Discovery BoxEsther 3:15--4:1 
Context3:15 The messengers 1 scurried forth 2 with the king’s order. 3 The edict was issued in Susa the citadel. While the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in an uproar! 4
4:1 Now when Mordecai became aware of all that had been done, he 5 tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went out into the city, crying out in a loud 6 and bitter voice.
Esther 8:15
Context8:15 Now Mordecai went out from the king’s presence in purple and white royal attire, with a large golden crown and a purple linen mantle. The city of Susa shouted with joy. 7
1 tn Heb “runners.” So also in 8:10, 14. Cf. NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV “couriers.”
2 tn Or “went forth in haste” (so ASV).
3 tn Heb “with the word of the king.”
4 sn The city of Susa was in an uproar. This final statement of v. 15 is a sad commentary on the pathetic disregard of despots for the human misery and suffering that they sometimes inflict on those who are helpless to resist their power. Here, while common people braced for the reckless loss of life and property that was about to begin, the perpetrators went about their mundane activities as though nothing of importance was happening.
5 tn Heb “Mordecai.” The pronoun (“he”) was used in the translation for stylistic reasons. A repetition of the proper name here is redundant in terms of contemporary English style.
6 tn Heb “great.”
7 tn Heb “shouted and rejoiced.” The expression is a hendiadys (see the note on 5:10 for an explanation of this figure).
