Hebrew Exegesis: Esther 4:9-17 Translation So Hathach returned, from the King’s gate where Mordecai was mourning , and relayed Mordecai’s charge to Esther. Esther replied, “Everyone knows, the servants and the people of the provinces, that if a man or woman enters into the inner court of the King without having been summoned that there is a law which says that all, including me the Queen , will be put to death. The one exception is if the King holds out his golden scepter to that person then they can live. I have not been summoned by the King in thirty days.” They told Mordecai what Esther said and he responded to her by saying, “Don’t think that you will be spared (from decree /death) because you are in the King’s palace - over all the other Jews. Should you choose to remain silent, at this time, help and rescue for the Jews will come from elsewhere but you and your Father’s House will perish . Could it be that you are Queen , in this kingdom, at this time for this very