Esther 10 KJV
1 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.
2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| מַס — mas | Verse 1 — “…the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute…” | “Tribute,” forced levy. | Mas (“tribute”) refers to compulsory taxation (“levy”). Ancient empires used tribute to consolidate dominion. The term reflects imperial authority. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, Vol. 4 (1891) |
| גְּבוּרָה — gevurah | Verse 2 — “…all the acts of his power…” | “Might,” strength. | Gevurah (“might”) emphasizes royal strength (“power”). Persian kings portrayed themselves as embodiments of might. The term highlights imperial grandeur. — C. F. Keil, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1888) |
| פַּרְשֶׁמֶשׁ — parshemesh | Verse 2 — “…and of his might…” | “Splendor,” magnificence. | Parshemesh (“splendor”) conveys majestic brilliance (“splendor/glory”). It depicts the cultural luxury of ancient Persia. The term communicates elevated status. — Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg, History of the Kingdom of God (1869) |
| מֹרְדֳּכַי — Mordochai | Verse 3 — “…for Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus…” | Proper name: “Little man,” or “Warrior.” | Mordochai (Mordecai) may derive from a Babylonian root (“little man/warrior”). His rise reflects divine providence. The term marks his honored identity. — Julius Fürst, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon (1867) |
| גָּדוֹל — gadol | Verse 3 — “…and great among the Jews…” | “Great,” important. | Gadol (“great/important”) signifies elevated rank (“great”). Mordecai’s greatness contrasts with earlier obscurity. The term signals divinely orchestrated reversal. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon (1857) |
| רָצוֹן — ratzon | Verse 3 — “…accepted of the multitude of his brethren…” | “Favor,” goodwill. | Ratzon (“favor”) indicates communal approval (“favor/goodwill”). Mordecai’s leadership promotes unity among the Jews. The term suggests harmony and blessing. — Samuel Rolles Driver, Introduction to the Literature of the OT (1891) |
| דֹּבֵר — dover | Verse 3 — “…seeking the wealth of his people…” | “Speaking,” advocating. | Dover (“one who speaks”) implies advocacy (“speaking/pleading”). Mordecai uses influence for communal welfare. The term connotes wise and just leadership. — Friedrich Delitzsch, Prolegomena zur hebräischen Grammatik (1886) |
| שָׁלוֹם — shalom | Verse 3 — “…speaking peace to all his seed.” | “Peace,” wholeness. | Shalom (“peace”) represents total well-being (“peace/wholeness”). Mordecai’s administration produces stability. The term suggests covenantal flourishing. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Psalms (1894) |
| טוֹב — tov | Verse 3 — “…seeking the good of his people…” | “Good,” welfare. | Tov (“good”) expresses moral and practical benefit (“good/welfare”). Mordecai pursues communal prosperity. The term reflects ethical governance. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon (1857) |
| זֶרַע — zera | Verse 3 — “…to all his seed.” | “Seed,” descendants. | Zera (“seed”) denotes offspring and future generations (“seed/descendants”). Mordecai’s legacy extends beyond his era. The term emphasizes generational blessing. — C. F. Keil, Commentary on the Old Testament (1888) |
ESTHER 10: Promotion comes from God
Memory verse: Esther 10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
The idea that God can raise and promote anyone is one of the most profound and inspirational teachings in the Bible. There are several instances of God working through regular people to accomplish unbelievable things throughout the Bible. God has repeatedly shown his ability to promote and raise up leaders and agents of change from unlikely places, from Moses, an unconfident shepherd before becoming the leader of Israel, to David, a meek shepherd kid before becoming a king.
Mordecai is a notable example. An ordinary gatekeeper who was raised and promoted to become the one who was next to the king. This is a reminder that God can promote anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, to accomplish his will.
Finally, it's crucial to draw emphasis on similarities in the lives of the aforementioned biblical examples. Humility and seeking God’s face are major prerequisites to enlisting in God's promotion scheme. God does not show favoritism based on wealth, status, or power, but rather he exalts those who are humble and seek Him. (Psalms 75:6-7, 1 Samuel 2:8).
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