About Esther

Esther shows God's providence in protecting His people through a Jewish queen, though His name is never mentioned.

Author: UnknownWritten: c. 470-424 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 13
ProvidenceCourageDeliveranceIdentityReversalFaithfulness

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Media(Region)Persia(Region)

King James Version

Esther 10

13 verses with commentary

The Greatness of Mordecai

1

And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.

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And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. The book's final chapter begins not with Mordecai or Esther but with Ahasuerus's taxation. This seemingly mundane administrative detail serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates the king's continuing sovereignty and the empire's stability after the crisis; it shows life returning to normal administrative functions; and it provides context for Mordecai's role in this administration. The "tribute upon the land and upon the isles of the sea" indicates comprehensive taxation throughout the empire's vast extent. This detail suggests prosperity—the empire could bear taxation and the king could effectively collect it. The return to normal governance demonstrates that the Jewish crisis and its resolution didn't destabilize the empire.
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? advanced: Heb. made him great

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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? The verse references official Persian chronicles documenting both the king's mighty acts and Mordecai's greatness. This formula parallels how Kings and Chronicles reference royal annals (1 Kings 14:19, 29; 2 Chronicles 25:26). The placement of "Mordecai's greatness" alongside the king's acts indicates Mordecai's enormous significance—second only to the king (10:3). The rhetorical question "are they not written?" asserts this information's historical reliability and accessibility. Later readers could consult Persian records confirming the account. This appeal to external sources strengthens Esther's historical credibility.
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.

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Mordecai's legacy: '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 book's final verse establishes Mordecai's elevation to second-in-command (like Joseph in Egypt) and his use of power for his people's benefit. The phrase 'seeking the wealth of his people' shows servant leadership prioritizing others' good. 'Speaking peace to all his seed' indicates comprehensive concern for Jewish welfare across generations. This demonstrates God's pattern of positioning faithful people in authority to benefit His covenant people, foreshadowing Christ's eternal reign benefiting His church.
4

Then Mardocheus said, God hath done these things.

5

For I remember a dream which I saw concerning these matters, and nothing thereof hath failed.

6

A little fountain became a river, and there was light, and the sun, and much water: this river is Esther, whom the king married, and made queen:

7

And the two dragons are I and Aman.

8

And the nations were those that were assembled to destroy the name of the Jews:

9

And my nation is this Israel, which cried to God, and were saved: for the Lord hath saved his people, and the Lord hath delivered us from all those evils, and God hath wrought signs and great wonders, which have not been done among the Gentiles.

10

Therefore hath he made two lots, one for the people of God, and another for all the Gentiles.

11

And these two lots came at the hour, and time, and day of judgment, before God among all nations.

12

So God remembered his people, and justified his inheritance.

13

Therefore those days shall be unto them in the month Adar, the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the same month, with an assembly, and joy, and with gladness before God, according to the generations for ever among his people.

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