King James Version

What Does Esther 10:2 Mean?

Esther 10:2 in the King James Version says “And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king adv... — study this verse from Esther chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Esther 10:2 · KJV


Context

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? advanced: Heb. made him great

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.

4

Then Mardocheus said, God hath done these things.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Persian royal chronicles are mentioned throughout biblical texts dealing with the Persian period (Ezra 4:15; Esther 2:23; 6:1). These official annals documented significant events, royal deeds, and notable servants' contributions. That Mordecai's achievements were recorded in imperial chronicles demonstrates his genuine historical significance—not merely Jewish legendary embellishment but Persian administrative recognition. Some scholars note that while Xerxes/Ahasuerus is well-attested historically, Mordecai and Esther aren't mentioned in surviving Persian sources (though most such records are fragmentary). The reference to chronicles serves narrative purposes even if those specific records haven't survived.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the appeal to external historical records demonstrate the author's confidence in the account's historical reliability?
  2. What does Mordecai's inclusion in imperial chronicles teach about how God's servants can achieve genuine historical significance while serving His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְכָל1 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַֽעֲשֵׂ֤ה2 of 20

And all the acts

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

תָקְפּוֹ֙3 of 20

of his power

H8633

might or (figuratively) positiveness

וּגְב֣וּרָת֔וֹ4 of 20

and of his might

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

וּפָֽרָשַׁת֙5 of 20

and the declaration

H6575

exposition

גְּדֻלַּ֣ת6 of 20

of the greatness

H1420

greatness; (concretely) mighty acts

מָרְדֳּכַ֔י7 of 20

of Mordecai

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

גִּדְּל֖וֹ9 of 20

advanced

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

לְמַלְכֵ֖י10 of 20

of the kings

H4428

a king

הֲלוֹא11 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הֵ֣ם12 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

כְּתוּבִ֗ים13 of 20

him are they not written

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

עַל14 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

סֵ֙פֶר֙15 of 20

in the book

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

דִּבְרֵ֣י16 of 20

of the chronicles

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַיָּמִ֔ים17 of 20
H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לְמַלְכֵ֖י18 of 20

of the kings

H4428

a king

מָדַ֥י19 of 20

of Media

H4074

madai, a country of central asia

וּפָרָֽס׃20 of 20

and Persia

H6539

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 10:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 10:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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