King James Version

What Does Esther 2:6 Mean?

Esther 2:6 in the King James Version says “Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, who...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. Jeconiah: or, Jehoiachin”

Esther 2:6 · KJV

Context

4

And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

5

Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;

6

Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. Jeconiah: or, Jehoiachin

7

And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful ; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. brought: Heb. nourished fair: Heb. fair of form, and good of countenance

8

So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. This verse provides historical context for Mordecai's presence in Persia, tracing his family's exile to the Babylonian captivity under Jeconiah (2 Kings 24:8-17). The threefold repetition of "carried away" emphasizes the traumatic displacement that defines Jewish existence in Esther—they are exiles, strangers in a foreign land. The pronoun likely refers to his ancestor Kish or the general family line, as Mordecai personally being exiled in 597 BCE would make him impossibly old during Esther's time. Hebrew narrative sometimes uses collective/ancestral references. This exile context explains the theological tension in Esther: God's covenant people living outside the Promised Land, integrated into pagan empire, apparently distant from temple worship. Yet God's providence operates even in diaspora, demonstrating that His faithfulness transcends geographical boundaries.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The exile reference connects Esther to larger biblical narrative. Nebuchadnezzar's initial deportation of Jeconiah (597 BCE) preceded Jerusalem's final destruction (586 BCE) and marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile. When Cyrus conquered Babylon (539 BCE) and issued his decree allowing Jews to return to Judah (Ezra 1:1-4), many chose to remain in Mesopotamia where they had established lives. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah document those who returned, but Esther represents the many who stayed. This diaspora community faced unique challenges: maintaining Jewish identity without temple, land, or independent political structure, yet also unique opportunities: influence within the dominant empire. The reference to Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon reminds readers of God's sovereignty over empires.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the exile context inform our understanding of living faithfully as God's people in cultures that don't acknowledge Him?
  2. What does Jewish survival and influence during exile teach about God's ability to accomplish His purposes outside normal religious structures?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
אֲשֶׁ֤ר1 of 16
H834

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

הֶגְלָ֔ה2 of 16

“Who had been carried away”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

מִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יִם3 of 16

“from Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

עִם4 of 16
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַגֹּלָה֙5 of 16

“with the captivity”

H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 16
H834

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

הֶגְלָ֔ה7 of 16

“Who had been carried away”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

עִ֖ם8 of 16
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יְכָנְיָ֣ה9 of 16

“with Jeconiah”

H3204

jekonjah, a jewish king

מֶ֥לֶךְ10 of 16

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֑ה11 of 16

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 16
H834

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

הֶגְלָ֔ה13 of 16

“Who had been carried away”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר14 of 16

“whom Nebuchadnezzar”

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶ֥לֶךְ15 of 16

“king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶֽל׃16 of 16

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

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 2:6 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 2:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 24:14-152 Chronicles 36:20Jeremiah 24:12 Kings 24:62 Chronicles 36:9-10Jeremiah 22:24

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Esther 2 →

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