Who Was Mordecai in the Bible?
Who Was Mordecai in the Bible? Mordecai was a Jewish exile in Persia who raised his cousin Esther and uncovered a plot to destroy the Jews, leading to their deliverance.
Key verse: Esther 2:7 (KJV)
Mordecai was a Jewish exile in Persia who raised his cousin Esther and uncovered a plot to destroy the Jews, leading to their deliverance.
Mordecai was a Jewish exile in Persia who raised his cousin Esther and uncovered a plot to destroy the Jews, leading to their deliverance.
"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." — Esther 2:7 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Mordecai was a Benjamite living in Susa, the capital of Persia, who had taken his young cousin Esther into his home after her parents died. When King Ahasuerus sought a new queen, Mordecai instructed Esther not to reveal her Jewish identity. He also uncovered a plot against the king's life and reported it. But his refusal to bow to Haman — the king's highest official — triggered a genocidal decree against all Jews. Mordecai sent word to Esther: 'Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?' He organized fasting and prayer, and when Esther risked her life to approach the king, Haman was exposed and hanged. Mordecai was promoted to Haman's position, and he issued a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. Mordecai represents faithful courage, strategic wisdom, and the conviction that God preserves His people even in exile.
Key Scripture References
"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."
"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
"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."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Was Esther?
Esther was a Jewish orphan who became queen of Persia and courageously saved her people from genocide, showing God's providence even when He works behind the scenes.
Who Was Haman in the Bible?
Haman was the Agagite official whose plot to annihilate the Jews was foiled by Esther and Mordecai, leading to his own execution.
What Is Purim?
Purim is the annual feast celebrating God's deliverance of the Jews from Haman's plot to destroy them, as recorded in the book of Esther.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Deep Dive Commentary
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The answer above sits inside Esther. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Esther on day 267 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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