Background and Lineage:
Mordecai is a prominent figure in the Book of Esther, which is part of the Ketuvim, the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and is also included in the Christian Old Testament. He is introduced as a Jew living in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, during the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus). Mordecai is identified as the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite (Esther 2:5). This lineage connects him to the tribe of Benjamin, the same tribe as King Saul, which is significant in understanding the historical enmity between Mordecai and Haman, a descendant of Agag, the Amalekite king.

Role in the Book of Esther:
Mordecai is best known for his role as the cousin and adoptive father of Esther, who becomes queen of Persia. After Esther's parents died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter (Esther 2:7). His position in the king's gate (Esther 2:19) suggests he held some official capacity, possibly as a minor court official or a member of the king's administration.

Key Events and Actions:

1. The Plot Against the King:
Mordecai's loyalty to King Xerxes is demonstrated when he uncovers a plot by two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, to assassinate the king. Mordecai informs Esther, who in turn reports it to the king, crediting Mordecai (Esther 2:21-23). This act of loyalty is recorded in the royal chronicles, which later plays a crucial role in Mordecai's rise to prominence.

2. Conflict with Haman:
Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman, the king's newly appointed prime minister, sets off a chain of events that become central to the narrative. Mordecai's refusal is rooted in his Jewish faith and possibly the historical enmity between their ancestors (Esther 3:2-4). Haman's anger leads him to plot the destruction of all Jews in the Persian Empire, resulting in the issuance of a royal decree for their annihilation (Esther 3:5-13).

3. Intercession and Deliverance:
Mordecai's response to the decree is one of mourning and fasting, and he urges Esther to intercede with the king on behalf of her people (Esther 4:1-14). His famous words to Esther, "And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14), highlight his faith in divine providence and the belief that Esther's position as queen is part of God's plan for the salvation of the Jewish people.

4. The Reversal of Fortune:
Through Esther's courageous intervention, the king is made aware of Haman's plot, and Haman is executed on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:9-10). Mordecai is then elevated to a position of high honor, taking Haman's place as prime minister (Esther 8:1-2). He issues a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves, leading to their victory over their enemies (Esther 8:11-17).

5. Establishment of Purim:
Mordecai's actions and the subsequent deliverance of the Jews lead to the establishment of the Feast of Purim, a celebration of the Jews' survival and God's deliverance. Mordecai sends letters to all the Jews in the provinces of the Persian Empire, instructing them to observe the 14th and 15th days of Adar as days of feasting and joy (Esther 9:20-22).

Legacy:
Mordecai's legacy is one of faithfulness, courage, and leadership. His account is a testament to God's providence and the importance of standing firm in one's faith. The Book of Esther concludes with Mordecai's continued influence and his work for the welfare of his people, as he is described as "second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews" (Esther 10:3).4782. Mordekay -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of ...
... a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther. Transliteration: Mordekay Phonetic
Spelling: (mor-dek-ah'-ee) Short Definition: Mordecai. ... Mordecai. ...
/hebrew/4782.htm - 6k

Esther's Venture
... THE BOOK OF ESTHER ESTHER'S VENTURE. 'Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him
commandment unto Mordecai: 11. ... And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.13. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/esthers venture.htm

Esther, the Queen.
... There was in Shushan a Jew named Mordecai, who had been brought away from Jerusalem
with the captives when Nebuchadnezzar conquered the city. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxiv esther the queen.htm

Queen Esther's Love for Her People
... There was in the royal palace at Susa, a certain Jew named Mordecai, who had been
carried away from Jerusalem with the captives by Nebuchadrezzar, the king of ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/queen esthers love for her.htm

Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.
... While Esther stands out as the principal character, the whole story turns on the
refusal of Mordecai to bow down to Haman, which would have been to show him ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xi ezra nehemiah and.htm

Of Querulousness.
... Our discontents are usually such as Ahab's for his neighbor's vineyard, Haman's
for Mordecai's obeisance, Achitophel's for having his counsel rejected. ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section x of querulousness.htm

The Net Spread
... But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.3. Then the king's servants which
were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the net spread.htm

Esther
... Presently the whole Jewish race is imperilled by an act of Mordecai, the
foster-father of Esther, who refuses to do obeisance to Haman, a powerful and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/esther.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... His choice falls upon a Jewish maiden, a daughter of the Exile, who has been
brought up by her cousin Mordecai. Esther, at Mordecai's ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

Questions.
... 5. Why would not Mordecai bow down to Haman? 6. What benefit did Mordecai do
the king? 7. How did Haman seek revenge for Mordecai's scorn? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Historical Books.
... The book closes with an account of the establishment, under the auspices of Mordecai
and Esther, of the feast of Purim, in commemoration of the deliverance ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Mordecai's (6 Occurrences)
...Mordecai's (6 Occurrences). ... Esther 2:22 This thing became known to Mordecai, who
informed Esther the queen; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name. ...
/m/mordecai's.htm - 8k

Mordecai (52 Occurrences)
...Mordecai refused to bow down before him; and Haman, being stung to the quick by
the conduct of Mordecai, resolved to accomplish his death in a wholesale ...
/m/mordecai.htm - 28k

Xerxes (24 Occurrences)
... Esther 2:21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate, two of
the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and ...
/x/xerxes.htm - 14k

Disdained (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Esther 3:6 But he scorned the thought of laying
hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai's people. ...
/d/disdained.htm - 8k

Mor'decai's (1 Occurrence)
Mor'decai's. Mordecai's, Mor'decai's. More . Multi-Version Concordance
Mor'decai's (1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Mordecai's, Mor'decai's. More . Reference ...
/m/mor'decai's.htm - 6k

Scorned (18 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Esther 3:6 But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai
alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai's people. ...
/s/scorned.htm - 11k

Ahasuerus (28 Occurrences)
... Esther 2:21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate, two of
the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and ...
/a/ahasuerus.htm - 17k

Informed (39 Occurrences)
... Esther 2:22 This thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the queen;
and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name. (WEB NAS). ...
/i/informed.htm - 17k

Mor'decai (51 Occurrences)
... Mordecai, Mor'decai. Mordecai's . ... Ezra 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua,
Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. ...
/m/mor'decai.htm - 20k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). Esther 3:6 But he scorned the thought of laying hands on
Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai's people. ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Who was Mordecai in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Esther was appointed “for such a time as this”? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Haman the Agagite? | GotQuestions.org

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