Who is Mordecai in the Bible?
Mordecai is a figure mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Esther. He is portrayed as a cousin and guardian of Esther, a Jewish queen of Persia. Mordecai plays a significant role in the story, as he advises Esther to conceal her Jewish identity and later encourages her to approach King Xerxes to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people.
The Bible Story of Mordecai
The Book of Esther describes how Mordecai's actions thwart a plot to destroy the Jewish people, orchestrated by Haman, a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire. Mordecai's courage and wisdom contribute to the salvation of the Jewish community, and the events are commemorated in the festival of Purim in Jewish tradition.
Background:
The story takes place during the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) in the Persian Empire.
The king holds a grand banquet, and during the festivities, he commands Queen Vashti to appear before the guests. However, she refuses, leading to her removal as queen.
On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger. (Esther 1:10-12)
Esther Becomes Queen:
In search of a new queen, a beauty contest is organized, and Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, is chosen and becomes the new queen without revealing her Jewish identity.
Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it. (Esther 2:2-4)
When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:15-17)
Haman's Plot:
Haman, a high-ranking official in the Persian court, becomes angry when Mordecai refuses to bow down to him.
All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. (Esther 3:2-4)
Haman plots to exterminate all the Jews in the empire and cast lots (pur) to determine the date for the massacre.
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. (Esther 3:5-6)
Mordecai's Loyalty:
Mordecai learns about Haman's evil plan and mourns in sackcloth and ashes.
Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. (Esther 3:13)
When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. (Esther 4:1)
He sends a message to Esther, urging her to approach the king and intercede for her people.
Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. (Esther 4:7-8)
Esther's Courage:
Initially hesitant due to the danger involved, Esther eventually decides to approach King Xerxes without being summoned—a risky move that could result in death.
Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” (Esther 4:10-11)
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:12-14)
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions. (Esther 4:15-17)
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The Banquet and Revelation:
Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet. During the banquet, she reveals her Jewish identity and informs the king about Haman's plot.
So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” (Esther 7:1-4)
Haman's Downfall:
King Xerxes is angered by Haman's plot to harm Esther and her people.
King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?” Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. (Esther 7:5-6)
Haman is eventually impaled on the pole he had prepared for Mordecai.
Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Impale him on it!” So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. (Esther 7:9-10)
Mordecai's Honor:
Mordecai is honored by the king and elevated to a high position in the Persian court.
That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate. (Esther 8:1-2)
A decree is issued allowing the Jews to defend themselves against any attackers.
Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king. The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. (Esther 8:10-11)
The Celebration of Purim:
The Jews successfully defend themselves, and the day of their deliverance is celebrated as the festival of Purim.
The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. (Esther 8:12-13)
Purim is observed annually with festivities, the reading of the Book of Esther, and acts of charity.
The Meaning of Mordecai in the Bible
Loyalty and Integrity: Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman, a high-ranking official, reflects his commitment to his principles and loyalty to God (Esther 3:2). This unwavering loyalty sets the stage for the events that follow.
Divine Providence: The story underscores the concept of divine providence, as Mordecai's actions and Esther's rise to queen are seen as part of God's plan to protect the Jewish people. Mordecai's presence in Esther's life plays a crucial role in the unfolding events.
Courage and Risk-taking: Mordecai's encouragement of Esther to approach the king without summons highlights themes of courage and risk-taking. Esther's bold move, influenced by Mordecai's advice, becomes a pivotal moment in the narrative (Esther 4:11, 4:16).
Strategic Thinking and Wisdom: Mordecai's strategic thinking is evident in his response to Haman's plot. He not only mourns and seeks divine intervention but also takes practical steps to communicate the danger to Esther. His wisdom contributes to the salvation of the Jewish people.
Honor and Elevation: Mordecai's eventual honor and elevation in the Persian court showcase the principle of divine justice. The one who sought harm against Mordecai ends up facing the consequences of his own plot, and Mordecai is rewarded for his righteousness (Esther 8:1-2).
Establishment of Purim: Mordecai's role in the establishment of the festival of Purim is a lasting legacy. The events of the story, including the Jews' deliverance and celebration, are commemorated annually in the Purim festival, emphasizing the importance of remembering and rejoicing in God's faithfulness.
Overall, Mordecai in the Bible contributes to the larger narrative of God's providence, human courage, and the triumph of good over evil. His story serves as a source of inspiration and reflection on principles such as loyalty, wisdom, and divine intervention.
Read more: Who was Esther in the Bible? Story and Significance
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