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Mordecai

the one who would not bow down

Who was Mordecai?

The name
A note in the NAB says it is a Babylonian name, taken from the god Marduk. NAB note on Est 11, 2
Occupation
He served at the king’s court; in the end, he was second only to the king Esther 11:3; Esther 10:3
Mordecai, an artistic recreation

What the Bible says

Esther 2:5-7

5There was a man in the city of Susan, a Jew, named Mardochai, the son of Jair, the son of Semei, the son of Cis, of the race of Jemini, 6Who had been carried away from Jerusalem at the time that Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon carried away Jechonias king of Juda, 7And he had brought up his brother’s daughter Edissa, who by another name was called Esther: now she had lost both her parents: and was exceeding fair and beautiful. And her father and mother being dead, Mardochai adopted her for his daughter.

Esther 3:2; Esther 13:14

And all the king’s servants, that were at the doors of the palace, bent their knees, and worshipped Aman: for so the emperor had commanded them, only Mardochai did not bend his knee, nor worship him.

Esther 4:8; Esther 10:3

He gave him also a copy of the edict which was hanging up in Susan, that he should shew it to the queen, and admonish her to go in to the king, and to entreat him for her people.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Mordecai

  1. Before Jesus. Mordecai was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin. He was among the captives Nebuchadnezzar took from Jerusalem. Esther 11:2-4
  2. Before Jesus. He raised his relative Esther as his own daughter, because she had no father or mother. Esther 2:7
  3. Before Jesus. He discovered that two guards wanted to attack the king. He told Esther, and she warned the king in Mordecai’s name. Esther 2:21-22
  4. Before Jesus. After that warning, the king gave Mordecai a post at court and rewarded him for what he had done. Esther 12:5
  5. With Jesus. He would not kneel before Haman. In his prayer he explained why: he did not want to give a man the honor that belongs to God. Esther 3:2; Esther 13:12-14
  6. With Jesus. When he learned of the decree against the Jews, he put on sackcloth and ashes. He asked Esther to go and see the king. Esther 4:1, 8
  7. With Jesus. Mordecai sent word to Esther not to keep silent. He asked her whether she had not become queen for just such a time as this. Esther 4:13-14
  8. With Jesus. One night, the king learned that Mordecai had saved his life. He ordered Haman to lead Mordecai through the city in royal robes. Esther 6:1-3, 10-11
  9. With Jesus. Haman had set up a very tall gallows to hang Mordecai. In the end, the king had Haman hanged on it. Esther 5:14; Esther 7:9-10
  10. Afterward. The king gave Mordecai the royal ring that had been Haman’s. Mordecai wrote letters so that the feast of Purim would be celebrated every year. Esther 8:2; Esther 9:20-21
  11. Afterward. Mordecai came out of the palace dressed like the king, with a golden crown. The whole city celebrated. Esther 8:15
  12. Afterward. He was second only to the king. He sought the good of his people and spoke of peace. Esther 10:3

Words of Mordecai

“Think not that thou mayst save thy life only, because thou art in the king’s house, more than all the Jews: for if thou wilt now hold thy peace, the Jews shall be delivered by some other occasion: and thou, and thy father’s house shall perish. And who knoweth whether thou art not therefore come to the kingdom, that thou mightest be ready in such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14

To Esther, when she was afraid to go before the king.

“Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that it was not out of pride and contempt, or any desire of glory, that I refused to worship the proud Aman… But I feared lest I should transfer the honour of my God to a man, and lest I should adore any one except my God.” Esther 13:12-14

In his prayer, explaining why he would not kneel before Haman.

“God hath done these things.” Esther 10:4

At the very end, remembering a dream he had had.

What they were like

The greatest thing they did

Not to be confused with

What people ask

Why wouldn’t he kneel before Haman?

In his prayer he says it was not out of pride. He did not want to give a man the honor he gave only to God. Esther 13:12-14; NAB note on Est 3, 2

Why did he walk in front of the palace every day?

To find out how Esther was doing and what would happen to her. Esther 2:11

What did Mordecai dream?

He dreamed of two great dragons and of a little spring that became a river. In the end he understood that the river was Esther, and the dragons were Haman and himself. Esther 11:6, 10; Esther 10:6-7

How did the king reward him?

He had him led through the city in royal robes, on the king’s own horse. Later he gave him the royal ring. Esther 6:10-11; Esther 8:2

Why didn’t Esther say which people she belonged to?

Because Mordecai had asked her not to, and Esther did what he told her. The Bible does not explain why he asked. Esther 2:10, 20

What did Mordecai do when Esther asked them to fast for her?

He gathered the Jews of Susa and did everything Esther had asked: three days of prayer and fasting before she went to see the king. Esther 4:16-17

Little known After being led through the square, he went back to his place at the king’s gate. Esther 6:12 At the end of his story, he said it had…

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Who Mordecai is connected to

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