Bible Strands
Esther 10:3
For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator closes the book of Esther by summarizing Mordecai’s political elevation and public ministry immediately following the Jewish deliverance and the institution of Purim.
The words — מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh) literally means “second” or “next in rank,” and גָדוֹל (gadol) translates as “great” or “preeminent.”
The thread — The text places Mordecai’s intercessory work alongside Nehemiah 2:10, Romans 10:1, and Romans 14:18.
Why it lands — The text states that Mordecai held the highest civil rank under the Persian crown and actively sought his people’s welfare while promoting peace to all citizens. The passage requires readers to evaluate whether their own influence is directed toward communal benefit or self-interest.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 2:10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.
- Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.
- Romans 14:18 For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
- Genesis 41:40 You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
- Genesis 41:43 He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.
- 2 Chronicles 28:7 Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the son of the king, Azrikam the governor of the palace, and Elkanah the second to the king.
- Psalms 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.
- Daniel 5:29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
- 1 Samuel 23:17 saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.”
- Esther 3:2 All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.