Bible Strands
Esther 9:4
For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes Mordecai’s rising status immediately after the Jews secure their lives against their enemies. The account occurs during the festival of Purim, following the royal decree that authorized Jewish self-defense.
The words — The Hebrew phrase גָדוֹל (gadol) translates literally as "great" and modifies Mordecai’s authority in the king’s house. The verb הוֹלֵךְ (holekh) means "was going" and describes the progressive spread of his reputation.
The thread — This pattern of escalating prominence mirrors the trajectory of David in 2 Samuel 3:1 and 1 Chronicles 11:9, and the widespread reputation of Joshua in Joshua 6:27. Each account notes a figure whose influence expands as political or divine favor increases.
Why it lands — The text records a historical shift in provincial loyalty toward Mordecai without attributing the change to moral virtue. It demands recognition that political fear and administrative compliance can rapidly alter the distribution of power.
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 was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 3:1 Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
- 1 Chronicles 11:9 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with him.
- Joshua 6:27 So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.
- 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
- 1 Chronicles 14:17 And David’s fame went out into every land, and the LORD caused all nations to fear him.
- Psalms 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.
- Psalms 18:43 You have delivered me from the strife of the people; You have made me the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.
- Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
- Zephaniah 3:19 Behold, at that time, I will deal with all who afflict you. I will save the lame and gather the scattered; and I will appoint praise and fame for the disgraced throughout the earth.
- Matthew 4:24 News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them.