Esther10
World English Bible · Public Domain
1King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.
2Aren’t all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
3For Mordecai the Jew was next to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and accepted by the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his descendants.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Esther 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Greatness of Ahasuerus—Mordecai's advancement. (1-3).
vv1-3
Many instances of the grandeur of Ahasuerus might have been given: these were written in the Persian chronicles, which are long since lost, while the sacred writings will live till time shall be no more. The concerns of the despised worshippers of the Lord are deemed more important by the Holy Spirit, than the exploits of the most illustrious monarch on earth. Mordecai was truly great, and his greatness gave him opportunities of doing the more good. He did not disown his people the Jews, and no doubt kept to the true religion. He did not seek his own wealth, but the welfare of his people. Few have it in their power to do so much good as Mordecai; but all have it in their power to do hurt, and who has it not in his power to do some good? We are not required to do what is not in our power, or is unsuited to our station; but all are bound to live under the influence of the tempers displayed in the saints, whose examples are recorded in the Bible. If we live by the faith of Christ, we shall be active according to the ability and opportunities he gives us, in promoting his glory and the best interests of men. If our faith be genuine, it will work by love. Wait in faith and prayer, and the event will be safe and glorious; our salvation is sure, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Key Words
מֶלֶךְ: a king
אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ: Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a Persian king
שׂוּם: to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
מַס: properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e. a tax in the form of forced labor
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אִי: properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island
יָם: a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַעֲשֶׂה: an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
תֹּקֶף: might or (figuratively) positiveness
Cross References
Esther 10Like Joseph under Pharaoh, Mordecai is elevated to the position of second in the kingdom.
Supported by JFB
Connects directly back to the summary of Mordecai's growing power and fame in the empire.
Supported by JFB
Contrast Mordecai's pursuit of his people's welfare with Sanballat's grief over Jewish prosperity.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms the vast, continental scope of Ahasuerus' empire from the book's opening.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illustrates Mordecai's character in seeking the peace and prosperity of his brethren.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Refers back to the royal chronicles where memorable events and records were officially preserved.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the sudden providential elevation of exiled Hebrew believers to high pagan office.
Supported by JFB
Thematic parallel of kings levying tribute and gifts upon distant islands.
Supported by Matthew Poole