Esther 10
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Est 10:1-3 1Now King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. 2And all the accomplishments of his authority and strength, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia? 3For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and in favor with his many kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation.
Est 10:1 “laid a tribute on the land and on the coastlands of the sea” Xerxes I lost the Aegean islands in his Greek campaign, but apparently retained some islands off of the coast of Europe and some off of the coast of Egypt and Palestine. However, this verse is meant to show the greatness of Ahasuerus in his taxing program (only here, later meaning of “tribute” [BDB 58:6 I], which originally meant “forced labor,” e.g., Gen 49:15 ; Jos 16:10 ; Jos 17:13 ; 1Ki 4:6 ; 1Ki 5:13-14 ; 1Ki 12:18 ; 2Ch 10:18 , cf. TEV, NET), which was desperately needed after the Persian wars. It is a closing comment on Mordecai as a good administrator (cf. Est 10:2 ). Mordecai helped his people, but also was a faithful servant of Xerxes (cf. Est 10:3 ) and helped the whole nation (like Daniel and his three friends).
In II Maccabees the feast of Purim is known as the feast of Mordecai (cf. 2Ma 15:36 ), which shows the historicity of the book of Esther and the greatness of Mordecai in Jewish tradition.
Mordecai was not second in command for an extended period of time (possibly only 8 years), if secular history is to be trusted.
Est 10:2 “the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia” This does not refer to the biblical books of I & 2 Chr., but could refer to
1. the official court documents which were kept and archived (“Media and Persia” gives credence to this view)
2. a personal diary of Xerxes (cf. Est 2:23 ; Est 6:1 )
3. a Jewish account of Jewish life in Persia (easier access to a Jewish leader)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. What is the purpose of the king's signet ring?
2. Does Est 8:17 describe a large scale conversion to Judaism?
3. Why did the Jews not seize the plunder of those who hated them (cf. Est 9:10 )?
4. How many people did the Jews kill? What was the Jewish loss?
5. What is the purpose of the Esther 9, 10?
