Loading…
Mordecai (guardian of Esther)
Excerpt from the Lexham Bible Dictionary, the most advanced Bible dictionary.
Guardian of Esther. From the tribe of Benjamin. Often viewed to be the true hero of the story of Esther. Represents a model Jew surviving in the Diaspora.
Lexham Bible Dictionary
The most advanced Bible Dictionary
The most advanced Bible dictionary as a part of Biblia Plus, which includes everything you need to take your Bible study to the next level. For less than $1 a week, you'll get devotionals, Bible study guides, thematic studies, and much more!
Expand all
Dictionaries
The Lexham Bible Dictionary
Mordecai, Son of Jair
Mordecai, Esther’s Cousin, Son of Jair (מָרְדֹּכַי‎, mordokhay). Guardian of Esther. From the tribe of Benjamin. Often viewed to be the true hero of the story of Esther. Represents a model Jew surviving in the Diaspora.
The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary
Mordecai (Person)
MORDECAI (PERSON) [Heb mōrdĕkay (מֹרְדְּכַי‎); mōrdŏkay (מֹרְדֳּכַי‎)]. 1. A character in the book of Esther.a. Mordecai in the Hebrew Book of Esther. Mordecai is a central character of the book of Esther, second in importance only to Esther herself. While the credit for effecting the deliverance
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible
Mordecai
Mordecai. 1. Jewish leader during the exile. Our knowledge of Mordecai comes exclusively from the Book of Esther which, according to some rabbinic sources, Mordecai himself wrote. Mordecai’s activities are set against the period in which Xerxes (Ahasuerus) reigned over ancient Persia, a vast empire stretching
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised
Mordecai
Mordecai mor̀-de-kī [Heb mord—ḵay, mordeḵay; Gk Mardochaios]; AV Apoc. MARDOCHEUS; NEB Apoc. MARDOCHAEUS.1. A man who returned with Zerubbabel from exile (Ezr. 2:2; Neh. 7:7; 1 Esd. 5:8).2. One of the two central characters in the book of Esther.
Tyndale Bible Dictionary
Mordecai
MORDECAI1. Jewish leader during the exile. Our knowledge of Mordecai comes exclusively from the book of Esther, which, according to some rabbinic sources, Mordecai himself wrote. Mordecai’s activities are set against the period in which Xerxes (Ahasuerus) reigned over ancient Persia, a vast empire stretching
The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated)
Mordecai
Mordecai (mor´duh-ki; from Akkadian Marduk, Merodach).1 One of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2; Neh. 7:7; 1 Esd. 5:8).2 The uncle and foster father of Esther, who was the queen of King Ahasuerus of Persia (Esther 2:5, 7). Mordecai aroused the anger of the king’s vizier,
The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia
Mordecai
MORDECAI. The name (from Akkad. Marduk, god of Babylon) given to two biblical characters.1. A leader among the exiles who returned from Babylonia to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:2; cf. Neh 7:7).2. One of the Heb. exiles who occupied a position of high responsibility in the Persian Empire, as told
The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition
Mordecai
MORDECAI (Heb. mordeḵay; mordoḵay; Ezr. 2:2).1. A leader of the exiles who returned with Zerubbabel (Ezr. 2:2; Ne. 7:7; 1 Esdras 5:8).2. A Jewish exile who had moved to the Persian capital *Susa, where he was employed in the palace. He was a Benjaminite son of Jair and descendant of Kish, taken prisoner
Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible
Mordecai
Mordecai (Heb. mordoḵay, mordĕḵay)1. A character in the book of Esther who is identified as Esther’s cousin and who becomes her foster father (Esth, 2:5, 7). Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman, the highest official of the Persian king Ahasuerus, causes Haman to plan a pogrom of all Persian Jews.
Catholic Bible Dictionary
Mordecai
MORDECAI One of the main figures in the book of Esther, and the cousin and guardian of Esther. A Jew living in the royal city of Susa, one of the Persian capitals (Esth 2:5), Mordecai was the son of Jair, a descendant of Kish, and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. Exiled by the Babylonians, he worked
Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Mordeca-i
Mor´deca-i (little man, or worshipper of Mars), the deliverer, under divine Providence, of the Jews from the destruction plotted against them by Haman the chief minister of Xerxes; the institutor of the feast of Purim. The incidents of his history are too well known to need to be dwelt upon. [Esther.]
See also
Relatives
Jair Father
Esther Cousin
Shimei Grandfather
Abihail Uncle
Roles
Court official
Related
Susa