Esther 10 2

Esther 10:2 kjv

And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

Esther 10:2 nkjv

Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the 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?

Esther 10:2 niv

And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia?

Esther 10:2 esv

And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor 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?

Esther 10:2 nlt

His great achievements and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Media and Persia.

Esther 10 verses

Esther 10 2 Meaning

Esther 10:2 states that the great and mighty deeds of King Ahasuerus, along with the complete account of Mordecai's exaltation by the king, are officially recorded in the national archives, specifically the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia. This verse serves as an authenticating postscript, confirming the historical veracity and official nature of the events described in the book, particularly Mordecai's significant role and power within the Persian Empire. It subtly underscores the unseen hand of divine providence in securing the Jewish people's future through an appointed individual and through the records of pagan rulers.

Esther 10 2 Context

Esther 10:2 concludes the book of Esther, forming part of its concise epilogue. Following the dramatic reversals and establishment of Purim in chapter 9, chapter 10 succinctly summarizes the new state of affairs within the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus. Verse 1 refers to the king's tribute across his vast empire, signifying continued stability and power. Verse 2 specifically acts as an archival reference, authenticating the narrative by appealing to official historical documents of Media and Persia. This technique, common in historical writings of the time and paralleled elsewhere in the Old Testament books of Kings and Chronicles, lends credibility to the extraordinary events of a Jewish exile rising to such prominence and influencing a pagan empire to save his people. It frames the entire story, implicitly revealing that even within the meticulously kept records of a powerful, pagan empire, God's providential work was tangibly evidenced through His servants.

Esther 10 2 Word analysis

• And all the acts: (וְכָל מַעֲשֵׂה – ve'khol ma'aseh)

  • "And all" (וְכָל - ve'khol): Signifies comprehensive coverage, emphasizing that the records include every significant event. This highlights the thoroughness of the royal archives.
  • "acts" (מַעֲשֵׂה - ma'aseh): Refers to deeds, works, or achievements. Here, it denotes specific actions of power and might.

• of his power and of his might: (תָקְפּוֹ וּגְבוּרָתוֹ – tokpo u'gevurato)

  • "power" (תֹּקֶף - tokef): Denotes strength, firmness, authority, especially royal authority or oppressive power. It implies the forceful exercise of his will.
  • "might" (גְּבוּרָה - gevurah): Valor, strength, effectiveness, especially in warfare or governance. Often used in conjunction with 'power' to convey the fullness of royal authority and ability. The pairing emphasizes the vast and unquestionable nature of Ahasuerus's imperial rule.

• and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai: (וּפָרָשַׁת גְּדֻלַּת מָרְדֳּכַי – u'parashat gedullat Mordecai)

  • "full account" (פָּרָשָׁה - parasha): Literally "exposition" or "detailed account". It suggests that Mordecai's achievements and elevation were not just passing mentions but recorded in elaborate detail, indicative of their profound impact and official recognition.
  • "greatness" (גְּדֻלָּה - gedullah): Refers to his high office, majesty, and honor. This signifies his significant elevation to a position of immense authority, second only to the king himself (Esth 10:3).

• to which the king advanced him: (אֲשֶׁר גִּדְּלוֹ הַמֶּלֶךְ – asher giddelo ha'melekh)

  • This phrase directly attributes Mordecai's rise to the king's action. While God's unseen hand orchestrated the events, the narrative explicitly notes the human agent (the king) as the means of elevation. It highlights a pragmatic and administrative acknowledgement.

• are they not written: (הֲלֹא כְתוּבִים – halo k'tuvim)

  • "Are they not..." (הֲלֹא - halo): This is a rhetorical question in Hebrew, strongly affirming that indeed, they are written. It's a powerful declarative statement, lending absolute certainty and historical authority to the claims made in the Book of Esther.

• in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?: (עַל סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים לְמַלְכֵי מָדַי וּפָרַס – al sefer divrei haYamim l'malkhei Madai u'Paras)

  • "Book of the Chronicles" (סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים - sefer divrei haYamim): Literally "book of the words of the days," this refers to official royal annals or state records. Such archives were meticulous and comprehensive, serving as official historical documentation of imperial actions and decrees.
  • "of the Kings of Media and Persia": Specifies the authority and geographical scope of these records, validating them as originating from the heart of the powerful dual empire. This further cements the historical context of the entire book, grounding it firmly within actual Persian history.

Words-group analysis:

• "all the acts of his power and of his might": This phrase encapsulates the king's absolute authority and extensive reach. It highlights the vast scope of the Persian Empire and its ruler's dominion. By including this, the text frames the events of Esther within a grand, well-documented historical context, showing that God works even within the sphere of human power and worldly kingdoms.
• "and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him": This section draws specific attention to Mordecai's unique status. His elevation was so significant that it warranted detailed inclusion within the very same royal chronicles that recorded the king's own might. This demonstrates the monumental nature of Mordecai's impact, a Jewish exile who became second-in-command of a superpower, indirectly affirming God's hand in protecting His people.
• "are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?": This rhetorical question functions as a powerful authentication statement for the entire Book of Esther. It asserts that the events depicted are not mere legends but verifiable history, drawing authority from known secular state records. This legitimizes the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people as part of actual recorded history, bolstering the faith of its readers in God's providence.

Esther 10 2 Bonus section

The reference to "the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia" reinforces the Book of Esther's historical claim. While these specific royal archives are no longer extant, their mention serves multiple critical purposes for the original audience and for believers today. It grounds the story in historical reality rather than mythology. It contrasts with the lack of explicit mention of God in the book; instead, it points to external, secular verification as evidence of the miraculous salvation experienced by the Jews. Furthermore, the inclusion of Mordecai's elevation alongside the king's acts of power suggests his status was truly unique and foundational to the kingdom's operation, placing him effectively as the "prime minister" (Esth 10:3) who greatly benefited his people and spoke peace to them. This detail underscores that God, though hidden, elevates individuals and uses human systems for His grander redemptive plan, reminding us that even the chronicles of nations, unknowing, bear witness to His work.

Esther 10 2 Commentary

Esther 10:2 concludes the book with a succinct and powerful statement affirming the historical accuracy and verifiable nature of the narrative. By referencing "the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia," the author grounds the extraordinary events of a Jewish exile rising to such prominence and orchestrating the deliverance of his people in the official annals of a powerful, pagan empire. This device was a common literary and historical practice, particularly within biblical literature, to validate events by pointing to external records. The verse ensures the reader understands that King Ahasuerus's immense power and Mordecai's unparalleled elevation were not fabricated tales but established facts of history, officially documented. It subtly reinforces the theme of God's unseen hand working sovereignly through secular governments and human agents, even when not explicitly named, to achieve His divine purposes for His people.