Esther 2:10 kjv
Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
Esther 2:10 nkjv
Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it.
Esther 2:10 niv
Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.
Esther 2:10 esv
Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known.
Esther 2:10 nlt
Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had directed her not to do so.
Esther 2 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:13 | Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you... | Abraham's strategic concealment for protection. |
| Exod 2:3 | ...put the child in it and laid it among the reeds by the river's bank. | Moses' mother hides him for safety. |
| Deut 7:6 | For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. | God's people are a distinct nation. |
| Prov 10:19 | When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. | Wisdom in restraint and few words. |
| Prov 11:13 | Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. | Value of discretion and keeping secrets. |
| Prov 12:23 | A prudent man conceals knowledge, but a fool parades his folly. | Wisdom in hiding knowledge when appropriate. |
| Prov 15:23 | A man finds joy in giving an apt reply, and a word in season—how good it is! | Knowing when to speak and when to be silent. |
| Prov 29:11 | A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. | The wisdom of self-control in revealing oneself. |
| Isa 43:10 | "You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen..." | Israel's identity as God's chosen people. |
| Dan 1:8 | But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself... | Discretion and standing firm in faith in exile. |
| Matt 10:16 | "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." | Wisdom and discretion for God's servants. |
| Matt 12:16 | And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. | Jesus' instruction for temporary concealment. |
| Luke 4:41 | ...and he rebuked them and would not permit them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. | Jesus sometimes limited revelation for purpose. |
| Rom 9:4-5 | They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law... | The identity and privileges of Israel. |
| Rom 11:25-26 | ...a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved... | God's ultimate plan for Israel's identity. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. | Principle of obedience to authority figures. |
| 1 Cor 7:20 | Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. | General principle of remaining in one's state. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Spiritual identity in Christ supersedes ethnic. |
| Col 3:20 | Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. | Principle of obedience to parental authority. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name... | Ultimate revelation and glorification of Christ. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession... | Identity of God's New Testament people. |
Esther 2 verses
Esther 2 10 Meaning
Esther 2:10 describes Esther's strategic concealment of her Jewish ethnic and familial identity, an action directly commanded by Mordecai, her guardian. This secrecy was a deliberate act of protection and discretion in the foreign Persian court. Her people (ʿammah – nation) referred to her being a Jew, while her kindred (moladtah – family/origin) pointed to her specific lineage within that people. Mordecai's charge (tzivah – a strong command) indicated his foresight and concern for her safety and position.
Esther 2 10 Context
This verse is situated early in the book of Esther, following Queen Vashti's dismissal and the subsequent search for a new queen. Esther, an orphaned Jewish girl, had been taken into the king's harem. The selection process was underway, where various young women were brought to the palace. This instruction from Mordecai is given as Esther enters the royal house, before she is presented to the king. The context emphasizes the vulnerable position of a non-Persian, especially a Jew, in the politically charged and ethnically diverse environment of the Persian court. This secrecy would prove pivotal for God's divine plan later in the narrative when Haman attempts to annihilate the Jewish people. The book of Esther famously does not explicitly mention God, but His providential hand is evident in such strategic moments, working through seemingly secular circumstances and human discretion.
Esther 2 10 Word analysis
Esther (אֶסְתֵּר - 'Estēr): Her Jewish name was Hadassah (הֲדַסָּה), meaning "myrtle." Her adopted Persian name, Esther, is linked to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar or the Persian word for star. The shift in name reflects her immersion into a foreign culture and palace life.
had not made known (וְלֹא הִגִּידָה - wĕlōʾ higgīḏāh): Hebrew verb naggid, "to declare" or "make known," in the Hiphil imperfect form with negative, implying an active decision and consistent action of concealment. It signifies a deliberate and continuous non-disclosure.
her people (עַמָּהּ - 'ammāh): Refers to her ethnic group, her nation. In this context, it unequivocally signifies her being a Jew, part of the covenant people of Israel.
nor her kindred (וְאֶת-מֽוֹלַדְתָּהּ - wĕʾet-mōlaḏtāh): Moladeta means her origin, birthplace, or family lineage/relations. This goes beyond general ethnicity to specify her immediate family connections and roots.
for Mordecai (כִּי מָרְדֳּכַי - kî Mārdoḵay): Mordecai was Esther's cousin and adoptive guardian (Esth 2:7). He served at the king's gate and played a pivotal role in her life. His foresight is critical for the unfolding of events.
had charged (צִוָּה - tziwāh): Hebrew verb tsawah, meaning "to command," "charge," or "appoint," in the Piel perfect. This indicates a strong, authoritative, and binding instruction given with clear purpose and parental weight.
her that she should not make it known (אֲשֶׁר לֹא תַגִּיד - 'ašer lōʾ taḡgīḏ): This repetition of the verb "to make known" (here in the Hiphil imperfect with negative) emphasizes the strictness and importance of Mordecai's command, reinforcing that the non-disclosure was intentional and directed.
"Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred": This phrase highlights Esther's intentional action of hiding her true identity. It's a strategic act of self-preservation and perhaps preparation for a divinely ordained, though yet unknown, future purpose.
"for Mordecai had charged her that she should not make it known": This clause provides the motivation and authority behind Esther's actions, demonstrating her obedience to her wise guardian and highlighting Mordecai's prudence in a perilous environment. His instruction stemmed from protective wisdom, recognizing potential danger or disadvantage for a Jewish girl in a pagan court, setting the stage for later dramatic revelations.
Esther 2 10 Bonus section
The hiddenness of Esther's identity parallels the 'hiddenness' of God's direct intervention in the book of Esther itself, where divine providence works behind the scenes without overt miracles or prophetic pronouncements. This makes Esther a unique book in the biblical canon, teaching believers to discern God's hand even in ordinary, secular, or politically charged circumstances. This strategic concealment by Esther, under Mordecai's wise command, stands in contrast to scenarios where biblical figures were commanded to boldly proclaim their identity or faith, reminding us that wisdom dictates the proper course of action in specific contexts. This nuanced approach shows the importance of discernment in Christian life, understanding when to speak and when to remain silent, when to reveal and when to conceal, always guided by wisdom and divine leading for ultimate good.
Esther 2 10 Commentary
Esther 2:10 is a pivotal verse, though seemingly simple. It sets the stage for the dramatic unfolding of God's providence in the book of Esther. Esther's concealment of her Jewish identity was not an act of disloyalty to her people or her God, but rather a strategic decision mandated by Mordecai's wisdom. In a volatile imperial court, revealing one's unique ethnic or religious background could easily invite prejudice, scrutiny, or political targeting. Mordecai, acting as her parental authority, recognized the potential dangers, especially for an orphaned Jewess. This hidden identity becomes a critical factor in God's subtle workings throughout the narrative. It allowed Esther to gain favor and position without immediate exposure, enabling her to be exactly where she needed to be when the Jewish people faced extermination. The verse beautifully illustrates that God can use discretion and seemingly mundane human decisions to fulfill His greater, unrevealed purposes, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned.