Apparently it was Kish, Mordecai"s great-grandfather, who went into captivity with Jehoiachin ( Esther 2:5-6). [1] This means Mordecai and Esther were probably descendants of the leading citizens of Jerusalem who went into exile in597 B.C, perhaps nobility (cf. 2 Kings 24:12). [source][source][source]
Mordecai"s name is Persian, as is Esther"s, and it has connections with the god Marduk. [2] All the same, it was common for the Jews in captivity to receive and to use pagan names (cf. Daniel 1:7; Ezra 1:8). This does not necessarily indicate that they were apostate Jews (cf. Daniel 1:7). The Marduk tablet, an extra-biblical cuneiform document, may contain a reference to Mordecai. [3] The writer mentioned Mordecai58 times in this book, and seven times identified him as a Jew ( Esther 2:5; Esther 5:13; Esther 6:10; Esther 8:7; Esther 9:29; Esther 9:31; Esther 10:3). Obviously, this is a story in which ethnicity is important. [source][source][source]
"Hadasseh" ( Esther 2:7) is a Jewish name that means myrtle, a beautiful fragrant tree. The Jews still sometimes carry myrtle branches, which signify peace and thanksgiving, in procession during the Feast of Tabernacles. [4] The name "Esther" is Persian and means "star." It derives from the same root as "Ishtar," the Babylonian goddess of love. As will become clear, Esther cooperated in practices contrary to the Mosaic Law. These included having sex with a man not her husband ( Exodus 20:14), marrying a pagan ( Deuteronomy 7:1-4), and eating unclean food ( Leviticus 11:46-47). This sets Esther in contrast to Daniel , who purposed not to defile himself-even with unclean food ( Daniel 1:5; Daniel 1:8). God used Esther as Israel"s deliverer, even though she disregarded His will, at least partially (cf. Samson). Mordecai encouraged her to cooperate with the king ( Esther 2:10-11). It is impossible to determine if Esther was forced to participate in the king"s "beauty contest," or if she did so willingly. In view of Ahasuerus" great power, I tend to think that she had no choice. [source][source][source]
"The Persian name would enable Esther to keep secret her foreign identity." [5][source]
". . . if Mordecai and Esther were passing themselves off as Persians, they certainly weren"t keeping a kosher home and obeying the laws of Moses. Had they been following even the dietary laws, let alone the rules for separation and worship, their true nationality would have quickly been discovered. Had Esther practiced her Jewish faith during her year of preparation ( Esther 2:12), or during the four years she had been queen ( Esther 2:16 with Esther 3:7), the disguise would have come off." [6][source]
"When you consider the backslidden state of the Jewish nation at that time, the disobedience of the Jewish remnant in the Persian Empire, and the unspiritual lifestyle of Mordecai and Esther , is it any wonder that the name of God is absent from this book?" [7][source]
Esther charmed Hegai, who was in charge of the king"s women, and he proceeded to grant her favor ( Esther 2:9; cf. Daniel 1:9). Her ability to keep information confidential and her submissiveness to Mordecai ( Esther 2:10) mark her as a wise woman (cf. Proverbs 13:1; Proverbs 13:3). [source][source][source]
There are several parallels between the story of Esther and the story of the Exodus. These have led a few scholars to conclude that the writer patterned this story after the story of Moses and the Exodus. [7] Similarities include the plot and central theme, the adopted child with the concealed identity, reluctance to appeal to the king at first, the execution of many enemies, the Amalekite foe, and others. [9] Though some similarities do exist, most scholars have not agreed that the writer deliberately constructed the Book of Esther after Exodus 1-12. [10][source]
Similarly, there are several parallels with the story of Joseph in Genesis. [11][source]