Esther 2:10 - Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.

Generated Verse: Esther 2:10

What does "Esther 2:10" mean?


Esther 2:10 means that Esther kept her Jewish identity a secret at the instruction of her cousin and guardian, Mordecai. Let's break it down:

"Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives...": Esther did not reveal that she was Jewish or who her family members were. This means she was presenting herself as just another beautiful young woman vying for the queen's position, without disclosing her ethnic background.

"...because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.": The reason she kept her identity a secret was because Mordecai had specifically told her to do so. He had given her this command before she was even taken to the king's harem.

Possible reasons for Mordecai's instruction:

Fear of Prejudice: In a foreign land like Persia, being Jewish could make Esther a target of discrimination or hostility. Haman's later plot demonstrates the existing anti-Semitism. Mordecai likely wanted to protect her from any potential harm or disadvantage this knowledge could cause.
Maintaining Discretion: Mordecai may have thought it was strategically better for Esther to keep her background private while navigating the royal court. Revealing her identity prematurely could have jeopardized her chances of being chosen as queen or limited her influence later.
Uncertainty about the King: While King Ahasuerus was seeking a new queen, Mordecai might have been unsure of the king's attitude toward foreigners or those of different religious beliefs. Keeping Esther's identity a secret was a cautious approach until they could better assess the king's views.

Essentially, Mordecai's instruction was a protective measure, aimed at safeguarding Esther's position and potentially enabling her to wield greater influence once she became queen. Keeping her Jewish identity secret was a strategic decision based on the circumstances and the potential risks involved.

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