A leader who returned from Babylonian exile.
Mordecai
Named in 2 verses across 2 books, first in Ezra 2:2.
מׇרְדֳּכַיMordecai
The name means “contrition; bitter; bruising.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Mordecai Written by AI
Mordecai is mentioned in Ezra 2:2 and Nehemiah 7:7 as one of the leaders who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity along with Zerubbabel. He is listed among the men who led the first group of exiles back to their homeland after the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, which allowed the Jews to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Apart from being named as a leader in this context, no additional information is provided about this particular Mordecai's background, family, or role in the community. His presence among the leaders suggests that he held a position of respect and authority among the returning exiles. The return of Mordecai and the other leaders marked a significant turning point in Jewish history, as the exiles began the process of rebuilding their lives, their city, and their temple in Jerusalem after decades of captivity in Babylon. This event set the stage for the restoration of Jewish religious and cultural identity in their homeland.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Mordecai, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
The son of Jair, of the tribe of Benjamin. It has been alleged that he was carried into captivity with Jeconiah, and hence that he must have been at least one hundred and twenty-nine years old in the twelfth year of Ahasuerus (Xerxes). But the words of Esther do not necessarily lead to this conclusion. It was probably Kish of whom it is said (ver. 6) that he “had been carried away with the captivity.”
He resided at Susa, the metropolis of Persia. He adopted his cousin Hadassah (Esther), an orphan child, whom he tenderly brought up as his own daughter. When she was brought into the king’s harem and made queen in the room of the deposed queen Vashti, he was promoted to some office in the court of Ahasuerus, and was one of those who “sat in the king’s gate” (Esther 2:21). While holding this office, he discovered a plot of the eunuchs to put the king to death, which, by his vigilance, was defeated. His services to the king in this matter were duly recorded in the royal chronicles.
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Haman (q.v.) the Agagite had been raised to the highest position at court. Mordecai refused to bow down before him; and Haman, being stung to the quick by the conduct of Mordecai, resolved to accomplish his death in a wholesale destruction of the Jewish exiles throughout the Persian empire (Esther 3:8-15). Tidings of this cruel scheme soon reached the ears of Mordecai, who communicated with Queen Esther regarding it, and by her wise and bold intervention the scheme was frustrated. The Jews were delivered from destruction, Mordecai was raised to a high rank, and Haman was executed on the gallows he had by anticipation erected for Mordecai (6:2-7:10). In memory of the signal deliverance thus wrought for them, the Jews to this day celebrate the feast (9:26-32) of Purim (q.v.).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Ezra 2:2
accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel:
- Nehemiah 7:7
accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel:
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.