Esther 10:3
What does Esther 10:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 10:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 10:3 means
The book closes by portraying Mordecai the Jew as second only to king Ahasuerus and, more importantly, as a leader who enjoyed the trust of his own people. He was “great among the Jews” and “accepted of the multitude of his brethren,” not because of titles alone, but because he “sought the good of his people.” His words fostered peace “to all his seed,” likely meaning the Jewish community and its posterity across the provinces. Power and popularity rarely coincide; here they do, because his authority served others’ welfare. The verse offers a measured commendation: Mordecai’s greatness is moral as well as political, marked by active concern and peacemaking.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and respected by the body of his countrymen; working for the good of his people, and saying words of peace to all his seed.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For Mordecai the Jew <FI>is<Fi> second to king Ahasuerus, and a great man of the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking good for his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And how Mardochai of the race of the Jews, was next after king Assuerus: and great among the Jews, and acceptable to the people of his brethren, seeking the good of his people, and speaking those things which were for the welfare of his seed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For Mordecai the Jew was second to king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the welfare of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
Context
This final verse is the climax of the epilogue: from empire-wide tribute (v. 1) and official records (v. 2) to the man whose leadership blessed the Jews. It gathers the book’s reversals into one sentence—where threat once loomed, peace is spoken; where marginalization threatened, acceptance is given. Nothing further follows because the point is complete: Mordecai’s established authority and his benevolent use of it secured ongoing welfare for his people. The chapter ends not with spectacle but with settled peace, fitting the book’s emphasis on providence working through wise, faithful administration.
v.2And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account 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?
v.3This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 28:7
And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king’s son, and Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king.
- Romans 14:18
For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.
- Genesis 41:40
thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
- Romans 10:1
Brethren, my heart’s desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved.
- 1 Samuel 23:17
And he said unto him, Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
- Daniel 5:29
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.