Esther 2:11
What does Esther 2:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:11 means
Mordecai’s steady love appears in his daily walks near the women’s court to learn of Esther’s welfare and future. Though separated by palace walls, he remains pastorally near, attentive to news, and ready to guide. His vigilance shows that Esther is not adrift; she is still under the care of the one who raised her. It also quietly places Mordecai within the palace precincts, foreshadowing how he will overhear critical information. Watching and waiting are forms of faithfulness. The king’s harem is an impersonal machine, but Mordecai’s daily presence keeps a personal thread of protection and counsel in Esther’s life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And every day Mordecai took his walk before the square of the women's house, to see how Esther was and what would be done to her.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and during every day Mordecai is walking up and down before the court of the house of the women to know the welfare of Esther, and what is done with her.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he walked every day before the court of the house, in which the chosen virgins were kept, having a care for Esther's welfare, and desiring to know what would befall her.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
Context
Following Esther’s concealment of identity, the narrative shows Mordecai’s continuing involvement. This verse bridges Esther’s private world and the public process described next. Verses 12–14 will explain the yearlong purification and the one-night approach to the king, giving readers the context to appreciate Esther’s unusual choice in verse 15 and the significance of her subsequent favor.
v.10Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred; for Mordecai had charged her that she should not make it known.
v.11This passage
v.12Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women twelve months (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with the things for the purifying of the women),
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 2:13
then in this wise came the maiden unto the king: Whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.
- Genesis 37:14
And he said to him, Go now, see whether it is well with thy brethren, and well with the flock; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
- 1 Samuel 17:18
and bring these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
- Acts 15:36
And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare.