Esther 2:20
What does Esther 2:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:20 means
Even as queen, Esther continues to conceal her Jewish identity, just as Mordecai commanded since her upbringing. Authority and honor have not made her independent of wise counsel. The verse underscores obedience, continuity, and prudence. Esther lives between two worlds: honored in Persia, bound to her people. The secrecy sustains narrative tension and preserves her ability to act at the right time. It also shows that influence does not free God’s people from the need for wisdom. Waiting to speak can be as faithful as speaking; in due course, her hidden identity will be revealed for the protection of many.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Esther had not yet made known her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Esther had not yet made known her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Esther had still said nothing of her family or her people, as Mordecai had given her orders; for Esther did what Mordecai said, as when she was living with him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Esther is not declaring her kindred and her people, as Mordecai hath laid a charge upon her, and the saying of Mordecai Esther is doing as when she was truly with him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Neither had Esther as yet declared her country and people, according to his commandment. For whatsoever he commanded, Esther observed: and she did all things in the same manner as she was wont at that time when he brought her up a little one.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890(Esther, as Mordecai had charged her, had not yet made known her birth nor her people; for Esther did what Mordecai told her, like as when she was brought up with him.)
Context
Coming right before the plot’s discovery, this reminder of Esther’s obedience links her queenship to Mordecai’s guidance. It shows their relationship remains intact despite her elevation. The next verses (21–23) will narrate Mordecai’s uncovering of treason, Esther’s intercession with the king on his behalf, and the official record of the event—an entry that will later become pivotal to Mordecai’s advancement.
v.19And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate.
v.20This passage
v.21In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those that kept the threshold, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 2:10
Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred; for Mordecai had charged her that she should not make it known.
- Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
- Esther 2:7
And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.