Esther 2:5
What does Esther 2:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:5 means
We meet Mordecai, a Jew living in Shushan, traced through Jair, Shimei, and Kish, a Benjamite. The genealogy roots him in Israel’s story and signals that the coming events involve more than palace romance; they concern God’s covenant people in exile. Mordecai’s presence in the capital suggests he holds some position or access, which will matter later. The mention of Benjamin connects him to a tribe known for notable figures, but the text simply affirms his Jewish identity in a foreign court. Amid imperial splendor, the Bible brings our eyes to a faithful man whose quiet life will soon intersect with the king’s affairs.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000There was a certain Jew in Shushan the palace, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901There was a certain Jew in Shushan the palace, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now there was a certain Jew in Shushan named Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A man, a Jew, there hath been in Shushan the palace, and his name <FI>is<Fi> Mordecai son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjamite--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752There was a man in the city of Susan, a Jew, named Mardochai, the son of Jair, the son of Semei, the son of Cis, of the race of Jemini,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890There was in Shushan the fortress a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite,
Context
Having established the royal plan, the narrative introduces the human instruments God will use. Verse 5 begins the Mordecai-Esther thread that will carry the book. Verse 6 will tie Mordecai’s family to the Babylonian exile, reminding readers that Jews are dispersed and vulnerable. Verse 7 will present Esther, his relative and ward, whose beauty and upbringing position her for the unfolding events.
v.4and let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
v.5This passage
v.6who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Samuel 16:5
And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and cursed still as he came.
- 1 Samuel 9:1
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.
- Esther 1:2
that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
- Esther 2:3
and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hegai the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them;
- Esther 5:1
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house.
- Esther 10:3
For 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.