Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 2:20

Esther had not [yet] showed 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.

20. Esther had not yet shewed etc. ] In the East, when persons rise in rank, it is expected that their relatives will rise with them. But the connexion between Esther and Mordecai had not been disclosed, the queen having been faithful in carrying out the direction of her foster-father to that effect. There is no great improbability of a secret of this sort having been kept under the circumstances of the story.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Est 2:20

For Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

Repaying parental kindness

Then I would say that there is a lesson here for the young. How can they repay in any measure–for fully they can never repay–the tenderness of their godly parents to them in their youth, and the anxiety which has been felt on their account as they advanced toward maturity? In one way only–by endeavouring to pursue the path which leads to present respectability and usefulness, and which Christ in His Word has marked out as that which His disciples must tread. (A. B. Davidson, D. D.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Esther had not showed her kindred nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her,…. As not before, so neither since she was made queen, see Es 2:10, though, according to the Targums, she was urged to it by the king himself:

for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him: which showed great humility in her, notwithstanding her advancement, great respect to him, and a sense of gratitude for the kindness he had shown; and this charge to her was still continued by Mordecai, partly that she might not fall into contempt, and partly to prevent hatred and envy to the Jewish nation, through her promotion; but chiefly so it was ordered in Providence, the proper time being not yet come.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(20) Esther had not yet . . .Perhaps this verse is added to meet the supposition that the king wished to replace Esther through finding out her nation.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

20. Esther had not showed This verse should be regarded as a parenthesis, and is designed, as a circumstantial clause, to show that Esther was obedient to Mordecai as much after she became queen as before. It also shows that this second collection of virgins sprang from no prejudice against Esther as a Jewess.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Est 2:20 Esther 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.

Ver. 20. Esther had not yet shewed her kindred ] Taciturnity is sometimes a virtue, and Tacitus the best historian. Queen Elizabeth’s motto was, Video, taceo, I see, and say nothing. Sophocles saith, nothing better becometh a woman than silence. Euripides also saith, that silence, and modesty, and keeping at home, are the greatest commendation to a woman that can be. Curtius telleth us, that the Persians never trust one whom they find to be talkative, Cui tacere grave sit (Curt. 1. 4). Why Esther concealed her kindred, see the note, See Trapp on “ Est 2:11 “ , and know that this is no warrant for Popish equivocation; a device of the Jesuits, for the comfort of afflicted Catholics (as Blackwell and Garnet profess), and for the instruction of all the godly.

For Esther did the commandment of Mordecai ] Her honours had not altered her manners. She was semper eadem, always the same, as obsequious and observant of Mordecai still as ever. So was Joseph, David, Solomon, Epaminondas, and others, of their old and poorer parents. Pope Benedict, a Lombard, A.D. 1303, a shepherd’s son, would not acknowledge his poor mother when she came to him lady like, but caused her to put on her shepherdess apparel, and then did her all the honour that might be. Sir Thomas Moore would in Westminster Hall beg his father’s blessing on his knees. Mordecai was Esther’s foster father, and had given her, though not her being, yet her well being; and hence she so respects him, and is so ruled by him. She had gotten from him that nurture and admonition in the Lord that was better to her than the crown of the kingdom; for what is unsanctified greatness but eminent dishonour? and what is dignitas in indigno but ornamentum in luto? (Salvian). If any parents find disobedient children, let them consider whether, Eli-like, they have not honoured (I mean cockered) their sons too much, 1Sa 2:29 , which is the reason they honour them now so little. Will they keep meat well savoured, yet never salt it? will they have sprigs sprout right, yet never lop them? Our Henry II so cockered his eldest son, Henry, that he crowned him while himself was yet alive, which made his ambition quite turn off his obedience, to his father’s great heart break.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

as = according as.

for, &c. Thus revealing a new characteristic of Esther. This secrecy was hardly needed if the emancipation of Ezr 1:1 had already taken place.

commandment. Hebrew. ‘amar, as in Est 1:10.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

had not yet showed: Est 2:10

for Esther: Eph 6:1-3

Reciprocal: Est 4:8 – to charge

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Est 2:20. Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, &c. A rare example of virtue, that she should be so observant of him when she was a queen: for most persons forget what they were when they are unexpectedly advanced to great honour, dignity, or riches.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments