Esther’s faithful obedience served as a stepping stone to the salvation of her people.
Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her as she had done when under his care (v.20). Here we see Esther continuing to honor the guidance of Mordecai. This takes place in the royal palace of Susa, an ancient city located in the southwestern region of what is now Iran. The timing of these events falls within the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), who ruled the Persian Empire from approximately 486 to 465 BC. Because Mordecai foresaw the potential dangers if Esther’s Jewish identity became widely known, he instructed her to remain quiet about her lineage, and she faithfully obeyed him.
When the verse says that Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people (v.20), it reminds us of Esther’s humble beginnings and her dependence upon Mordecai’s counsel. Mordecai had raised her after she lost her parents, which deepened her respect and submission toward him. She was now in a position of influence yet did not forget her obedient upbringing. This echoes later commandments in Scripture where believers are called to honor those placed over them (Hebrews 13:17), signaling the Bible’s overarching theme of humble submission to godly authority.
The hidden nature of Esther’s identity also foreshadows God’s sovereign timing and protection. Throughout the New Testament, we see how Jesus’ own identity was veiled at times to accomplish divine purposes (John 10:24), yet revealed at the proper moment. Similarly, God used Esther’s concealment for a larger plan to save His people. Her unwavering trust in the wisdom of Mordecai underscores her faith in God’s plan in a foreign land.
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Esther 2:20 meaning
Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her as she had done when under his care (v.20). Here we see Esther continuing to honor the guidance of Mordecai. This takes place in the royal palace of Susa, an ancient city located in the southwestern region of what is now Iran. The timing of these events falls within the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), who ruled the Persian Empire from approximately 486 to 465 BC. Because Mordecai foresaw the potential dangers if Esther’s Jewish identity became widely known, he instructed her to remain quiet about her lineage, and she faithfully obeyed him.
When the verse says that Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people (v.20), it reminds us of Esther’s humble beginnings and her dependence upon Mordecai’s counsel. Mordecai had raised her after she lost her parents, which deepened her respect and submission toward him. She was now in a position of influence yet did not forget her obedient upbringing. This echoes later commandments in Scripture where believers are called to honor those placed over them (Hebrews 13:17), signaling the Bible’s overarching theme of humble submission to godly authority.
The hidden nature of Esther’s identity also foreshadows God’s sovereign timing and protection. Throughout the New Testament, we see how Jesus’ own identity was veiled at times to accomplish divine purposes (John 10:24), yet revealed at the proper moment. Similarly, God used Esther’s concealment for a larger plan to save His people. Her unwavering trust in the wisdom of Mordecai underscores her faith in God’s plan in a foreign land.