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Esther 10

3 verses

TL;DR

Chapter 10 records King Ahasuerus rewarding Mordecai with tribute and praising his leadership and kindness to his people.

Summary

In this brief concluding chapter of Esther, the Persian king Ahasuerus bestows a tribute upon the land and the islands of the sea as an act of generosity. He recalls the powerful deeds of his reign and the great deeds of Mordecai, noting that these are recorded in the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia. The king declares that Mordecai, a Jew, was the closest to him and held great esteem among the Jews, having earned the respect of his fellow Israelites. Mordecai is praised for seeking the wealth of his people and speaking peace to all his descendants. The passage concludes by highlighting the enduring legacy of Mordecai’s service and the gratitude of the king toward him.

Outline
  1. King Ahasuerus awards tribute to the land and islands.
  2. The king references the chronicles that record his power and Mordecai’s greatness.
  3. Mordecai’s close relationship with the king and his service to the Jewish people are highlighted.
Themes
Divine providence and royal favorLeadership and stewardshipPraise and memorialization
Keywords
tributechronicleMordecaiAhasuerusJewMedesPersiakingwealthpeace
People
King AhasuerusMordecai
Places
isles of the sealandMediaPersia
Things
tributebook of chronicleswealth of peoplepeaceking’s decree
Key Verses
  • Esther 10:1: Shows the king’s act of generosity and establishes the theme of tribute.
Questions
  • What does the tribute reveal about the relationship between the king and Mordecai?
  • How does the mention of the chronicles emphasize the importance of record-keeping in ancient Persia?
  • In what ways does Mordecai’s role as a steward reflect Jewish values of stewardship and community service?
  • What lessons can modern readers draw from Mordecai’s leadership and the king’s recognition of him?
  • How might the depiction of peace and wealth in this chapter inform contemporary discussions about prosperity and justice?
Sentiment

positive
The passage highlights royal generosity, gratitude, and the honor bestowed upon Mordecai.