Mordecai

The son of Jair, of the tribe of Benjamin. It has been alleged that he was carried into captivity with Jeconiah, and hence that he must have been at least one hundred and twenty-nine years old in the twelfth year of Ahasuerus (Xerxes). But the words of Esther do not necessarily lead to this conclusion. It was probably Kish of whom it is said (ver. 6) that he “had been carried away with the captivity.” He resided at Susa, the metropolis of Persia. He adopted his cousin Hadassah (Esther), an orphan child, whom he tenderly brought up as his own daughter. When she was brought into the king’s harem and made queen in the room of the deposed queen Vashti, he was promoted to some office in the court of Ahasuerus, and was one of those who “sat in the king’s gate” (Esther 2:21). While holding this office, he discovered a plot of the eunuchs to put the king to death, which, by his vigilance, was defeated. His services to the king in this matter were duly recorded in the royal chronicles. Haman (q.v.) the Agagite had been raised to the highest position at court. Mordecai refused to bow down before him; and Haman, being stung to the quick by the conduct of Mordecai, resolved to accomplish his death in a wholesale destruction of the Jewish exiles throughout the Persian empire (Esther 3:8-15). Tidings of this cruel scheme soon reached the ears of Mordecai, who communicated with Queen Esther regarding it, and by her wise and bold intervention the scheme was frustrated. The Jews were delivered from destruction, Mordecai was raised to a high rank, and Haman was executed on the gallows he had by anticipation erected for Mordecai (6:2-7:10). In memory of the signal deliverance thus wrought for them, the Jews to this day celebrate the feast (9:26-32) of Purim (q.v.).

(little man, or worshipper or Mars), the deliverer, under divine Providence, of the Jews from the destruction plotted against them by Haman the chief minister of Xerxes; the institutor of the feast of Purim. The incidents of his history are too well known to need to be dwelt upon. [Esther, Book Of] Three things are predicated of Mordecai in the book of Esther: (1) That he lived in Shushan; (2) That his name was Mordecai, son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish the Benjamite who was taken captive with Jehoiachin; (3) That he brought up Esther.

MOR'DECAI (little man, or worshipper of Mars), a captive Jew of the family of Saul, resident at the court of Ahasuerus. An uncle of his died, leaving an orphan daughter named Hadassah, whom Mordecai adopted, and who afterward became the queen of Persia. Mordecai fell under the displeasure of Haman, one of the king's principal officers of state, and to be revenged on the despised Jew he laid a plan for the extermination of the whole body of Jews in the empire. His purpose was, however, defeated by the interposition of the queen, Haman lost his life and Mordecai was elevated to wealth and power.

contrition; bitter; bruising

MOR'DECAI (little man, or worshipper of Mars), a captive Jew of the family of Saul, resident at the court of Ahasuerus. An uncle of his died, leaving an orphan daughter named Hadassah, whom Mordecai adopted, and who afterward became the queen of Persia. Mordecai fell under the displeasure of Haman, one of the king's principal officers of state, and to be revenged on the despised Jew he laid a plan for the extermination of the whole body of Jews in the empire. His purpose was, however, defeated by the interposition of the queen, Haman lost his life and Mordecai was elevated to wealth and power. MO'REH. The Plain, Plains, or Oaks of Moreh. It is twice noticed in Scripture; first as the halting-place of Abram after his entrance into the land of Canaan. Gen 12:6. It was near Shechem, Gen 12:6, and the mountains Ebal and Gerizim. Deut 11:30. The Hill of Moreh, where the Midianites and Amalekites were encamped before Gideon's attack upon them. Jud 7:1. It lay in the valley of Jezreel, on the north side. It is identified with Ain Jalood, the spring of Harod, and Gideon's position was on the northeast slope of Jebel Fukua (Mount Gilboa), between the village of Nuris and the spring. Little Hermon is 1815 feet above the Mediterranean. On the south is Gilboa. and on the north Tabor.