Esther 2:20 (KJV)

What does Esther 2:20 mean?

Esther 2:20 explains that Esther kept her family background and Jewish identity secret, just as Mordecai had instructed her, and she continued to obey Mordecai’s guidance as she had done when he raised her. The verse highlights Esther’s loyalty and respect for Mordecai’s authority, even after becoming queen.

The verse is set in the Persian royal court, after Esther has been chosen as queen. Mordecai, her cousin and guardian, had told her not to reveal that she was Jewish. Esther’s continued obedience shows the close relationship between them and sets up the tension in the story, as her hidden identity will become important later.

The Hebrew behind Esther 2:20

• הִגִּידָה (higgîdah, “shewed”): This word means “to make known” or “to declare.” The verse emphasizes that Esther actively chose not to reveal her background, not just by omission but by deliberate choice.
• מִשְׁפַּחְתָּהּ (mishpaḥtah, “kindred”): This refers to her family or clan, highlighting that Esther kept both her immediate family and her broader ethnic group a secret.
• עַמָּהּ (ʿammāh, “people”): This word means “people” or “nation,” making it clear that Esther’s silence covered her entire Jewish identity, not just her family ties.
• צִוָּה (tsivvah, “charged”): This verb means “commanded” or “ordered,” showing that Mordecai’s instruction was not a suggestion but a firm directive.
• אֵת מַאֲמַר (’et ma’amar, “commandment”): This phrase refers to Mordecai’s specific instruction or command, underlining Esther’s obedience to his word.

Why Esther 2:20 matters

• Esther 2:20 clarifies that Esther’s secrecy about her Jewish identity was not her own idea, but a direct result of Mordecai’s command, which shapes how we understand her actions throughout the book.
• The verse highlights Esther’s character, showing her respect and trust in Mordecai even after her rise to a position of great power, which is unusual and significant in the royal context.
• This detail sets up the dramatic tension for later events in the story, where Esther’s hidden identity becomes a turning point for the fate of her people.