Esther 2:6

KJV

Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who had been carried away {H1540} from Jerusalem {H3389} with the captivity {H1473} which had been carried away {H1540} with Jeconiah {H3204} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, whom Nebuchadnezzar {H5019} the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} had carried away {H1540}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He had been exiled from Yerushalayim with the captives exiled with Y'khanyah king of Y'hudah, whom N'vukhadnetzar king of Bavel had carried off.

Berean Standard Bible

He had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon among those taken captive with Jeconiah king of Judah.

American Standard Version

who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 2:6 provides a critical historical anchor for Mordecai, a pivotal figure in the book of Esther, by tracing his lineage back to the Babylonian captivity. It specifies that his family was among those deported from Jerusalem with King Jeconiah by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This verse not only establishes Mordecai's deep connection to the Jewish heritage and the traumatic experience of national displacement but also grounds the narrative of Esther firmly within the broader biblical history of God's covenant people in exile, setting the stage for divine providence to unfold in seemingly ordinary circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears immediately after Mordecai is introduced as the guardian of Esther (Hadassah), his orphaned cousin, and before Esther is taken into the king's harem. The preceding verses (Esther 2:5) identify Mordecai as "a certain Jew in Shushan the palace, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite." Verse 6 then elaborates on his background, providing crucial historical depth to his identity. This detailed lineage and historical connection serve to establish Mordecai's credentials and the gravity of his situation as a descendant of exiles, setting the stage for his later actions in protecting his people. It underscores that the events of Esther are not isolated but deeply rooted in the ongoing story of God's people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Esther 2:6 directly references the second major deportation of Judah to Babylon, which occurred in 597 BC. This event saw Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, carry away King Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin) along with the kingdom's elite, including nobles, craftsmen, and skilled workers, from Jerusalem to Babylon. This followed an earlier deportation in 605 BC (which included Daniel) and preceded the final destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. The mention of Jeconiah is significant as it highlights the exile of the royal line and the most influential members of society, emphasizing the profound disruption and humiliation experienced by Judah. By the time of Esther, the Persian Empire had succeeded the Babylonian, and many Jews, including Mordecai's family, remained in the diaspora, often in significant administrative centers like Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Esther and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Exile and Diaspora**, underscoring the reality of the Jewish people living far from their homeland, under foreign rule, yet still preserving their identity and faith. Secondly, it emphasizes **Historical Continuity**, firmly grounding the book of Esther in verifiable historical events, linking it to the prophetic fulfillment of the [seventy years of Babylonian captivity](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile") as foretold by Jeremiah. This historical grounding lends credibility to the narrative and connects it to God's long-term plan for His people. Lastly, though not explicitly stated, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Providence**. The fact that a descendant of these exiles, Mordecai, and his cousin Esther, would rise to positions of influence in the Persian court, sets the stage for God's hidden hand to work through human agents to preserve His people, even in circumstances where His name is never directly mentioned, as is characteristic of the book of [Esther](/esther/1 "The Book of Esther").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Carried away (Hebrew, גָּלָה, _galah'_):** This verb, repeated three times in the verse, signifies forced displacement, exile, or deportation. It conveys the traumatic experience of being uprooted from one's homeland and taken to a foreign land against one's will. In the biblical context, _galah_ often carries connotations of divine judgment and the breaking of the covenant, as the people were removed from the land God had promised them. Its repetition here underscores the profound and definitive nature of the event that shaped Mordecai's family history.
* **Jeconiah (Hebrew, יְכָנְיָה, _yekonyah'_):** This is an alternative form of Jehoiachin, the king of Judah who reigned for a mere three months and ten days before being deported to Babylon in 597 BC. The specific mention of Jeconiah is crucial because his exile marked a significant turning point in Judah's history, symbolizing the end of the Davidic monarchy's effective rule and the complete subjugation of the kingdom. His deportation, along with the elite, was a particularly devastating blow, and associating Mordecai's family with this specific wave of exiles highlights their prominent status and the depth of their suffering.
* **Nebuchadnezzar (Hebrew, נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר, _nebukadne'ṣṣar'_):** The powerful king of Babylon who was the instrument of God's judgment against Judah. His name evokes the might of the Babylonian Empire and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings regarding Judah's unfaithfulness. By naming him, the text firmly places Mordecai's family history within the well-documented and widely understood period of the Babylonian exile, anchoring the narrative in a pivotal moment of Israel's covenant history and divine discipline.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who had been carried away from Jerusalem":** This opening clause immediately establishes the context of forced migration and exile. It refers to the ancestors or family line of Mordecai, indicating that his roots were in Jerusalem, the spiritual and political heart of Judah, now lost to them. The phrase emphasizes the involuntary nature of their departure and the profound sense of displacement inherent in their identity.
* **"with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah":** This specifies the particular wave of exiles to which Mordecai's family belonged. The deportation with King Jeconiah in 597 BC was distinct from earlier or later exiles, notably for including the king himself, the royal family, court officials, and the most skilled and influential members of Judahite society. This detail suggests that Mordecai's ancestors were not commoners but belonged to a more prominent class, which might explain his later position and influence in the Persian court.
* **"whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away":** This final clause reiterates the agent of the exile, Nebuchadnezzar, and his imperial authority. The repetition of "carried away" (three times in total in the verse) emphasizes the definitive and traumatic nature of the event. It also implicitly connects this historical act to the broader divine plan, as Nebuchadnezzar, despite his pagan identity, was used by God to fulfill His purposes of judgment and purification for His people.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Esther 2:6 is **Repetition**. The phrase "carried away" (or variations thereof) appears three times within this single verse, creating a powerful emphasis on the trauma and definitive nature of the Babylonian exile. This repetition not only reinforces the historical event but also highlights the profound impact it had on the identity and lineage of Mordecai. Another device at play is **Historical Allusion**. By directly naming "Jeconiah king of Judah" and "Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon," the text grounds the narrative in well-known and verifiable historical events, lending a sense of authenticity and continuity to the story of Esther. This anchors the seemingly secular narrative of Esther within the larger sacred history of Israel, connecting it to the covenant and God's ongoing work with His people, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 2:6 is a foundational verse for understanding the theological underpinnings of the book of Esther. By connecting Mordecai's lineage to the Babylonian exile, the text implicitly reminds the reader of God's judgment upon His people for their unfaithfulness, yet also His unwavering commitment to preserve them. Even in their displacement, far from the Promised Land and the Temple, God's providential hand is at work, preparing individuals like Mordecai and Esther for crucial roles in His ongoing plan of salvation. The verse underscores that God's sovereignty extends beyond the borders of Israel, operating even within the courts of pagan kings, ensuring the survival of the covenant line through which the Messiah would ultimately come. It speaks to the enduring nature of God's promises despite human failure and the scattering of His people.

* [2 Kings 24:15](/2_kings/24-15 "2 Kings 24:15 - Jehoiachin's Exile to Babylon")
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile")
* [Ezekiel 1:1-3](/ezekiel/1-1 "Ezekiel 1:1-3 - Ezekiel Among the Exiles by the Chebar Canal")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 2:6 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that our personal histories, even those marked by hardship or displacement, are woven into God's larger tapestry of redemption. Just as Mordecai's background as a descendant of exiles shaped his identity and prepared him for a pivotal role, our own past experiences, challenges, and heritage can be instruments in God's sovereign plan. This verse encourages us to recognize God's providential hand at work in our lives, even when circumstances seem ordinary or difficult. It teaches us the importance of understanding our spiritual lineage as "aliens and strangers" in this world, yet firmly rooted in God's covenant promises. Our identity is not solely defined by our earthly origins or current circumstances, but by our belonging to God's people, a people preserved and purposed by Him through all generations. This historical grounding should inspire resilience, faithfulness, and hope, knowing that God can use anyone, anywhere, to accomplish His will for His glory and the good of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding our spiritual heritage as God's redeemed people, often "exiled" from the ways of the world, shape our identity and actions today?**
* **Can you identify instances in your own life where seemingly "ordinary" or even difficult circumstances have prepared you for a specific purpose God had in mind?**
* **In what ways does the historical continuity of God's faithfulness to His people, as seen in Esther 2:6, strengthen your trust in His providence for your own future?**

### FAQ
**Was Mordecai personally carried away by Nebuchadnezzar?**

Answer: No, the verse does not state that Mordecai himself was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar. The Hebrew phrasing, "Who had been carried away," refers to the *ancestors* or the *family line* of Mordecai. The Babylonian exile of 597 BC, which included King Jeconiah, occurred approximately 100-110 years before the events of Esther. Thus, Mordecai would have been born in the diaspora, likely in Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital, as a descendant of those who were exiled. The verse emphasizes his deep connection to that foundational historical event for the Jewish people, highlighting his heritage rather than his personal experience of the initial deportation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 2:6, by grounding Mordecai's identity in the Babylonian exile, subtly points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. The exile represented a period of judgment and separation from the Promised Land, a consequence of sin. Yet, even in this displacement, God preserved a remnant, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant and His people. This preservation of the Jewish line, from which the Messiah would come, foreshadows Christ's mission. Jesus, the true King, was "carried away" not by an earthly oppressor but from the glory of heaven to the humility of earth, to dwell among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He came to deliver His people from a far greater captivity—the bondage of sin and death ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). Just as Mordecai, an exile's descendant, became an instrument of salvation for his people, so Christ, though appearing in humble form, is God's ultimate provision for salvation, freeing those who were "carried away" by sin to be adopted into His eternal kingdom. His followers are now "strangers and pilgrims" ([Hebrews 11:13](/hebrews/11-13 "Hebrews 11:13 - Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth")) in this world, looking forward to their true heavenly home, a "city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God" ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - The City with Foundations")), ultimately delivered from all forms of exile into the glorious presence of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 24:14

And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, [even] ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

2 Kings 24:15

And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, [those] carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jeremiah 24:1

¶ The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs [were] set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:20

And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:

2 Kings 24:6

So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

2 Chronicles 36:9

Jehoiachin [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 36:10

And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.