Esther 2:6

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.

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}.

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.

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

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 on Esther 2:6

Esther 2:6 provides crucial historical context for Mordecai, a central character in the book of Esther. It identifies him not merely as a Jew living in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, but specifically as one whose ancestors were part of the significant Babylonian captivity. This verse firmly grounds the narrative of Esther within the broader biblical history of the Jewish people in exile.

Context

  • The Babylonian Exile: The verse explicitly links Mordecai to the second major deportation of Judah, which occurred around 597 BC. This was when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, carried away King Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin), along with many of the kingdom's elite, craftsmen, and strong men, 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.
  • Mordecai's Lineage: By identifying Mordecai with this specific wave of exiles, the text emphasizes his deep connection to the Jewish heritage and the traumatic experience of national displacement. This background would have shaped his identity and worldview profoundly.

Key Themes

  • Exile and Diaspora: This verse highlights the reality of the Jewish people living in diaspora, far from their homeland, under foreign rule. It underscores the ongoing theme in biblical history of God's people scattered among the nations, yet still preserved.
  • Historical Continuity: The specific mention of Jeconiah and Nebuchadnezzar grounds the book of Esther in verifiable historical events, lending credibility to the narrative and connecting it to the larger prophetic timeline concerning the seventy years of Babylonian captivity.
  • Divine Providence (Implied): While not explicitly stated here, 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 providential work in preserving His people, even in seemingly godless circumstances.

Linguistic Insights

  • The name "Jeconiah" is an alternative form of "Jehoiachin," which is more commonly used in other Old Testament books like 2 Kings 24:15 and Jeremiah 52:31. This confirms the specific historical event being referenced.

Practical Application

Esther 2:6 reminds us that God's plan often unfolds through people and events that seem ordinary or even tragic. Mordecai's background as a descendant of exiles speaks to:

  • God's Presence in Adversity: Even in displacement and loss, God is at work, preparing individuals for His purposes. Mordecai's lineage, marked by captivity, ultimately positions him to play a crucial role in the deliverance of his people.
  • The Importance of Heritage: Remembering one's roots and the historical journey of faith can provide strength and identity, especially when living in a foreign or challenging environment.
  • Hope in Unlikely Places: The story of Esther, beginning with the humble background of an exile's descendant, demonstrates that God can use anyone, anywhere, to accomplish His will.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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