Esther 2:10

Modern

Esther did not reveal her people or her lineage, because Mordecai had instructed her not to do so.

Traditional

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.

Literal

Esther had not declared her people and her kindred, for Mordecai had laid a charge on her that she should not declare it.

Latin

Quæ noluit indicare ei populum et patriam suam: Mardochæus enim præceperat ei, ut de hac re omnino reticeret:

Hebrew

English

Esther did not reveal her people or her lineage, because Mordecai had instructed her not to do so.

Mordecai had likely faced some prejudice against Jews. Esther's Jewish heritage would later help her reveal Haman's terrible plan.

Theme notes and profiles

Esther 2:20
Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed. She obeyed Mordecai’s command, as she had done under his care.
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Esther 3:8
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.
Esther 4:13–14
…he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.
Esther 7:4
For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.”
Esther 2:7
And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, because she did not have a father or mother. The young woman was lovely in form and appearance, and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter.

Esther: Jewish queen of Persia; saved her people from genocide Mordecai: Esther's cousin, a Jewish leader in the Persian court