John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. Now in Shushan the palace was a certain Jew , etc.] Not one of the tribe of Judah, for he was afterwards called a Benjaminite; but was so called, because he was of the kingdom of Judah, which consisted of both tribes. Jarchi says, all that were carried captive with the kings of Judah were called Jews among the nations, though of another tribe: whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite ; who was among those that came with Zerubbabel from Babylon to Jerusalem, and returned to Persia again, ( Ezra 2:2 Nehemiah 7:7), though some think this was another Mordecai; (See Gill on “ Ezra 2:2”), who descended not from Kish, the father of Saul, but a later and more obscure person.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-20 - We see to what absurd practices those came, who were destitute of Divine revelation, and what need there was of the gospel of Christ, to purify men from the lusts of the flesh, and to bring them back to the original institution of marriage. Esther was preferred as queen. Thos who suggest that Esther committed sin to come at this dignity, do no consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took was married to him, and was his wife, though of a lower rank But how low is human nature sunk, when such as these are the leadin pursuits and highest worldly happiness of men! Disappointment an vexation must follow; and he most wisely consults his enjoyment, eve in this present life, who most exactly obeys the precepts of the Divin law. But let us turn to consider the wise and merciful providence of God, carrying on his deep but holy designs in the midst of all this And let no change in our condition be a pretext for forgetting ou duties to parents, or the friends who have stood in their place.
Original Hebrew אישׁ376 יהודי3064 היה1961 בשׁושׁן7800 הבירה1002 ושׁמו8034 מרדכי4782 בן1121 יאיר2971 בן1121 שׁמעי8096 בן1121 קישׁ7027 אישׁ ימיני׃1145
