Esther's relative living at the time of Exile and Return
Mordecai
A Benjamite living in Susa, whose family had been carried from Jerusalem with Jeconiah. He raised his orphaned cousin Esther as his own daughter (Esther 2:5–7). He uncovered a plot against the king and was recorded in the chronicles, but refused to bow to Haman, who then plotted to kill all the Jews (Esther 2:21–23; 3:1–6). One sleepless night the king had the records read, learned that Mordecai had never been rewarded, and had Haman himself lead him through the city in royal honor (Esther 6). Mordecai became second to the king, “great among the Jews and accepted by the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his descendants” (Esther 8:15; 10:3).
Family
- Father
- Jair