Evidently it was Kish, Mordecai's great-grandfather, who went into captivity with Jehoiachin (vv. 5-6).38This means Mordecai and Esther were probably descendants of the leading citizens of Jerusalem who went into exile in 597 B.C., perhaps nobility (cf. 2 Kings 24:12).
Mordecai's name is Persian as is Esther's, and it has connections with the god Marduk.39Nevertheless it was common for the Jews in captivity to receive and to use pagan names (cf. Dan. 1:7; Ezra 1:8). This does not necessarily indicate that they were apostate Jews (cf. Dan. 1:7). The Marduk tablet, an extra-biblical cuneiform document, may contain a reference to Mordecai.40
"Hadasseh"(v. 7) is a Jewish name that means myrtle, a beautiful fragrant tree. The Jews still sometimes carry myrtle branches, which signify peace and thanksgiving, in procession during the feast of Tabernacles.41"Esther"is Persian and means "star."It derives from the same root as "Ishtar,"the Babylonian goddess of love. Esther cooperated in practices contrary to the Mosaic Law. These included having sex with a man not her husband (Exod. 20:14), marrying a pagan (Deut. 7:1-4), and eating unclean food (Lev. 11:46-47). This sets Esther in contrast to Daniel who purposed not to defile himself (Dan. 1:5, 8). God used her as Israel's deliverer even though she disregarded His will at least partially (cf. Samson). Mordecai encouraged her to cooperate with the king (vv. 10-11).
"The Persian name would enable Esther to keep secret her foreign identity."42
Esther charmed Hegai, who was in charge of the king's women, and he proceeded to grant her favor (v. 9; cf. Dan. 1:9). Her ability to keep information confidential and her obedience to Mordecai (v. 10) mark her as a wise woman (cf. Prov. 13:1, 3).
There are several parallels between the story of Esther and the story of the Exodus. These have led a few scholars to conclude that the writer patterned this story after the story of Moses and the Exodus.43Similarities include the plot and central theme, the adopted child with the concealed identity, reluctance to appeal to the king at first, the execution of many enemies, the Amalekite foe, and others. Though some similarities do exist, most scholars have not agreed that the writer deliberately constructed the Book of Esther after Exodus 1-12.44
