Nehemiah 10
Esther 10 is the final chapter of the Book of Esther, bringing the story to a very short and concise close. It consists of three verses, describing the achievements of King Ahasuerus (that is, Xerxes I) and how Mordecai was honored and rose to a certain position among the Jews and the people. This is the concluding section of the entire Book of Esther, showing the Jews’ safety and prosperity as well as the establishment of Mordecai’s great status.
1verseNow those who sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
2verseSeraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3versePashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,
4verseHattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
5verseHarim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
6verseDaniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
7verseMeshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
8verseMaaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These were the priests.
9verseThe Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
10verseand their brothers, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
11verseMica, Rehob, Hashabiah,
12verseZaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
13verseHodiah, Bani, and Beninu.
14verseThe chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,
15verseBunni, Azgad, Bebai,
16verseAdonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
17verseAter, Hezekiah, Azzur,
18verseHodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
19verseHariph, Anathoth, Nobai,
20verseMagpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
21verseMeshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,
22versePelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
23verseHoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,
24verseHallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,
25verseRehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
26verseAhiah, Hanan, Anan,
27verseMalluch, Harim, and Baanah.
28verseThe rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters—everyone who had knowledge and understanding—
29versejoined with their brothers, their nobles, and entered into a curse and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his ordinances and his statutes;
30verseand that we would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons;
31verseand if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year crops and the exaction of every debt.
32verseAlso we made ordinances for ourselves, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:
33versefor the show bread, for the continual meal offering, for the continual burnt offering, for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set feasts, for the holy things, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
34verseWe, the priests, the Levites, and the people, cast lots for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed year by year, to burn on the LORD our God’s altar, as it is written in the law;
35verseand to bring the first fruits of our ground and the first fruits of all fruit of all kinds of trees, year by year, to the LORD’s house;
36versealso the firstborn of our sons and of our livestock, as it is written in the law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God;
37verseand that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, our wave offerings, the fruit of all kinds of trees, and the new wine and the oil, to the priests, to the rooms of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground to the Levites; for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all our farming villages.
38verseThe priest, the descendent of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites take tithes. The Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms, into the treasure house.
39verseFor the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the wave offering of the grain, of the new wine, and of the oil, to the rooms where the vessels of the sanctuary are, and the priests who minister, with the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not forsake the house of our God.
Summary of the Main Content
- Verse 1: It is recorded that King Ahasuerus imposed tribute on all the lands and islands under his rule. This means that his reign was strong and far-reaching.
- Verse 2: The king’s power and authority, as well as Mordecai’s honored deeds, are introduced. It mentions that these things were officially recorded in the king’s chronicles, suggesting that they were preserved as historical facts at the time.
- Verse 3: Mordecai becomes the king’s second-in-command and appears being respected by the Jews and many people. It emphasizes that he devoted himself to good things for his people and sought the well-being of all his fellow countrymen.
Overall Meaning
Esther 10 ultimately summarizes the safety and stability that came to the Jewish people through the actions of Mordecai and Esther. At the same time, it emphasizes that Mordecai did not misuse his power but instead exercised a good influence, presenting an example of a proper leader. For readers who see hidden providence throughout Esther, this brief conclusion also points to protection and reversal operating behind the visible political events.
Points for Reflection
- After Mordecai is honored, let’s think about what attitude he took in serving the people.
- Even though God is not mentioned directly in the conclusion of every event, we can reflect on how we might feel God’s working and guidance.
Try Applying It to Me
- In the place I’m assigned, think about how I can benefit others and what good influence I can have for the community.
- In my life today as well, I can place my trust in the fact that God is working, and consider renewing my commitment so that I can faithfully carry out the role I’ve been given.
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