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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Esther 2:19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/esther/2-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/17_Est_02_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Esther 2:19 - Esther Becomes Queen" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/esther/2-18.htm" title="Esther 2:18">◄</a> Esther 2:19 <a href="/esther/2-20.htm" title="Esther 2:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/esther/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/esther/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king&#8217s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/esther/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Even after all the young women had been transferred to the second harem and Mordecai had become a palace official,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/esther/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/esther/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/esther/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/esther/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When virgins were gathered together a second time, Mordecai sat within the king’s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/esther/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now when the virgins were gathered together for the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/esther/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king&#8217s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/esther/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/esther/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/esther/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/esther/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/esther/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the young women were assembled together for a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King&#8217s Gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/esther/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/esther/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When the young women were brought together again, Esther's cousin Mordecai had become a palace official. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/esther/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/esther/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/esther/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Meanwhile Mordecai had been appointed by the king to an administrative position. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/esther/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/esther/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king?s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/esther/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now when the young women were being gathered again, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/esther/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the King's Gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/esther/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when the virgins were assembled the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/esther/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/esther/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And in the virgins being gathered a second time, then Mordecai is sitting in the gate of the king;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/esther/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And in the virgins being gathered a second time, then Mordecai is sitting in the gate of the king;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/esther/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And in the gathering together the virgins the second time, and Mordecai sat in the gate of the king.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/esther/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when the virgins were sought the second time, and gathered together, Mardochai stayed at the king's gate, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/esther/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 4:19>And when the virgins were sought for the second time and gathered together, Mordecai remained at the king’s gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/esther/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />As was said, from the time the virgins had been brought together, and while Mordecai was passing his time at the king’s gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/esther/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When the virgins were being gathered together, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/esther/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/esther/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when the virgins were gathered the second time, Murdacai was sitting in the gate of the King.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/esther/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, and Mordecai sat in the king's gate--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/esther/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But Mardochaeus served in the palace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/esther/2-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRosJDhNG-8?start=517" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/esther/2.htm">Esther Becomes Queen</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1330.htm" title="1330: bə·ṯū·lō·wṯ (N-fp) -- Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin; sometimes a bride; also a city or state.">When the virgins</a> <a href="/hebrew/6908.htm" title="6908: ū·ḇə·hiq·qā·ḇêṣ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: V-Nifal-Inf) -- To gather, collect. A primitive root; to grasp, i.e. Collect.">were assembled</a> <a href="/hebrew/8145.htm" title="8145: šê·nîṯ (Number-ofs) -- Second (an ord. number). From shanah; properly, double, i.e. Second; also adverbially, again.">a second time,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4782.htm" title="4782: ū·mā·rə·do·ḵay (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther. Of foreign derivation; Mordecai, an Israelite.">Mordecai</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">was sitting</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">at the king’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: bə·ša·‘ar- (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">gate.</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2</a></span><br />All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/6-2.htm">Esther 6:2</a></span><br />And there it was found recorded that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the king’s entrance, when they had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/8-15.htm">Esther 8:15</a></span><br />Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/10-3.htm">Esther 10:3</a></span><br />For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-10.htm">Nehemiah 2:10</a></span><br />But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-28.htm">Nehemiah 13:28</a></span><br />Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-3.htm">Daniel 6:3</a></span><br />Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4</a></span><br />Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-24.htm">1 Samuel 10:24</a></span><br />Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/1-35.htm">1 Kings 1:35</a></span><br />Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">2 Chronicles 36:22-23</a></span><br />In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6</a></span><br />At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-26.htm">Proverbs 29:26</a></span><br />Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-17.htm">Matthew 27:17-18</a></span><br />So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” / For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-10.htm">Mark 15:10</a></span><br />For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.</p><p class="hdg">the virgins.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/2-3.htm">Esther 2:3,4</a></b></br> And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given <i>them</i>: … </p><p class="hdg">sat in the king's gate.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/2-21.htm">Esther 2:21</a></b></br> In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/3-2.htm">Esther 3:2,3</a></b></br> And all the king's servants, that <i>were</i> in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did <i>him</i> reverence… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/5-13.htm">Esther 5:13</a></b></br> Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/2-8.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-39.htm">Doorway</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-39.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/esther/2-8.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/esther/2-16.htm">House</a> <a href="/esther/2-18.htm">King's</a> <a href="/esther/2-15.htm">Mordecai</a> <a href="/esther/2-11.htm">Mor'decai</a> <a href="/esther/1-14.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-7.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/esther/2-14.htm">Second</a> <a href="/esther/1-14.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/esther/1-2.htm">Time</a> <a href="/esther/2-8.htm">Together</a> <a href="/esther/2-17.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/esther/2-17.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/9-15.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/esther/4-2.htm">Doorway</a> <a href="/esther/2-21.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/esther/9-2.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/esther/3-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/esther/2-21.htm">King's</a> <a href="/esther/2-20.htm">Mordecai</a> <a href="/esther/2-20.htm">Mor'decai</a> <a href="/esther/2-21.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/esther/7-2.htm">Second</a> <a href="/esther/2-21.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/esther/4-14.htm">Time</a> <a href="/esther/3-15.htm">Together</a> <a href="/psalms/45-14.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Esther 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/2-1.htm">Out of the choice of virgins a queen is to be chosen.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/2-5.htm">Mordecai the nursing father of Esther.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/2-8.htm">Esther preferred before the rest.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/2-12.htm">The manner of purification, and going in to the king.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/2-15.htm">Esther, best pleasing the king, is made queen.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/2-21.htm">Mordecai, discovering a treason, is recorded in the chronicles.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/esther/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/esther/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/esther/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When the virgins were assembled a second time</b><br>This phrase indicates a continuation of the process that began in <a href="/esther/2-8.htm">Esther 2:8</a>, where young women were gathered for King Xerxes' selection of a new queen. The "second time" suggests that this was a recurring event, possibly to replenish the harem or for another purpose related to the king's court. The gathering of virgins reflects the practices of Persian royalty, where the king had the authority to summon women from across the empire. This practice underscores the absolute power of the king and the vulnerability of the subjects, especially women, in the ancient Near Eastern context.<p><b>Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate</b><br>Mordecai's presence at the king's gate signifies his role and status within the Persian empire. The king's gate was not merely an entrance but a place of official business and legal matters, akin to a modern-day courthouse or city hall. Mordecai's position here suggests he held a role of some importance, possibly as an official or a judge. This location is significant in the narrative, as it places Mordecai in a position to overhear the plot against the king (<a href="/esther/2-21.htm">Esther 2:21-23</a>), which later becomes crucial for the deliverance of the Jewish people. The king's gate also symbolizes a place of decision-making and authority, foreshadowing Mordecai's rise to power. This setting connects to other biblical instances where city gates are places of judgment and leadership, such as in <a href="/ruth/4.htm">Ruth 4:1-11</a> and <a href="/proverbs/31-23.htm">Proverbs 31:23</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/v/virgins.htm">Virgins</a></b><br>These were young women gathered for King Xerxes' selection of a new queen. The assembly of virgins a second time suggests ongoing preparations or selections for the king's harem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mordecai.htm">Mordecai</a></b><br>A Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, Mordecai is Esther's cousin and guardian. His presence at the king's gate indicates his position of influence or duty within the Persian court.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/king's_gate.htm">King's Gate</a></b><br>This was a place of official business and judgment in the Persian Empire. Mordecai's presence here signifies his role in the administrative or judicial processes of the kingdom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_xerxes.htm">King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)</a></b><br>The Persian king during this time, known for his vast empire and the events leading to Esther becoming queen.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/esther.htm">Esther</a></b><br>Though not directly mentioned in this verse, Esther is central to the account. Her rise to queen is pivotal in the unfolding events of the Book of Esther.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_placement.htm">God's Sovereignty in Placement</a></b><br>Mordecai's position at the king's gate was not by chance. God places His people strategically for His purposes. Reflect on where God has placed you and how you can serve His kingdom there.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_the_mundane.htm">Faithfulness in the Mundane</a></b><br>Mordecai's consistent presence at the gate shows faithfulness in his duties. We are called to be faithful in our daily responsibilities, trusting that God uses our faithfulness for His greater plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_future_challenges.htm">Preparation for Future Challenges</a></b><br>The gathering of virgins a second time suggests ongoing preparation. Similarly, God prepares us through our experiences for future challenges and opportunities to serve Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_influence.htm">Community and Influence</a></b><br>Mordecai's role at the gate allowed him to influence and protect his people. Consider how your roles and relationships can be used to positively impact your community and stand for righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_esther_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Esther 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_evidence_for_mordecai's_role.htm">Why is there no clear historical or archaeological evidence supporting Mordecai’s position “at the king’s gate” in Esther 2:19–21?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_mordecai's_rise_in_esther_8_2.htm">What evidence exists that supports Mordecai’s elevation to high authority in Esther 8:2, considering Persian records rarely reference Jewish officials? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_punishment_for_mordecai's_mourning.htm">Why does Esther 4:2 not mention any punishment for Mordecai's public mourning, despite Persian laws about court protocol?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_mordecai's_book_referenced.htm">Esther 10:2 - Why aren't the 'book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia' referenced by other sources if it so prominently features Mordecai?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/esther/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">And when the virgins</span> <span class= "bld">. . .</span>--Here begins a fresh incident in the history, whose date we cannot fix precisely, save that it falls between the marriage of Esther and the twelfth year of Ahasuerus (<a href="/esther/3-7.htm" title="In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.">Esther 3:7</a>). The king "loved Esther above all the women," but how the word "love "is degraded in this connection is seen by the fact that after she had been his wife certainly less (possibly much less) than five years, there takes place a second gathering of virgins (there is no article in the Hebrew), like the one previously mentioned (<a href="/esther/2-2.htm" title="Then said the king's servants that ministered to him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:">Esther 2:2</a>). We should treat <a href="/esther/2-20.htm" title="Esther had not yet showed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.">Esther 2:20</a> as parenthetical, and join <a href="/esther/2-21.htm" title="In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.">Esther 2:21</a> closely to <a href="/esther/2-19.htm" title="And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.">Esther 2:19</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Then Mordecai sat.</span>--Translate, <span class= "ital">and Mordecai was sitting.</span> . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/esther/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When the virgins were gathered together</span>. Rather, "When virgins." There is no article. The fact seems to be mentioned simply as furnishing a date, and we must suppose both that there was a second gathering, and that the time when it happened was generally known to the Jews and Persians. Then Mordecai sat, etc. The three verses, 19, 20, 21, hang together, and form a single sentence: "When virgins were gathered together a second time, and Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate - now Esther had not showed her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther did the command of Mordecai like as when she was brought up with him - in those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, being of the number of them which kept the threshold, were wroth," etc. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/esther/2-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When the virgins</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתוּל֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯū·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1330.htm">Strong's 1330: </a> </span><span class="str2">A virgin, sometimes, a bride</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were assembled</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְהִקָּבֵ֥ץ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·hiq·qā·ḇêṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6908.htm">Strong's 6908: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gather, collect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a second [time],</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁנִ֑ית</span> <span class="translit">(šê·nîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - ordinal feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8145.htm">Strong's 8145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Second (an ordinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Mordecai</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמָרְדֳּכַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mā·rə·do·ḵay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4782.htm">Strong's 4782: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mordecai -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was sitting</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹשֵׁ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(yō·šêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at the King’s</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Gate.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשַֽׁעַר־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ša·‘ar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, gate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/esther/2-19.htm">Esther 2:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/esther/2-19.htm">OT History: Esther 2:19 When the virgins were gathered together (Est Esth. Es) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/esther/2-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Esther 2:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Esther 2:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/esther/2-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Esther 2:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Esther 2:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>