Esther 2:20

20 All this time, Esther had kept her family background and race a secret as Mordecai had ordered; Esther still did what Mordecai told her, just as when she was being raised by him.

Esther 2:20 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 2:20

Esther had not showed her kindred nor her people, as Mordecai
had charged her
As not before, so neither since she was made queen, see ( Esther 2:10 ) , though, according to the Targums, she was urged to it by the king himself:

for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was
brought up with him:
which showed great humility in her, notwithstanding her advancement, great respect to him, and a sense of gratitude for the kindness he had shown; and this charge to her was still continued by Mordecai, partly that she might not fall into contempt, and partly to prevent hatred and envy to the Jewish nation, through her promotion; but chiefly so it was ordered in Providence, the proper time being not yet come.

Esther 2:20 In-Context

18 Then the king gave a great banquet for all his nobles and officials - "Esther's Banquet." He proclaimed a holiday for all the provinces and handed out gifts with royal generosity.

19 On one of the occasions when the virgins were being gathered together, Mordecai was sitting at the King's Gate.

20 All this time, Esther had kept her family background and race a secret as Mordecai had ordered; Esther still did what Mordecai told her, just as when she was being raised by him.

21 On this day, with Mordecai sitting at the King's Gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had it in for the king and were making plans to kill King Xerxes.

22 But Mordecai learned of the plot and told Queen Esther, who then told King Xerxes, giving credit to Mordecai. When the thing was investigated and confirmed as true, the two men were hanged on a gallows. This was all written down in a logbook kept for the king's use.