[Before Esther can be introduced, Mordecai is introduced. This is his Babylonian name and it probably originates from the Babylonian creator god Marduk, but the name may also have Persian origins meaning ‘little boy’. Probably he also had a Hebrew name, see ; .]
There was a certain Jew in the palace of Susa whose name was Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish [indicating that he was from the family of Saul, see ; ]. He was a Benjamite
