Mordecai in the Bible — The Man Who Would Not Bow

Mordecai was a Jewish man of the tribe of Benjamin living in Susa when Esther was taken to be queen. His refusal to bow to the king's prime minister Haman set off the crisis of the entire book. His charge to Esther — 'who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?' — is one of Scripture's most famous statements of divine providence. After Haman's downfall, Mordecai rose to second in the empire. Below are 6 key passages from the King James Version (KJV) on this theme.

What does the Bible say about mordecai?

Who is Mordecai in the Bible? Esther's older cousin and guardian who refused to bow to Haman, warned Esther of the threat to her people, and ultimately rose to second in command of the Persian Empire after Haman's downfall.

6 Bible Verses About Mordecai (KJV)

“And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.”

Esther 3:2 KJV Read Esther chapter 3 →

“When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;”

Esther 4:1 KJV — The Parable of the Sower Read Esther chapter 4 →

“Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.”

Esther 4:13 KJV — The Parable of the Sower Read Esther chapter 4 →

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:14 KJV — The Parable of the Sower Read Esther chapter 4 →

“And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.”

Esther 8:2 KJV — Feeding the Five Thousand Read Esther chapter 8 →

“For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.”

Esther 10:3 KJV — What God Has Joined Together Read Esther chapter 10 →

Read These Passages in Full Context

Frequently Asked Questions About Mordecai in the Bible

What does the Bible say about mordecai?
Mordecai was a Jewish man of the tribe of Benjamin living in Susa when Esther was taken to be queen. His refusal to bow to the king's prime minister Haman set off the crisis of the entire book. His charge to Esther — 'who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?' — is one of Scripture's most famous statements of divine providence. After Haman's downfall, Mordecai rose to second in the empire. Key KJV passages: Esther 3:2, Esther 4:1, Esther 4:13, Esther 4:14, Esther 8:2.
What are the best Bible verses about mordecai?
The most important KJV passages on mordecai include: Esther 3:2, Esther 4:1, Esther 4:13, Esther 4:14, Esther 8:2. Read all 6 passages free at The Living Sword Bible — no account, no ads.
Where in the Bible does it talk about mordecai?
The Bible addresses mordecai throughout both Testaments. Key references include Esther 3:2, Esther 4:1, Esther 4:13, Esther 4:14, Esther 8:2, Esther 10:3. Explore every passage in context at thelivingsword.org.
What does the Old Testament say about mordecai?
Old Testament scriptures on mordecai: Esther 3:2, Esther 4:1, Esther 4:13, Esther 4:14. See them in full context free at The Living Sword.
How do I study Bible verses about mordecai?
The Living Sword Bible app offers word-by-word study with original Hebrew and Greek, multiple translations (KJV, World English Bible, Geneva Bible, Young's Literal, ASV, Darby), cross-references, and an AI companion that answers only from Scripture. Read all 6 passages on mordecai at thelivingsword.org — free, no account, no download required.

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Available translations: King James Version (KJV), World English Bible (WEB), Geneva Bible 1599, Darby Translation, Young's Literal Translation (YLT), American Standard Version (ASV), and the Living Sword Translation.