Esther 2:20 (KJV)

Passage

Esther had not yet shewed 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.

Nearby Context

Esther 2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.

Esther 2:19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.

Esther 2:20 Esther had not yet shewed 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 2:21 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.

Esther 2:22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "esther", "shewed", "kindred", "people", "mordecai", "charged", and "commandment". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "esther" and "shewed", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "And when the virgins were gathered together..." into verse 21's "In those days while Mordecai sat in...", so "esther" and "shewed" belong inside that flow. In Esther context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "esther" and "shewed" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.