When the virgins were assembled a second time
This phrase indicates a continuation of the process that began in Esther 2:8, 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.

Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate
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 (Esther 2:21-23), 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 Ruth 4:1-11 and Proverbs 31:23.

1. Virgins
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.

2. Mordecai
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.

3. King's Gate
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.

4. King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)
The Persian king during this time, known for his vast empire and the events leading to Esther becoming queen.

5. Esther
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.God's Sovereignty in Placement
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.

Faithfulness in the Mundane
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.

Preparation for Future Challenges
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.

Community and Influence
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.(19) And when the virgins . . .--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 (Esther 3:7). 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 (Esther 2:2). We should treat Esther 2:20 as parenthetical, and join Esther 2:21 closely to Esther 2:19.

Then Mordecai sat.--Translate, and Mordecai was sitting. . . .

Verse 19. - When the virgins were gathered together. 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


When the virgins
בְּתוּל֖וֹת (bə·ṯū·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1330: A virgin, sometimes, a bride

were assembled
וּבְהִקָּבֵ֥ץ (ū·ḇə·hiq·qā·ḇêṣ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

a second [time],
שֵׁנִ֑ית (šê·nîṯ)
Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

Mordecai
וּמָרְדֳּכַ֖י (ū·mā·rə·do·ḵay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4782: Mordecai -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther

was sitting
יֹשֵׁ֥ב (yō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

at the King’s
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Gate.
בְּשַֽׁעַר־ (bə·ša·‘ar-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate


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OT History: Esther 2:19 When the virgins were gathered together (Est Esth. Es)