20.
Strangely enough, Mordecai had admittance to the palace of the king. The reason for this access is not told but at the least he would have been a servant and would have learned all the palace gossip. His genealogy is given and indicates that up to three generations were born in captivity. His great grandfather, Kish had been taken in captivity and removed from Jerusalem to Babylon. The names of four generations are given. Therefore they must bear an importance to the book of Esther, other than just a genealogy.
These names are given a variety of meanings which makes it difficult to be exact. However, with each one there emerged a general meaning of the name and a message to be heard. We begin with the father of Mordecai, a man named Jair. In his name we find a meaning which is always associated with the Lord. The shining one, the one who enlightens. Nelson, gave a very beautiful explanation in, ìmay Jehovah shine forth.î Light and the Lord are inseparable, for the Lord is light. 1 John 1:5 All during the seventy years of their captivity they remembered the Lord and their homeland. The light of the Lord did not leave them. Note Psalm 137.
Shimei, was the grandfather of Mordecai. In his name the emotions of the captives as seen in Psalm 137 are also expressed. Particularly in relationship to the Lord. The thought emerges from his name of one who hears and obeys the will of the Lord. Therefore is the protector of the reputation of the Lord as well as his own. Declaring that the Lord is famous and is the renowned one. Also, hear me (El) of (Jah) is given as a translation. Thus we see that prayer was made to the Lord in the land of their captivity. The meaning of names in the scriptures is fascinating for so often there is a prophecy for all, or the nation, or even the individual. Their character and actions are often reflected in the connotation of their names.