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Mordecai

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Biblical figure and cousin of Esther who exposed a plot against the Jews and played a key role in their deliverance.

Detailed Definition
Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, triggering the Purim story. He later became prime minister. In poetry, Mordecai symbolizes quiet courage, Jewish identity under threat, and the hidden hand of providence working through ordinary fidelity.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Esther 2–10, Mordecai’s refusal to bow inspires Purim poems about Jewish resistance; 17th-century verse depicts Mordecai uncovering plots as model of civic vigilance; Contemporary Jewish poetry honors Mordecai as diaspora hero who preserved identity; In poems about courage, Mordecai’s declaration—“I am a Jew”—resonates with defiance; Some liturgical works celebrate Mordecai in songs of deliverance and reversal; Educational poems cite Mordecai to explore themes of hidden providence.
Additional Notes
Mordecai, cousin and guardian of Esther, plays a pivotal role in thwarting Haman’s plot in the Book of Esther; his steadfastness and eventual honor (paraded through Susa) embody themes of hidden providence, Jewish identity, and reversal of fortune—rich material for dramatic or historical poetry.
Also Known As
Mordecai cousin of Esther Mordecai the Jew
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