and Mordecai, by Aert de Gelder]]Mordecai or Mordechai () - the son of Jair, of the tribe of Benjamin, is one of the main personalities in the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. His life and deeds Mordecai resided in Susa, the metropolis of Persia. He adopted his cousin Hadassah (Esther), an orphan child, whom he tenderly brought up as his own daughter. When "fair young virgins" were sought, she was brought into the presence of king Ahasuerus and subsequently made queen in the place of the deposed queen Vashti. Mordecai was then promoted to some office in the court, and was one of those who "sat in the king's gate". While holding this office, he discovered a plot of the eunuchs to put the king to death, which, by his vigilance, was defeated. His services to the king in this matter were duly recorded in the royal chronicles. Haman the Agagite had been raised to the highest position at court. Mordecai refu