Mordecai

Mordecai
Recorded as both Mordacai and Mordecai, this was originally a personal name, becoming much later, a surname. However spelt it is of ancient Hebrew origins, and although once thought to have some Breton-Celtic-Welsh ancestry, this is is almost certainly not the case. The origin is believed to be from the very beginings of written history. The translations are varied and include as 'taught by god' or possibly 'taught of god', whilst another alternative origin which may give some clue to the ultimate ancestry is that of 'the follower of Marduk'. He is given as being the founder of the original state of Babylon in the fourth millenium before Christ. From this it can be seen that this may well be one of the most ancient, if indeed not THE most ancient name, that it is possible to have. Early examples of the surname recording are not easy to find, but in 1834 in the then region of Palestine and part of the Turkish Empire, and in the year 1834 we have the entry of Shumad Moracair. He was given as being the son of Helel and Hanah Mordacai, and born in the town of Jiljiliyah, in Judea, in that year.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • MORDECAI — (Heb. מָרְדֳּכַי ,מָרְדֳּכָי hypocoristic masculine proper name containing the theophoric element Marduk), name of two Biblical figures: 1) One of the 12 leaders who returned from Babylonia to Jerusalem at the time of Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2; Neh. 7 …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Mordecai — m Biblical: the name of Esther s cousin and foster father, who secured her introduction to King Ahasuerus (Esther 2–9). The name is of Persian origin and seems to have meant ‘devotee of the god Marduk’. It had some currency among English Puritans …   First names dictionary

  • Mordecai — masc. proper name, biblical cousin of Esther, from Heb. Mordekhay, from Akkad. Marduk, chief god of the city of Babylon …   Etymology dictionary

  • Mordecai — [môr′də kī΄] n. [Heb mordĕkhai] 1. a masculine name: dim. Mordy 2. Bible the cousin of Esther (in the Book of Esther), who saved the Jews from the destruction planned by Haman: cf. PURIM …   English World dictionary

  • Mordecai — For other uses, see Mordecai (disambiguation). Esther and Mordecai, by Aert de Gelder Mordecai or Mordechai (Hebrew: מָרְדֳּכַי, Modern  …   Wikipedia

  • Mordecai —    The son of Jair, of the tribe of Benjamin. It has been alleged that he was carried into captivity with Jeconiah, and hence that he must have been at least one hundred and twenty nine years old in the twelfth year of Ahasuerus (Xerxes). But the …   Easton's Bible Dictionary

  • Mordecai — /mawr di kuy , mawr di kay uy/, n. 1. the cousin and guardian of Esther who delivered the Jews from the destruction planned by Haman. Esther 2 8. 2. a male given name. * * * In the biblical book of Esther, the cousin or guardian of Esther.… …   Universalium

  • Mordecai — (fl. 5th cent BCE)    Persian palace official at Shushan during the reign of Ahasuerus. His niece Esther was part of the king s harem. Through her Mordecai informed the king of an assassination plot against him. Later, when Mordecai refused to… …   Dictionary of Jewish Biography

  • Mordecai — A Jewish hero in the story of Esther, which illustrates the reversal of fortunes. His execution for lack of respect to Haman, favourite in the court of the Persian king Ahasuerus, was authorized by the king, along with extermination of Jews… …   Dictionary of the Bible

  • Mordecai Richler — Born January 27, 1931(1931 01 27) Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Died July 3, 2001(2001 07 03) (aged 70)[1] Occupation …   Wikipedia

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