The interpretation timeline

Esth 2:11

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

1 Jewish · 2 Reformed · 2 Catholic

Esth 2:11 · Douay-Rheims
“And he walked every day before the court of the house, in which the chosen virgins were kept, having a care for Esther’s welfare, and desiring to know what would befall her.”
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
1105
A.D.
Rashi Jewish
1040–1105
“and what would be done to her He was one of two righteous men to whom a hint of salvation was given: David and Mordecai. David—as it is said (I Sam. 17:36): “Both the lion and the bear has your bondsman smote.” He said [to himself], “This incident happened to me only to teach me to have faith that I can battle with this one [Goliath].” Likewise, Mordecai said [to himself], “The only reason that this righteous woman was taken to the bed of a gentile was because she is destined to arise and save Israel.” He therefore went around to find out what would be her fate.”
Source
666 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Post-Reformation c. 1650 – 1900
1771
A.D.
John Gill Reformed
1697–1771
“And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house,.... Being one of the court, and in an high post, as Aben Ezra thinks, he might walk there without being examined, and called to an account for it: to know how Esther did; to inquire of her health and prosperity, or peace, the word here used signifies, even all sorts of it: and what should become of her; or was done to her, whether she was well used, or as yet introduced to the king, how it fared with her, and what befell her.”
Source
1849
A.D.
1774–1849
“Court. He was one of the life-guards, chap. xi. 3. (Tirinus) — This situation enabled him to disclose a conspiracy, (ver. 23., and chap. xii. 5.) as he often went to enquire after the health of Esther. (Calmet)”
1849
A.D.
1774–1849
“) (Tirinus) — This second inquiry is here specified, to introduce the following account. (Menochius)”
1871
A.D.
1871
“Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house--The harem is an inviolable sanctuary, and what is transacted within its walls is as much a secret to those without as if they were thousands of miles away. But hints were given him through the eunuchs.”
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.