gate. lofty porch. Hebrew. sha'ar. See note on Esther 2:21.
bowed. Hebrew. kara', Kara', used of idols (1 Kings 19:18; 2 Chronicles 29:29). Shahah is the word used of bowing to kings and others.
commanded. appointed or charged. Hebrew. zavah.
Mordecai. See note on Esther 2:5.
bowed not. He could not bow to an Amalekite, against whom Jehovah had declared perpetual war. See note on Exodus 17:16.