Introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. The significance of the chiasm for interpretation, however, has. Like song of solomon, obadiah, and nahum, the new testament does not quote or allude to esther. This final reversal is effected by esthers approach to the king to. The political lessons of the book of esther yael shahar. Childs notes the typology which the writer uses in identifying haman and mordecai through genealogies when he writes, haman, the enemy of the jews, is portrayed as the son of hammedatha, the agagite 3. Esther and additions to esther biblical studies oxford. All of these teachings are powerful and depict true courage and devotion.
The book of esther is unusual gods name is not mentioned once, yet gods hand is. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and made it known to esther who passed the news to the king. In the book of esther this information is casually presented as unimportant, but comes up later in the story. It is not clear what the main point of the book of esther is, or whether there is a main point, or several main points in the book. The story of esther reads like a movie plot, with a beautiful queen risking her life to prevent genocide. But for those who know the larger story of the bible, gods hidden hand can be discerned in these events, working to protect and preserve israel. The literal account of the purim story makes the meaning clear in the. The book of esther shows the choice we make between seeing the hand of god in our circumstances in life and seeing things as merely coincidence.
The book relates the story of a hebrew woman in persia, born as hadassah but known as esther, who becomes queen of persia and. The massacre had been plotted by the kings chief minister, haman, and the date decided by casting lots purim. The story forms the core of the jewish festival of purim, during which it is read aloud twice. Could it be that the absence of mentioning god is directly. Christian reflections on the song of songs, ruth, lamentations, ecclesiastes and esther books of esther. She was a jewess named hadassah the myrtle, but when she entered the royal harem she received the name by which she henceforth became known esther 2. The hebrew book of esther had a religious and social value to the jews during the time of greek and roman antisemitism, though the hebrew short story did not directly mention gods intervention in historyand even god himself is not named. As with most of the ot writings the author of the book of esther esther meaning star is not mentioned. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The name esther itself is an indication as to how she led her life and fulfilled her role. Judaism refers to esther as the megillah of esther, meaning scroll of esther. Illustration as interpretation of the book of esther the book of esther is traditionally read on the holiday of purim. Biblical literature biblical literature greek additions to esther. Esther complete bible book chapters and summary new.
Jews fate is reversed by the writing of a second edict, which authorizes jewish selfdefence. Who was esther in the bible and why was she so important. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. What few people realise is that the book of esther has both an overt and a covert message.
The book of esther serves as the authorizing document for purim, a holiday that is not mentioned in the torah. Or is this interpretation seriously missing something. No other biblical text is richer with meaning for american jews than the book of esther, as rabbi dr. Because his perspective was projewish, scholars believe he was a jew writing for the remnant that had returned to judah under zerubbabel. Oct 30, 2018 the book of esther is often read as comical, or as a celebration of a beautiful and clever heroine that ascends to queen but such a reading does not tell the whole story as it obscures, suppresses and condones largescale abuse in the form of trafficking women and girls. We saw in the last bible study that queen esther had, after some initial resistance, obeyed mordecai and made the decision to go to the king without being summoned. Yet, actually god is mentioned throughout the account. Just like he did for esther, the lord is working in all the behind the curtain processes in your life. Esther 12 resources multiple sermons and commentaries told queen esther while uncovering a plot to assassinate the king benefits the king, esther is also benefited for if he had died, her life would certainly be at risk. The book of esther may remind you of a classic, once upon a time childrens story with a wealthy king, his beautiful queen, and an evil villain. The information structure of the book of esther in the. Historians believe the book was written between 470424 b. Yet, the below the surface meaning of this festival has been cleverly hidden.
Mordecai, in chapter nine, recorded the events of purim, so there is some speculation that he wrote the book. It is a syroarabian modification of the persian word satarah, which means a star. The root of esther in hebrew is hester, meaning hidden. Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is. Working within a fallen system esther bible commentary. The dead sea scrolls contain fragments of each old testament book, with the exception of esther. The book of esther relates an amazing chain of events that first threatened, and then safeguarded and established, the welfare of gods people in the mighty. What spiritual lessons can we learn from this book. Esther is written during the period of the captivity. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll, is a book in the third section of the jewish tanakh. Book of esther explained discover books of the bible. The book of esther was likely written between 467 and 350 b. The book purports to explain how the feast of purim came to be celebrated by the jews.
In synagogues, it often chanted to a special melody and read from a scrollmegillah is the hebrew word for scrolland even though there are other scrolls, jews often refer to the book of esther as the megillah. Esther summary esther is written during the period of the captivity. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. A stern warning for catholic leaders from the book of esther. However, objections based on theological interpretation of a book can be answered by a better interpretation of the book. It also reveals deep and abiding spiritual truths about gods power to deliver us from danger and oppression, even when despotic rulers plan to do evil to gods people. This book and the book of ruth are the only old testament books named after women. She was planted in the earthly realm, but was lifted from obscurity and placed in a position of kingdom authority. The jewish historian josephus names mordecai as author of the book. Others propose ezra or possibly nehemiah because the books share similar literary styles.
Summary of the book of esther genuine leather bible. The book of esther has proved to be one of the most popular of the ot books. Hermeneutical implications of the chiastic structure of the book of esther anthony j. The book of esther begins with king ahasuerus known to history outside the bible as xerxes throwing a lavish. Many wonder why the book of esther is in the bible, because the name of god is not mentioned in it. The unknown author of the book of esther was most likely a jew very familiar with the royal persian court. This passage on the book of esther is a symbol from god on how all things for our beautiful lord work for his perfect purposes. Jun 14, 2004 the book of esther would also encourage them to worship the god of israel, though he is not mentioned by name in it ibid.
Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her. The book of esther in the bible is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. A bible commentary for teaching and preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the bible in the church. Mar 10, 2020 the book of esther is a story with something for everyone.
The story of esther is about a young jewish girl who marries the king of persia, although the meaning of the book of esther is much more involved than that. The book of esther is traditionally read on the holiday of purim. Would like to use if at the pauls run retirement community for a march weekly study of the book of esther. Following the holy spirits guide for your life is extremely important. Illustration as interpretation of the book of esther. The book of esther provides many biblical lessons that can be applied towards life today. Book of esther, book of the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. The overt literal meaning of the purim story is one of a divinely orchestrated deliverance. Apr 16, 2020 the book of esther is short, so it makes sense to read the whole book to get a sense of whats going on. May 25, 2011 esther 12 esther s uncle was mordecai. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned elsewhere in scripture. Esther presents us with an unusual opportunity to study the early growth and interpretation of a biblical story.
In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Carol bechtel expertly explores the historical settings, literary structures, and theological themes that emerge in the book of esther. Often we think that when someone is hiding something, it is out of a situation of embarrassment or discomfort. In esther scroll, clines uncovers this fascinating history by examining the book s literary and textual elements, the storys shape, and the shifts in meaning as new generations have retold the story and interpreted it for their own time. Oct 28, 2015 there is a brief passage in the book of esther that serves as reminder to catholic and other political leaders, judges, and other high officials and leaders, not to exclude those of the clerical. The detailed descriptions of court life and traditions, as well as the events that occurred in the book, point to an eyewitness author. Halpern points out in his introduction to esther in america. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. The book is named for the star of the story, a young jewish girl named hadassah who was taken from her guardian, mordecai, and forced to compete for the. Through the telling and retelling of the story, the book as it appears in the modern canon slowly emerges. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles. Biblical literature greek additions to esther britannica.
It is one of the five scrolls in the hebrew bible and later became part of the christian greek old testament. The megillah of esther megillah means scroll in hebrew is one of the five megillahs that are included in the biblical canon. In our youth ministry, we want to talk a little about the story of esther and im wanting another point of view on the principles in this story and the metaphysical interpretation. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. The book relates the story of a hebrew woman in persia, born as hadassah but known as esther, who becomes queen of persia and thwarts a genocide of her people. The book of esther tells a compelling story, dramatic and exciting, with clearly defined heroes and villains. It belongs to the third section of the judaic canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. It is a short story similar to the book of ruth, starting in the palace of shushan susa, one out of the three capitals of the persian empire. Messianic symbols, message in the book of esther hallel.
On the surface, it appears to be a story about survival, prejudice, and politics. To bring the canonical book uptodate in connection with contemporary anti. Esther, the beautiful jewish wife of the persian king ahasuerus, and her cousin mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general annihilation of jews throughout the empire. God is the sovereign ruler of the universe and we can be assured that his plans will not be moved by the actions of mere evil men. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israel.
Some have objected to the fact that the book seems to paint esther and mordecai in a positive light despite her questionable actions such as her marriage to a pagan, participation in pagan banquets, and vengeful retribution. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. But while the characters might resemble a fairy tale, the book of esther depicts actual events that shaped jewish history and instituted the festival of purim. The main people in the book also are symbols for god, gods messiah, israel and the adversary, aka hasatan. In the jewish bible, esther follows ecclesiastes and lamentations and is read on the festival of purim, which commemorates the rescue of the jews from hamans plottings. The book of esther tells the story of the church of god, christ, god almighty and the millennial reign of the kingdom of god. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is named esther that is, venus, the morning star, which sheds its light after all the other stars have ceased to shine, and while the sun still delays rising. Kingdom principles from the book of esther esther s hebrew name was hadassah, meaning myrtle. Esther serves as the title without variation through the ages.
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