If you are looking for a textual commentary on the original languages, this is not the best option available. Clark, 1908 186, was one of the first to regard vv. Esther a2 classic bible study guide 2 introduction the book of esther is a graphic narrative, which relates how gods people were preserved from ruin during the fifth century b. Or, still others believe that mentioning the gathering was simply a vehicle to. The canonicity of the book was questioned by some in ancient judaism and early christianity. Pdf new anatomy of the book of esther rick arons academia. 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. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. This paper examines the book of esther, deriving important insights about a variety of approaches to leadership that can be applied to todays crisis in leadership.
Even though you may not see god in your daily circumstances, trust him and follow his plan. We hope that you find the complete content of the esther helpful to your bible studies and for references which allow you to read the books and individual verses of the book of esther. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. It has been well said that the book of esther is a record of wonders without a miracle, and therefore, though equally revealing the glory of the lord, it sets it forth in another fashion from that which is displayed in the overthrow of pharaoh by. On the mystical level king achashverosh alludes to gd, the king of the world. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Opus non gratum in the christian canon, bulletin for biblical research 8 1998. He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. Interest in the book of esther has been both negative and positive. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ the book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in their synagogues to the present day.
The writer of esther clearly intended the book to explain the origin of the celebration of purim, to institutionalize it as a commemoration of the great deliverance of the jews during the persian period see note on esther 9. Esther is ishtar, the femme fatale of mesopotamian goddesses, and marduk mordecai is the creator of the world and king of the gods according to babylonian myth. The book of esther shows how the hand of god can move in a supernaturallynatural way. It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast of purim. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Do not think that because you are in the kings house you alone of all the jews will escape. 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. Summary doctoral dissertation theological themes in the. Esther, jewish diaspora, mordecai, haman, purim it is an unfortunate fact that in the christian world at large the book of esther has not found acceptance. Esther is the only book of the hebrew bible not represented among the dead sea scrolls. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish.
The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. The book is set during the period after the babylonian exile in which the nation of persia present day iran ruled judah. Violence and the survival of israel in the book of esther abstract the book of esther stands in a complex relationship to the christian tradition. Would highly recommend to anyone to ready, charles brought so many new aspects to the life of esther that i had never considered before, have been extremely encouraged by this book and taken many lessons on board that apply not just to the life and times of esther but to today also. Today we are beginning a new studya new expository sermon serieson the book of esther. The book was originally written in hebrew, but the ancient greek translation known as the septuagint abbreviated lxx is also a very important witness to the text. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a part of his harem. May 25, 2020 esthers mother, he explains, died in childbirth, and her father died only two years later. True, when the church took over the bible of the jews as part of its canon, it did embrace the book of esther. Esther 2 chapter 1 several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Sadly, many who read and study esther including bible scholars who write commentaries on the book fill in the blanks, rather than leaving them blank and learning from the silence of the author.
The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third. Many instances of the grandeur of ahasuerus might have been given. Pdf from a postcolonial perspective, the jews in the book of esther not only. The book of esther is counted as an historical book in our english bibles, but in the jewish scriptures it is among the writings. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. The book of esther page 2languages the literal, physical heart in literature is a reference to the thinking portion of a persons soul. The book of esther is renowned for its literary artistry, which functions as the principal vehicle for the books. We might even think that he does not care about us. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. Moore, the author of the anchor bible commentary on esther asserts that. As we walked to our car after the funeral, bill commented, it wasnt what the.
Authenticity skeptics have doubted the authenticity of the book of esther partly because of the unusually cruel decree suggested by haman and carried out by king ahasuerus esther 3. Introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4.
Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israel. For thomas mcrie esthers success reads as an implicit manual on the im perial. Esther and the politics of negotiation augsburg fortress. A survey of the content of the book of esther theme. Adele berlins commentary in the jps series is better suited for a critical look at the hebrew text. Were not commentary, but textual facts such as the number of times a letter occurs in a book, the middle word of a book, etc. Classical sources such as josephus, the jewish commentary esther rabbah and the christian theologian barhebraeus. Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old.
We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. 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. Accepted as canonical by ancient israel, judaism, and christianity, the book nonetheless is known in the church not for its powerful narrative of jewish deliverance, but rather for the ways in which. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. In other languages, the heart may be the emotional arena of the soul, and, in still others, heart may refer to the emotional part of the soul in reference to love. The dead sea scrolls contain fragments of each old testament book, with the exception of esther. Early jewish and christian traditions suggest that among the people named in the book, mordecai, esther s cousin and guardian, was in the best position to record the events. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. The book of esther offers free, online access to study passages, for biblical studies, contained in the words, text and verses of the roman catholic scripture of. The massorah contains a note calling attention to the acrostics of the names of god in esther, which are found four times in the book.
Apocrypha esther greek of the king james bible 1611. Megillat esther, the book of esther in the form that we have it in the hebrew bible, provides the story of the origin of purim, the blueprint for its celebration, and the authorization for its observance in perpetuity. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ the book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in. Esther starts by being an insignificant individual in the persian empire, but queen vashtis. Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. The book of esther is renowned for its literary artistry, which functions as the principal vehicle for the book s.
A catena of distinguished mishnaic teachers is then cited in the gemara who testify to the canonical character of esther in order to rebut samuels disturbing statement. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. Overview of the book of esther third millennium ministries. A queen under control when esthers words were reported to mordecai, he sent back this answer. Mordechai and haman who are referred to in the book of esther as. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings.
Fulfilling lifes mission we flounder without a mission leaders guide we flounder without a mission scripture. Mordecai, sitting at the kings gate, discovers a conspiracy formed against the kings life by two of his chamberlains. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. The book of esther is one of the most exciting books in all the old testament and is nearly unique in employing a woman as its leading character. In the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. Interestingly enough, in the new testament no allusions to esther exist gordis 361. Paton, critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther icc 22. Paton, a critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther, international critical. Opposition to the book of esther is not a modern phenomenon.
Furthermore, the book of esther is fond of reversals of fortune that strike parity between the jews and their neighbors or foes, and eventually reveal the jews appointed destiny. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. Clines observes,9 hermanns 1986 catalogue of antisemitic sentiments that have been voiced under the guise of interpretation of esther makes depressing reading indeed. Ladies bible study on esther introduction the book of esther is one of the most exciting books in all the old testament and is nearly unique in employing a woman as its leading character. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned elsewhere in scripture. Violence and the survival of israel in the book of esther. Esther pleases the king, and is set above all the women. Summary doctoral dissertation theological themes in the book of esther ganea vasile romulus introduction compared with the other canonical books of the old testament, the book of esther, in the hebrew version, has a peculiar theological profile, which involves the. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete.