A survey of the content of the book of esther theme. And king ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. 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. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. 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. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. If you are looking for a textual commentary on the original languages, this is not the best option available.
Esther is a nineweek study with an optional purim celebration at the end. The book of esther shows how the hand of god can move in a supernaturallynatural way. Fulfilling lifes mission we flounder without a mission leaders guide we flounder without a mission scripture. A queen under control when esthers words were reported to mordecai, he sent back this answer. See more ideas about book of esther, starting a bible study and bible. For thomas mcrie esthers success reads as an implicit manual on the im perial. Christian commentaries on the book began to emerge in the later medieval. 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.
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. Esther s repeated receiving of and desire for favor esther 2. 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. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old.
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. Esthers repeated receiving of and desire for favor esther 2. It 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. 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. Apr 09, 20 download this free ebook in pdf format, esther by john piper. Esther 2 chapter 1 several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use.
The introductory essay provides a good overview of the book of esther a summary of the plot, an analysis of the book s structure and themes, and a discussion of the historicity and origins of the various. Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of media and persia. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. True, when the church took over the bible of the jews as part of its canon, it did embrace the book of esther. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the book of esther and how it relates to. Study esther 6 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The book is set during the period after the babylonian exile in which the nation of persia present day iran ruled judah.
The bible study book of esther, by jenn peppers and tara miller, flow, llc. The introductory essay provides a good overview of the book of esther a summary of the plot, an analysis of the books structure and themes, and a discussion of the historicity and origins of the various. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. The canonicity of the book was questioned by some in ancient judaism and early christianity. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the.
Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Esther bible studybible softwarebible mappingancient near eastarchaeology. On the mystical level king achashverosh alludes to gd, the king of the world. Introduction to the book of esther during the seventy years the jews suffered their babylonian exile, god raised up several people to faithfully. Esther pleases the king, and is set above all the women. I think we are going to find that esther is a book rich in content for us about god and his plan. Do not think that because you are in the kings house you alone of all the jews will escape. Through the pages of the bible, god reveals himself to us. Waldman and appeared in volume one of the graphic canon, edited by russ kick and published by seven stories press.
A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by. 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. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. This informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. May 25, 2020 esthers mother, he explains, died in childbirth, and her father died only two years later. 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. Apocrypha esther greek of the king james bible 1611. There is an article to read in each study along with portions of the book of esther. Levensons book consists of two parts an introductory essay of 35 pages, followed by a linebyline commentary on the text of esther. Esther is a young and beautiful jewish girl, orphaned but cared for by her. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast of purim.
Addition a has mordecai inform the king directly, whereas in 2. The exiles from judah had spent nearly 70 years as captives of the babylonians. The counsellors advise that a selection of virgins should be made throughout the empire, out of whom the king should choose one to be queen in place of vashti, esther 2. 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. Paton, a critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther, p. Today we are beginning a new studya new expository sermon serieson the book of esther. Part two fastforwards to esther looking back and explaining how she became queen to her son, and what gods providential purposes were in saving the jews. Many instances of the grandeur of ahasuerus might have been given. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. Intertextual ripples of the book of esther vu research portal.
A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. 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 literary technique of foreshadowing is also employed in the book of esther. From desiring god, having proven himself as a poet, john piper has written another masterpiece, retelling the story of esther. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4. A story of the providence of god in a pagan land page 4 introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. It is excellent and free to download and also a commentary that is excellent too. Summary of the book of esther genuine leather bible. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people.
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 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Pdf this paper examines the book of esther, deriving important insights about a variety of. He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. This study guide on the book of esther was written by thomas klock of harvest christian fellowship in 2005. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ. Illuminations year one the book of esther family study guide illuminations year one the book of esther from the old testament family study guide by maggie hogan weeks 1 and 2 preparation and supplies you will need the following to get the most out of this family study guide. 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. As exiles, committed readers will receive hard or soft invitations to. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth. She laughed at fatigue just as she laughed at the soft. 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.
Violence and the survival of israel in the book of esther. Esther bible study chapter 5 she goes before the king. An interpretation of the dream that relates its features to the plot of the book is given in f. Most striking is the prediction by hamans wife that he would surely come to ruin because mordecai was a jew esther 6. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. If esther fails to act, and both she and mordecai perish, then her family will be wiped out. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israel. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. The book of esther is a 20 movie starring jen lilley as queen esther and joel smallbone as king xerxes. This moving story is complete with illustrations by artist glenn harrington, and will inspire faith in god through fictional poetry about the nonfictional.
Account of mordecai and his cousin esther, esther 2. Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of esther. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. The fate of gods chosen people is at the very center of the story, but god seems to remain in the shadows. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. Adele berlins commentary in the jps series is better suited for a critical look at the hebrew text.
Even though you may not see god in your daily circumstances, trust him and follow his plan. 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. Mordecai, sitting at the kings gate, discovers a conspiracy formed against the kings life by two of his chamberlains. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. We might even think that he does not care about us. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. Jobes volume is best for those seeking a biblicaltheological commentary on the book of esther. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. Hence it belongs to the bestknown ot books with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. She is chosen among the young women, and is placed under the care of hegai, the kings chamberlain, to go through a years purification, esther 2. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. The greek word for revelation comes from apokalupsis, meaning to disclose or. In 2012, a graphic adaptation of the book of esther was illustrated by j.
The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third section ketuvim, writings of the jewish tanakh the hebrew bible and in the christian old testament. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. 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. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. For example, when esther asks the jews to fast, we can assume this included prayer est.
890 828 1052 1175 1036 25 261 720 1425 943 94 1018 679 1497 129 1319 547 1336 67 768 624 30 1264 286 1458 936 1240 950 308 1464 1173 996