He overcame the jews and he took many jews to babylon. Megilat ester the book of esther the british library. Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. All other books of the bible make it obvious who and what is influencing the actions of the characters, namely. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. If the king does this, that persons life will be saved.
Place of esther in the old testament a critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther canonicity canonical status word biblical commentary, volume 9. 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. Mordecai, who was finally exalted as ruler in persia, is at least a faint type of christ when eventually exalted among the nations. In esther nivac, karen jobes is our guide for an insightful and unexpected look at the book of esthera book brimming with practical lessons, but seemingly without a theology. The book of esther in hebrew is secular in nature, in that the name of god, the temple, and prayer are not mentioned. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by paton, lewis bayles, 18641932. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Queen esther continued to be obedient to her uncle mordecai causing her to conceal her race, the kings life to be rescued from an assassination plot, and mordecais good deed to be recorded in the history book 2.
Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. We might even think that he does not care about us. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. The commentary is accessible to laymen, but should be. The book of esther is a hodgepodge of different genres. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Esther is described in the book of esther as a jewish queen of the persian king ahasuerus. Over 100 years earlier, nebuchadnezzar the king of babylon had attacked jerusalem. In the book of esther this information is casually presented as unimportant, but comes up later in the story.
In the book of esther, it is evident that the author wanted to highlight how divine intervention of god works specifically as it applies to the israelites. The original text of the megillah book of esther with a running commentary culled from the talmud and midrash, the great torah commentators and the chassidic masters. Jon levenson capably guides readers through both versions, demonstrating their coherence and their differences. The king has one law for any man or woman who goes to the king without being called. Though absent by name from the pages of this particular book of jewish history, god is present in every scene and in the movement of every event, until he ultimately and finally brings everything to a marvelous climax as he proves himself lord of his people, the jews. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for. Synopsis the international standard bible encyclopedia, revised. Book of esther, in the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. The book of esther records the institution of the feast of purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. Karen jobes has written the most engaging, interesting, and helpful commentary on the book of esther presently available.
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 lectionary portion tells us only that jews are to celebrate the days on. 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. The book of esther was likely written between 460 and 350 b. The commentary is accessible to laymen, but should be useful to pastors and scholars as well. In esther nivac, karen jobes is our guide for an insightful and unexpected look at the book of esther a book brimming with practical lessons, but seemingly without a theology. Read correctly, the lead character of the book of esther is not even esther. A short book consisting of 10 chapters and 167 verses, it is one of only two biblical books in which god does not get a mention.
By dr peter pett queen vashti offends king ahasuerus xerxes esther, the ward of mordecai, chosen as queen haman purposes to destroy the jews and casts pur haman impaled and replaced by mordecai the jew the establishment of purim. The book of esther forms part of ketuvim writings which is the third section of the tanakh, or hebrew bible. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls. The events that the first chapter of the book of esther describes happened about 483 bc before christ. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. The book of esther has been preserved in ancient texts that diverge greatly from each other.
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. And king ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. Esthers name means i will be hidden, just as her identity was obscure even after becoming the wife of ahasuerus. Esthers story is without doubt both an inspiration and one of the great teaching resources of the church.
The events in the book of esther occurred from 483. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and made it known to esther who passed the news to the king. Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. Esther 110 nkjv the king dethrones queen vashti now. The author of esther patterned much of his material on the events of the joseph story see notes on 2. 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. In the book of esther this information is casually presented as. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Frederic bush ruthesther word biblical commentary, 1996. The book of esther is renowned for its literary artistry, which functions as the principal vehicle for the books.
Esther 110 new king james version nkjv the king dethrones queen vashti. Publication date 1908 topics bible publisher new york. Tracing the history of the book of esther and jewish festival purim. 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. In the narrative, ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, vashti. Although a bit too technical for most readers, it will be of benefit to seminary students and others doing indepth study of the text. Intro to esther biblica the international bible society. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. 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. The events of the book of esther occurred during the reign of king ahasuerus, xerxes i. Yet, the books theological message is powerful and shines through the daily faithfulness of esther as she faithfully obeys the god of israel and saves her people.
The advancement of esther to be queen instead of vashti. This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of persia and renamed esther, meaning star. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage, divine. But what is the key to unlocking the great lessons of esther. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. Fiction books about and centered around queen esther and her story. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. For those seeking a more extensive commentary on the book of esther, frederic bushs work in the wbc series is a good place to start. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. Two things are recorded in this chapter, which were working towards the deliverance of the jews from hamans conspiracy. The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. Seeking ancient wisdom, i opened a biblical book in which women were also treated as objects.
Purim remembers and celebrates the deliverance of the jews by queen esther. That person must be put to death unless the king holds out his gold scepter to them. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. 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. 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. The lesson here is that gods timing is always immaculate and the book of esther reminds the reader of this and esthers place on the throne at this exact time would save the jews from extermination. The purpose of the book of esther is to display the providence of god, especially in regard to his chosen people, israel. Overview of the book of esther third millennium ministries.
Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness, than this banquet of wine, with all the noise and tumult that must have attended it. This book has a record of the feast of purim and commemorates what the jews indicate is the deliverance of the jewish nation by god using esther. Add to that a flavor of steampunk youve likely never tried before, blend it all up but keep it kosher. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. Esther overview spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. His predecessor was king darius 522485 bc who is mentioned in ezra 4.
The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so. Summary of the book of esther genuine leather bible. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Though absent by name from the pages of this particular book of jewish history, god is present in every scene and in the movement of every event, until he ultimately and finally brings everything to a marvelous climax as he proves himself lord of. Opinion queen esther, a hero for our time the new york times. The book of esther shows how the hand of god can move in a supernaturallynatural way. The following are five of the most helpful commentaries on. Feasting is another prominent theme in esther, as shown in the outline below. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. The book of esther is a very realistic commentary on life, and it is possible that its author wanted to make his readers ponder carefully gods involvement in it. 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 affection of the king.
Esther then ask the jews to fast about this for three days and three nights esther 4. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. In this way, the book of esther serves to explain and authorize the festival of purim, and also authorizes the use of violence, though regulated, by the hebrew people against their enemies. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israel. Her knowledge of the text is extensive, and her insights into current application are valuable. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible.
The old testament library provides fresh and authoritative treatments. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. It belongs to the third section of the judaic canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings, and. According to recent research the book of esther was written in the middle of the 4th century bce during the reign of artaxerxes iii. He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast of purim.
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