In the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. On the mystical level king achashverosh alludes to gd, the king of the world. The book of esther, like much of the bible, tells the story of gods involvement with. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. 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. Have you ever wondered if god is really involved in the circumstances of your life.
As scripture reveals, esther is a jewish woman living in persia and reared by her cousin mordecai. Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the kings command and his decree to be executed. Jon levenson capably guides readers through both versions, demonstrating their coherence and their differences. Classical sources such as josephus, the jewish commentary esther rabbah and the christian theologian barhebraeus, as well as the greek. David guzik commentary on esther 2 describes how esther is chosen as the new queen to king ahasuerus, and mordecai saves the kings life.
Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. Af, which most scholars regard as later additions to the book. Fulfilling lifes mission introduction why read this book. Esther was a jewish woman who was selected by the persian king ahasuerus to be his wife. Summary of the book of esther genuine leather bible. Levensons book consists of two parts an introductory essay of 35 pages, followed by a linebyline commentary on the text of esther. She was taken to the king of the persian empire to become a part of his harembut because there was something special about esther, he made her queen. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch.
Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. Weibe suggests that this translation fits the context of the book of esther much better than the traditional rendering. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. This chapter presents an exegetical analysis of the book of esther, focusing on the characteristics and actions of esther and mordecai as they related to navigating the crisis of possible jewish. Over 100 years earlier, nebuchadnezzar the king of babylon had attacked jerusalem. This book is also the reason why the jewish people created the jewish festivity of purim, which is celebrated annually amongst all jewish people in. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. When he learns of the edict against the jews, he encourages esther to confront the king. During world war ii she spent 21 months in a japanese concentration camp as a prisoner. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. The book ends with mordecai as the kings chief minister. He overcame the jews and he took many jews to babylon.
Esther was originally written in hebrew, which is represented by ch. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Esther the niv application commentary kindle edition by jobes, karen h download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. This informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. An exegetical and theological exposition of holy scripture the new american commentary by mervin breneman sep 30, 1993 4. Esther 10 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Christian women faith articles, encouragement, growth. Keith mathison agrees with the other experts when he says, karen jobes has written the most engaging, interesting, and helpful commentary on the book of esther presently available. Best esther commentaries updated for 2020 best bible.
His presence permeates much of the story, as though he were behind the scenes coordinating coincidences and circumstances to make his will happen. 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. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. 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. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. Esther then ask the jews to fast about this for three days and three nights esther 4.
Therefore, some scholars place the mountain near the oasis of kadeshbarnea. The whole history of this book in its connected order, with the occurrences in the persian empire at that time, will be found. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. The book of esther is renowned for its literary artistry, which functions as the principal vehicle for the book s. Without ever mentioning god directly, the hand of god is all over the story of esther, displaying the providence and faithfulness of god even in the face of eradication. Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. It is careful not to say that god commanded the observance of purim.
The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. Esther is a young and beautiful jewish girl, orphaned but cared for by her. Study esther 1 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading esther the niv application commentary. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six chapter seven s. 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. May 25, 2011 esther was a jewish woman who was selected by the persian king ahasuerus to be his wife. Its one of the most beautiful books in the bible and so full of great takeaways for the modern christian woman today. 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 book of esther has been preserved in ancient texts that diverge greatly from each other. And esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
Matthew henry commentary on esther 1 book of esther chapter 1. 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. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. The book of esther bible study christianity oasis ministry has provided you with this book of esther bible study on the book of esther bible study story. The events that the first chapter of the book of esther describes happened about 483 bc before christ.
He had banished his former wife and chose esther through a contest. 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. 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. 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. 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. Esther s uncle, mordecai, appears first as an adoptive father, whose solicitude for esther leads him to the kings gate, where he foils a plot to assassinate the king. The book of esther is a 20 movie starring jen lilley as queen esther and joel smallbone as king xerxes. On the second page you will see an outline of this commentary. But the megillahs mandate differs from the torahs in one crucial respect. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. 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. The unknown author of the book of esther was most likely a jew very familiar with the royal persian court.
The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. Waldman and appeared in volume one of the graphic canon, edited by russ kick and published by seven stories press. This the book of esther bible study on the book of esther bible study verses looks at the book of esther bible study quotes and asks what is the book of esther bible study summary, who does the book of esther bible study affect, why is the. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. The book of esther bible study the book of esther bible. Not only is it a great story with all the drama and. The bible study of esther is the third one ive read in mr. The book of esther serves as the authorizing document for purim, a holiday that is not mentioned in the torah. Esther the niv application commentary kindle edition by. In 1934 annie became a missionary in china with oms. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible.
Weibe argues that this phrase should be translated as a rhetorical question, suggesting that the implied answer is no. 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. The book of esther provides us with the greatest illustrations of the providence of god. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible.
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. I pray that god will give us open minds and hearts to look at this book in a different light, to understand it better, and to see its application to our own lives. Book of numbers overview insight for living ministries. The whole history of this book in its connected order, with the occurrences in the persian empire at that time, will be found in the introduction. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. The book of esther the book of esther describes the jewish heroine esther, who saved the jewish people in persia from annihilation during the reign of king xerxes i.
We might even think that he does not care about us. A 10day bible study on the book of esther by ibelieve contributors. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and continue reading summary of the book of esther. Number 1 rated commentary esther an introduction and commentary tyndale old testament commentaries joyce g. After these things, when the wrath of king ahasuerus subsided, he remembered vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. You will also find options for commentaries on esther that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. 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. Overview of the book of esther third millennium ministries. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so. Key customs from each book, genesisesther purchase. The book is set during the period after the babylonian exile in which the nation of persia present day iran ruled judah. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth.
I really like the life applications he has in his books. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. I always appreciate it when there is clear consensus on the best commentary on any given book of the bible. The pulpit commentary introduces the book of esther with the following. The lesson here is that gods timing is always immaculate and the book of esther reminds the reader of this and esther s place on the throne at this exact time would save the jews from extermination. Examples of ancient hebrew found outside the bible are. Please identify the section you wish to read, and then use your readers searchfind feature to navigate to it. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. The detailed descriptions of court life and traditions, as well as the events that occurred in the book, point to an eyewitness author. Mordecai this is not esthers relative during xerxes is reign. 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. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Book of esther, in the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press.
The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. Although his name is never mentioned, we see his providence in each page of this wonderful little book. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. The deliverance of the jews in the book of esther is not due to mans piety, but solely to gods grace, in spite of israels sins. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of. This the book of esther bible study on the book of esther bible study verses looks at the book of esther bible study quotes and asks what is the book of esther bible study summary, who does the book of esther bible study affect, why is the book of esther bible study important, what is the book of esther bible study message and how does the book. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. The book of esther describes the jewish heroine esther and is the source of the festival purim. Christianity oasis ministry has provided you with this esther becomes queen study on esther becomes queen story. Judaism is the essence of esther and she has no desire to live under further duress by having to maintain her jewish observance in secret, as wife of achashverosh. The gathering together of a harem for king ahasuerus. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. Megillah with indepth commentaryside by side version. Baldwin rosscup is a bit less enamored with karen jobes commentary writing jobes will not be clear to some in her view that a biblical book can have legitimate errors in historical matters for the sake of poetic license, without.
Esther summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of esther for bible study or sunday school lessons. Ive always enjoyed reading the book of esther, god used a woman in captivity to help save her nation. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. Study the bible online using commentary on esther 10 and more. In 2012, a graphic adaptation of the book of esther was illustrated by j. Moses is the central figure within the book, and in at least two instances. Thus esther was the only hope for their deliverance. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of esther. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Megillat esther, the book of esther in the form that we have it in the hebrew.
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