Intertextual ripples of the book of esther vu research portal. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of esther in hebrew is secular in nature, in that the name of god, the temple, and prayer are not mentioned. Something i hesitate to do in this current seasonread more. The unknown author of the book of esther was most likely a jew very familiar with the. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b.
Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. 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 tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. Perhaps also the book of esther does not contain the name of god because it was written under persian rule, and for distribution in the persian empire.
The events that the first chapter of the book of esther describes happened about 483 bc before christ. Esther and ruth reformed expository commentary, 2005. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth. Ahasuerus makes royal feasts for his nobles and people, esther 1.
Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The study extends for only three weeks, so there is no longterm commitment. Fulfilling lifes mission we flounder without a mission leaders guide we flounder without a mission scripture. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her beauty at king ahasuerus feast, and is therefore banished. The book of esther provides us with the greatest illustrations of the providence of god. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. 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. Joyce baldwin esther tyndale old testament commentaries, 1984. The bible book of esther with full chapters, footnotes and bible commentary to aid your bible search, reading, and study. 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.
Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. 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 hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. The fate of gods chosen people is at the very center of the story, but god seems to.
The book of esthera case study of ideological interpretation jstor. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. Esther bible study with free printable bible study guide. For example, when esther asks the jews to fast, we can assume this included prayer est. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of read more the book of esther bible study. Study esther using john gills exposition of the bible to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. David guzik commentary on esther 10, where mordecai gets promoted and the glory of the reign of king ahasuerus is recorded. Esther bible book with full chapters new international.
Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six chapter seven s. The events of the book of esther occurred during the reign of king ahasuerus, xerxes i. Publication date 1908 topics bible publisher new york. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. Its one of the most beautiful books in the bible and so full of great takeaways for the modern christian woman today. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by paton, lewis bayles, 18641932. Best esther commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. It includes essays entitled when and where was the book of esther written. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai.
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. 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. In esther s story, gods involvement is implicit rather than explicit. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls. 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 1, new living translation nlt the bible app. The commentary approaches the book of esther from a fresh literary pointofview. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. 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 distorting the truth 34. John calvin never preached from the book and did not write a commentary on the book.
He overcame the jews and he took many jews to babylon. Not one commentary was written on the book of esther in the first seven centuries of the church. Number 1 rated commentary esther an introduction and commentary tyndale old testament commentaries joyce g. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. I really like the life applications he has in his books. 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 with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
Although his name is never mentioned, we see his providence in each page of this wonderful little book. The bible study of esther is the third one ive read in mr. 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 summary of the book of esther will help with many different forms of bible study. The prayers of esther and mordecai are especially noteworthy. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side.
The book of esther is one of the latest of the canonical books of scripture, having been written late in the reign of xerxes, or early in that of his son artaxerxes longimanus b. On march 20th, the study begins and its absolutely free. We hope this page helps you find the best commentary on esther. Over 100 years earlier, nebuchadnezzar the king of babylon had attacked jerusalem. 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. Most likely, the book of esther doesnt have the name of god because it shows how god works behind the scenes. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esther a comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. His predecessor was king darius 522485 bc who is mentioned in ezra 4. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her.
The bible study book of esther, by jenn peppers and tara miller, flow, llc. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god. Karen jobes esther niv application commentary, 1999. Recipient of the prize of the minister of science, culture, and sport of the state of israel for classical literature for the year 5762 2001. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The book of esther is a story, and these brief passages from chapters. God is always active in esther, even though it is behind the scenes. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Martin luther renounced the book, along with other apocryphal books saying, i am so great an enemy to the second book of the maccabees, and to esther, that i. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. 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.
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