Nncommentary on the book of 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. 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. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for. In the narrative, ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, vashti. The book of esther has been preserved in ancient texts that diverge greatly from each other. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and made it known to esther who passed the news to the king. The book of esther shows how the hand of god can move in a supernaturallynatural way. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. The prayers of esther and mordecai are especially noteworthy. 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. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. The views of modern scholars are significant in so far as the views of modern scholars are significant in any topic an encyclopedia should endeavour to. The traditional view of the book of esther is significant to mention, because it is the traditional view held by millions of believers over several millennia as to the nature of the book. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israel.

Synopsis the international standard bible encyclopedia, revised. 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. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. Esther is described in the book of esther as a jewish queen of the persian king ahasuerus. 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. 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. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. Megillah with indepth commentaryside by side version. 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 110 new king james version nkjv the king dethrones queen vashti.

Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. All other books of the bible make it obvious who and what is influencing the actions of the characters, namely. Read correctly, the lead character of the book of esther is not even esther. 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 author of esther patterned much of his material on the events of the joseph story see notes on 2. 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. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible. 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. 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 has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. In the book of esther this information is casually presented as. Esther then ask the jews to fast about this for three days and three nights esther 4.

Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. The book of esther forms part of ketuvim writings which is the third section of the tanakh, or hebrew bible. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by paton, lewis bayles, 18641932. 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.

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. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. Over 100 years earlier, nebuchadnezzar the king of babylon had attacked jerusalem. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. Intro to esther biblica the international bible society. He overcame the jews and he took many jews to babylon.

Esther overview spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. The lectionary portion tells us only that jews are to celebrate the days on. The book of esther records the institution of the feast of purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. Seeking ancient wisdom, i opened a biblical book in which women were also treated as objects. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4. Esthers story is without doubt both an inspiration and one of the great teaching resources of the church. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. The events in the book of esther occurred from 483. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. Book of esther, in the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. The old testament library provides fresh and authoritative treatments.

According to recent research the book of esther was written in the middle of the 4th century bce during the reign of artaxerxes iii. We might even think that he does not care about us. 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. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. 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. 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. In the book of esther this information is casually presented as unimportant, but comes up later in the story. Two things are recorded in this chapter, which were working towards the deliverance of the jews from hamans conspiracy.

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. Megilat ester the book of esther the british library. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. 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. 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. The events that the first chapter of the book of esther describes happened about 483 bc before christ. Jon levenson capably guides readers through both versions, demonstrating their coherence and their differences. 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 book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people.

Tracing the history of the book of esther and jewish festival purim. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. The book of esther is renowned for its literary artistry, which functions as the principal vehicle for the books. Frederic bush ruthesther word biblical commentary, 1996. Summary of the book of esther genuine leather bible. The commentary is accessible to laymen, but should be. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. 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. Add to that a flavor of steampunk youve likely never tried before, blend it all up but keep it kosher. Her knowledge of the text is extensive, and her insights into current application are valuable. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Esther s story is without doubt both an inspiration and one of the great teaching resources of the church. The book of esther was likely written between 460 and 350 b.

Esthers name means i will be hidden, just as her identity was obscure even after becoming the wife of ahasuerus. 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. Esther 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Fiction books about and centered around queen esther and her story. Karen jobes has written the most engaging, interesting, and helpful commentary on the book of esther presently available. The commentary is accessible to laymen, but should be useful to pastors and scholars as well. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. The events of the book of esther occurred during the reign of king ahasuerus, xerxes i. 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. Opinion queen esther, a hero for our time the new york times.

He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. 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. It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast of purim. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. 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 king has one law for any man or woman who goes to the king without being called. 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. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage, divine. 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. But what is the key to unlocking the great lessons of esther.

Although a bit too technical for most readers, it will be of benefit to seminary students and others doing indepth study of the text. The advancement of esther to be queen instead of vashti. Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness, than this banquet of wine, with all the noise and tumult that must have attended it. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. The book of esther in hebrew is secular in nature, in that the name of god, the temple, and prayer are not mentioned. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. The purpose of the book of esther is to display the providence of god, especially in regard to his chosen people, israel. The following are five of the most helpful commentaries on. Mordecai, who was finally exalted as ruler in persia, is at least a faint type of christ when eventually exalted among the nations.

Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. This book has a record of the feast of purim and commemorates what the jews indicate is the. Esther 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. 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. And king ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. If the king does this, that persons life will be saved. Publication date 1908 topics bible publisher new york. It belongs to the third section of the judaic canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings, and. The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. The book of esther is a hodgepodge of different genres.

Overview of the book of esther third millennium ministries. Esther 110 nkjv the king dethrones queen vashti now. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. 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. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god. Purim remembers and celebrates the deliverance of the jews by queen esther.

This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of persia and renamed esther, meaning star. Study guide on the book of esther, on line bible commentary for book of esther, niv commentary esther, free esther commentary, best commentaries on esther. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. That person must be put to death unless the king holds out his gold scepter to them. 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. Feasting is another prominent theme in esther, as shown in the outline below.