Author #

• The author of the Book of Esther was probably a Jew who knew a lot about the Persian royal court.
• The detailed descriptions of court life and traditions, as well as the events in the book, suggest that the author was an eyewitness. Because the author had a pro-Jewish perspective, scholars think he was a Jew writing for the Jews who had returned to Judah under Zerubbabel.
• Some people think that Mordecai himself wrote the book, but the praise for him in the text suggests that someone else, possibly one of his younger contemporaries, was the author.
• The book is named after the main character, a young Jewish girl named Hadassah. She was taken from her guardian, Mordecai, and forced to compete for the king’s affection. This unlikely candidate for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of Persia and renamed Esther, meaning “star.”

Date #

• The events in the Book of Esther took place from 483 BC to 473 BC, during the first part of King Xerxes’ reign when he made Esther his queen.
• At this time, the first group of Jews who returned to Judah were trying to restart temple worship according to the Law of Moses.
• However, Esther and Mordecai, along with many other Jews, chose not to return to Judah and stayed in Susa, the capital of Persia, where the story takes place.
• The book was written no earlier than 470 BC and likely no later than 424 BC, during the reign of Xerxes’ son, Artaxerxes.

Title #

• The biblical book is simply called “Esther,” named after the main character, a Jewish queen in the Persian Empire and the central figure in the story.
• It is part of the third section of the Judaic canon, called the Ketuvim or “Writings.” In the Jewish Bible, Esther comes after Ecclesiastes and Lamentations and is read during the festival of Purim, which celebrates the rescue of the Jews from Haman’s plots.
• The Book of Esther is one of the Megillot, five scrolls read on specific Jewish religious holidays.
• In the Protestant Bible, Esther is found between Nehemiah and Job.
• In the Roman Catholic Bible, Esther is placed between Judith and Job and includes six chapters considered apocryphal by Jewish and Protestant traditions.

Theme #

• (Esther 4:14): The book shows that God works behind the scenes to protect His people and achieve His goals, even in tough situations.
• (Esther 4:16): Esther and Mordecai show bravery by standing up for their people and taking risks to fight evil, despite the personal dangers.
• (Esther 9:22): The Book of Esther highlights how God steps in to save His people from destruction.
• (Esther 2:10): The story emphasizes the importance of keeping one’s identity and faithfulness to God, even in a hostile environment.
• (Esther 7:10): The downfall of Haman and his followers shows divine justice, illustrating how God punishes the wicked and supports the righteous.
• The purpose of the Book of Esther is to show God’s providence, especially towards His chosen people, Israel.
• The Book of Esther records the creation of the Feast of Purim and the obligation to observe it forever.
• The Book of Esther was read during the Feast of Purim to remember the great deliverance of the Jewish people by God through Esther.
• Jews today still read Esther during Purim.

Statistics and Figures #

• Total Chapters: 10
• Total Verses: 167
• Key Words: Purim, Decree, Fast, Palace, Crown, Jews, Feast, Scepter, Prayer, Salvation/Deliverance.
• Key Verses: Esther 4:14 (This verse captures the essence of the book, highlighting Esther’s pivotal role in the salvation of the Jewish people and emphasizing the themes of providence, courage, and divine purpose.)
• Key Chapters: Chapter 4 – Mordecai’s Mourning, Esther’s Decision, Mordecai’s Challenge, Esther’s Resolve.
• Key People: Esther, Mordecai, Haman, King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), Hegai, Memucan, Bigthan and Teresh, Zeresh, Vashti, Harbona, Shaashgaz, eunuchs, officials, and servants in the king’s palace.

Special Features #

• Divine Providence: Although God’s name isn’t mentioned directly, the story of Esther shows His care for His people by arranging events for their deliverance and protection (Esther 4:14).
• Courage and Bravery: Esther and Mordecai show great courage by standing up against Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews, risking their own lives for their people (Esther 4:16).
• Deliverance through Unlikely Circumstances: The book highlights how rescue can come in unexpected ways, like Esther becoming queen and intervening for the Jewish people (Esther 4:14-16; 7:3-6).
• Celebration of Purim: The feast of Purim commemorates the Jews’ deliverance from destruction, underscoring the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and celebrating His victories (Esther 9:20-22).
• Divine Justice: The downfall of Haman and the punishment of those who want to harm the Jews show divine justice, illustrating how God supports His people and judges their enemies (Esther 7:10).
• Preservation of Jewish Identity: The book explores the tension between blending into Persian culture and keeping Jewish identity, stressing the importance of staying true to one’s heritage and faith (Esther 2:10).

Christ in the Book #

• Redemption and Salvation: Esther’s willingness to risk her life to save her people can be seen as a preview of Christ’s sacrificial death for the salvation of humanity (Esther 4:16).
• Divine Providence: Even though God’s name isn’t mentioned in Esther, His care for His people is clear throughout the story, similar to New Testament teachings about God’s sovereignty and care for His children (Esther 4:14).
• Courage and Sacrifice: Esther’s bravery in approaching the king despite the risks reflects Christ’s courage and self-sacrifice for humanity’s salvation (Esther 5:1-3).
• Deliverance: The rescue of the Jewish people from destruction can be seen as a preview of Christ’s deliverance of believers from sin and death through His death and resurrection (Esther 9:22).
• Victory over Enemies: The defeat of Haman, who wanted to destroy the Jewish people, can be seen as a victory over evil, foreshadowing Christ’s triumph over Satan and the forces of darkness (Esther 7:10).

Blessings,

Shaliach.