Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. In this commentary, day addresses both perennial and contemporary concerns pertinent to the book of esther. This is further indicated by the words of the prophet isaiah. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. Adele berlins commentary in the jps series is better suited for a critical look at the hebrew text. The king knew not whether mordecai was preferred or no till his servants informed him. Esther 8 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the.
Mourning of mordecai, and of the jews generally, on hearing of the decree esther 4. Her story, with its startling twists and turns, is exciting and fascinating. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Haman had no doubt kept his intentions secret until the kings consent to them was not only granted, but placed beyond his power to recall the jews first heard of the terrible blow impending over them by the publication of the edict. Day considers the book of esther with an eye to concerns of gender and ethnicity, as well as the theological concerns raised by divine absence in the.
A queen under control when esthers words were reported to mordecai, he sent back this answer. It is a short story similar to the book of ruth, starting in the palace of shushan susa, one out of the three capitals of the persian empire. 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 book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. Jan 01, 2001 this informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. The greek translation of the hebrew version of esther includes six extra. Jobes volume is best for those seeking a biblicaltheological commentary on the book of esther. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. Esther 6 commentary matthew henry commentary on the.
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 books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. 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. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ the book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in their synagogues to the present day. The apocryphal esther is available in english in catholic bibles and in translations such as the new revised standard version with apocrypha.
How the providence of god watched over the jews that had returned out of captivity to their own land, and what great and kind things were done for them, we. But now he was brought before the king, introduced, as we say, to kiss his hand. The lack of a religious perspective almost prevented the book from being included in the canonical books and is the reason, it is widely thought, why esther is the only book of the bible that was not. The feast was for all the important men who had authority in the kingdom. In 2012, a graphic adaptation of the book of esther was illustrated by j. David guzik commentary on esther 2 describes how esther is chosen as the. Esther 2 chapter 1 several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. The prayers of esther and mordecai are especially noteworthy.
Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing esther as comedy and as diaspora literature. Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. Book of esther simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 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. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls. It is common for great men to take little notice of their inferiors. She is chosen among the young women, and is placed under the care of hegai, the kings chamberlain, to go through a years purification, esther 2. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible.
The book of esther is about a jewish girl adopted by her uncle, mordecai, after her parents died. So the matter became known to mordecai, who told queen esther, and esther informed the king in mordecais name. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.
Mordecai, sitting at the kings gate, discovers a conspiracy formed against the kings life by two of his chamberlains. In the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea. Now it happened on the third day that esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the kings palace, across from the kings house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. Thus the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Hence it belongs to the bestknown ot books with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies.
The author probably lived in a persian city, because he knew persian customs well, and does not say anything. An explanatory commentary on esther 1888 college press. Esther commentary scroll down to page 273 for 3 page commentary on esther includes maps seems to be well done. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of ezra. The book of esther in hebrew is secular in nature, in that the name of god, the temple, and prayer are not mentioned. She sent clothes for mordecai to put on instead of the sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Esther commentary, sermon, illustration esther commentaries. All other books of the bible make it obvious who and what is influencing the actions of the characters, namely. What spiritual lessons can we learn from this book. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so. 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. Lectures, expository and practical on the book of esther 1859 j r dummelow, ed. Concerning ahasuerus in the throne, what a mighty prince he was v. 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.
He took esther as the new persian queen, not knowing she was an israelite. The story of esther reads like a movie plot, with a beautiful queen risking her life to prevent genocide. Neither jewish nor christian scholars have understood. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther.
Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. Look at the quiet faith expressed in the simple statement of where mordecai could be found. Books of esther applies formcritical tools to esther s septuagint and nonseptuagint lucianic greek texts. Waldman and appeared in volume one of the graphic canon, edited by russ kick and published by seven stories press. The author was a jew, because he where the jewish festival came from and from the jewish inside the story. Sadly, many who read and study esther including bible scholars who write commentaries on the book fill in the. The king dethrones queen vashti now it came to pass in the days of ahasuerus this was the ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twentyseven provinces, from india to ethiopia, in those days when king ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in shushan the citadel, that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israel.
Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. This commentary has been through advanced checking words in boxes are from the bible. On several counts, esther is the strangest book in the bible. Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. Esther bible study will give you a threepart look at the book of the bible that bears her name, and at its title character. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. Esther was a jewish slave living in persia, who, through a unusual series of circumstances, was selected to replace the persian queen. Differences in vocabulary, content, and style show that the greek books of esther are independent traditions stemming from, and aimed at, two distinct religious communities. The book of esther was likely written between 467 and 350 b. Do not think that because you are in the kings house you alone of all the jews will escape. Account of mordecai and his cousin esther, esther 2. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time.
The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4. 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. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish. Study guide for esther 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. Ahasuerus makes royal feasts for his nobles and people, esther 1. 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 others stars have ceased to shine, and while the sun still delays to rise. 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. Esther pleases the king, and is set above all the women. Mordecai, in concealing esther s nationality esther 2. But more importantly, the historical record teaches a number of key lessons relevant to our spiritual lives. Esther 2 new american bible revised edition nabre chapter 2.
Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. 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. It relates the story of a hebrew woman in persia, born as hadassah but known as esther, who becomes queen of persia and thwarts a genocide. Concerning mordecai his favourite, what a distinguished blessing he was to his people v. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god. Verses 14 here we have an account of the general sorrow that there was among the jews upon the publishing of hamans bloody edict against them. Esther, after a religious fast of three days, promises to do so, and we shall find that she sped well. Esther is written during the period of the captivity. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. The book of esther is counted as an historical book in our english bibles, but in the jewish scriptures it is among the writings.
Overview of the book of esther third millennium ministries. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible. And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Esther 6 commentary old testament matthew henry st. The counsellors advise that a selection of virgins should be made throughout the empire, out of whom the king should choose one to be queen in place of vashti, esther 2. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Many commentaries note that esther is the only biblical book not found in the. 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 book of esther does not mention the name of god. Attention is given to literary, linguistic, and thematic features of the biblical text. Why is there no greek translation of the hebrew text.
Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Some have wondered if, in that atmosphere, it would be too easy to profane. In christian bibles the book of esther follows ezra and nehemiah because all three are. The book of esther is a 20 movie starring jen lilley as queen esther and joel smallbone as king xerxes. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. Xerxes, the persian king, rejected his wife queen vashti, and fell in love with esther at a beauty contest. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1. On the mystical level king achashverosh alludes to gd, the king of the world. This is my favorite commentary on any book of holy scripture. Study guide for esther 2 by david guzik blue letter bible. Esther 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the.
Although it is never said who wrote the book of esther, from inside evidence it is possible to make some guesses about the author and when it was written. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. The book of esther is renowned for its literary artistry, which functions as the principal vehicle for the book s. Yet, though this is true in one sense, there is more to it than that. We might even think that he does not care about us. Their names were carshena, shethar, admatha, tarshish, meres, marsena, and. God saves the jews esther the book of esther easyenglish bible god is in control esther a commentary by robert bryce short outline of esther.
Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. The book was originally written in hebrew, but the ancient greek translation known as the septuagint abbreviated lxx is also a very important witness to the text. Esther 10 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. The servants informed him that nothing had been done to mordecai for that eminent service. In these three verses we have only some short hints, i. So king xerxes spoke with the wise men who understood the laws. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.