Ill give this message the title gods providential poetic justice. Book of esther, book of the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. Poetic justice happens in literature when good wins andor evil is punished. As queen, esther hides her religious identity and maintains her jewish practices keeping kosher and observing the laws of shabbat and family purity in secret. It belongs to the third section of the judaic canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. Esther chapter 5 verse by verse bible commentary matthew. It also opened the way for the establishment of later holidays that, like purim, could be instituted without divine command if they commemorated an important event or served an important function in the life of the jewish people. The hero of the book of daniel in the ketuvim section of the bible is one of the jews exiled in babylonia, a soothsayer at the babylonian court under nebuchadnezzar who died in 562 b. The decree of xerxes 10 mordecai wrote in the name of king xerxes and sealed it with the royal signet ring. Explanatory notes and critical chapters upon the poem and its source. Because she would force jewish girls to undress, and work on the sabbath, it was decreed that she should be stripped naked on the sabbath. He overcame the jews and he took many jews to babylon. Though the name of god is not mentioned, the hand of god, ruling and overruling the events for the preservation of his people, can be seen throughout.
Esther 2 commentary john gills exposition on the whole. In their commentary on the book of esther, the rabbis expand upon and add. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esther a comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a part of his harem. Yet the issue of hamans law to annihilate the jews still remained. Other sources ascribe the book of esther to ezra or nehemiah. Esther, purim and why it all still matters jews for jesus. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. It is often noted that the author does not refer to god or to any jewish religious practices. Shushan, a legendary account of how the familys ancestor mordechai gained power in court, and of the source of the familys wealth and authority. As with most of the ot writings the author of the book of esther esther meaning star is not mentioned. The book of esther reflects this idea, by referring to vashti as queen vashti 1. Esther 8 is the eighth chapter of the book of esther in the hebrew bible or the old testament of the christian bible, the author of the book is unknown and modern scholars have established that the final stage of the hebrew text would have been formed by the second century bce. Haman early in the morning, because his malice would not suffer him to sleep. Susa is all the way at the bottom right of the map.
Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. Additions to esther chapter 11 kjv king james version 1 in the fourth year of the reign of ptolemeus and cleopatra, dositheus, who said he was a priest and levite, and ptolemeus his son, brought this epistle of phurim, which they said was the same, and that lysimachus the son of ptolemeus, that was in jerusalem, had interpreted it. After these things, when the wrath of king ahasuerus was appeasedon recovering from the violent excitement of his revelry and rage, the king was pierced with poignant regret for the unmerited treatment he had given to his beautiful and dignified queen. In jewish tradition, the book of esther, megillat ester, the scroll of. The commentary approaches the book of esther from a fresh literary pointofview. The book of esther is designed to show gods providential care of his people. The events that the first chapter of the book of esther describes happened about 483 bc before christ.
In fact, the book of esther, more than anything else, is responsible for the continued celebration of purim. Esther in her joys, smiled upon by the king and honoured with his company at her banquet of wine, esther 5. With these additions, the book of esther becomes a religious tale whose characters adhere to jewish traditions, such as praying to god, following the. But, according to the law, which made the word of a persian. Sep 30, 2018 it is both puzzling and unfortunate that the lectionary leaves out verses 78, because in these verses the extent of the kings incompetence comes to light. The jewish study bible esther introduction oxford biblical. Bullinger points out that some hebrew scholars have found. The jewish community, and its areas of residence, outside ere z israel.
He did not always interpret scripture l iterally and so was amillennial he interpreted revelation as a historicist which led. Set in the ancient persian empire, it tells the story of esther, a jewish girl who. Esther had not revealed her people or family, for mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. The events that the first chapter of the book of esther describes happened about. Esther 2 is the second chapter of the book of esther in the hebrew bible or the old testament of the christian bible. The book of esther is a wellwritten, cleverly constructed piece of literature. Despite such questions the book of esther sits comfortably in the hebrew. In this 3part series, i provide commentary on the book of esther.
Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Deinon related that artaxerxes ii was also called oarses which is also. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. Clark, 1908 186, was one of the first to regard vv. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six chapter seven s. The romans had no such law though, and may or may not have exceeded this limit. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible.
Esther 2 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage. Why is this feast never mentioned in the new testament. Bible study commentary in the book of esther esther chapter 4. Now if you start thinking that you dont really care too much for this man, it is also worth remembering that he is a type of the flesh that sinful nature that lurks within you and sometimes.
The book of esther is best described as historical fiction. And of that which they had seen the first letter to which this second refers, must be that sent by mordecai himself. This map is taken, with some small modifications, from page 7 of martin gilberts jewish history atlas, published in london in 1969 by weidenfeld and nicholson. Well be studying the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters today. And every day mordecai paced in front of the court of the womens quarters, to learn of esthers welfare and what was happening to her.
The jewish historian josephus names mordecai as author of the book. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of read more the book of esther bible study. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Esther a story of bravery, palace intrigue, and, of course, the origins of purim has always held a special place in the hearts of the jewish people.
Esther s story is retold by josephus in book 11, chapter 6 of the jewish antiquities. In prophetic symbolism the myrtle would replace the briars and thorns of the desert, so depicting the lords forgiveness and acceptance of his people. The book of esther is a story, and these brief passages from chapters 7 and 9 deal only with the climax and the ending. Feb 25, 2020 plus, ill refer to josephuss account of esthers story which is recorded in book 11, chapter 6 in his antiquities of the jews. We will celebrate the feast of purim on march 14, 2006. Esther 6 bible commentary wesleys explanatory notes. The author of the book is unknown and modern scholars have established that the final stage of the hebrew text would have been formed by the second century bce. Commentary on the book of esther matthew henrys bible commentary. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third. The jewish community, and its areas of residence, outside erez israel. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai.
It is possible that esther was hadassahs throne name, but this is. Haman upon the fret, because he had not mordecais cap and knee, and with great indignation setting up a gallows for him, esther 5. Perhaps inevitably the final chapter notes that the king imposes a new tax. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Perhaps the most radical recent jewish commentary on the book comes from the. In the jewish bible, esther follows ecclesiastes and lamentations and is read on the festival of purim, which commemorates the rescue of the jews from hamans plottings. 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. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. 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.
On both days of the feast, the modern jews read over the megillah or book of esther in their synagogues. And every day mordecai paced in front of the court of the womens quarters, to learn of esther s welfare and what was happening to her. He saved us through christ, and we may inherit eternal life. Esther wrote with all authority esther and mordecai had the kings license so to do. Megillah with indepth commentaryside by side version. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. 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. Since purim is not a holiday ordained by moses in the first five books of the bible, scholars have wondered if jews of ancient time indeed observed it annually. Our last news of queen esther left her in tears, fasting and praying. Adam clarke commentary on esther 17601832 clarke was methodist, wesleyan, arminian, e.
This verse refers to the third month of the jewish calendar, called sivan. Chapters 3 to 8 contain the nine scenes that form the complication in the book. Mar 28, 2006 shalom mishpochah family, esther, the hidden one. The best explanation for their absence, especially the absence of gods name. Classical sources such as josephus, the jewish commentary esther rabbah and. Thus it is that providence sometimes frowns on the cause of his church and people, by not only exposing them to imminent danger, but by shutting up all the ordinary avenues of escape, so that there appears no evasion for them. All of these old testiment jewish practices used to appeal to the god of israel for help. If esther fails to act, and both she and mordecai perish, then her family will be wiped out. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. 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. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. The book of esther consists of an introduction or exposition in chapters 1. He sent the documents by mounted couriers riding on swift horses bred from the royal mares.
The heroine of the book named for her, esther is a young jewish woman living in exile in the persian lit. According to schellekens interpretation, the book of esther is a fanciful family history of a rich and powerful jewish family in 4th century b. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 8. Bible study from the book of esther looking at the two eternal laws through the type in esther chapter 8. This holiday, based on the biblical book of esther, is an appointed time to remember the victory of the jewish people in persia over the wicked haman during the babylonian captivity. Ii addition b hamans edict, written in the kings name. Esthers story is retold by josephus in book 11, chapter 6 of the jewish antiquities. It is often pointed out the book of esther never mentions god or prayer insinuating that the jews were not close to god.
The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. The last news we had of haman left him in his cups, esther 3. Throughout megillat esther, the hebrew months are referred to by both number and name. She cried and pleaded with him to overturn the evil of haman the agagite and his plan against the jews. 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. By the advice of the ministers of king ahasuerus, fair virgins were sought for throughout his dominions, and brought to his chamberlain, the keeper of the women, among whom was esther, a jewish virgin, esther 2. Esther 9 commentary commentary critical and explanatory.
It includes essays entitled when and where was the book of esther written. Esther 9 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. Additions to esther chapter 11 kjv king james version 1 in the fourth year of the reign of ptolemeus and cleopatra, dositheus, who said he was a priest and levite, and ptolemeus his son, brought this epistle of phurim, which they said was the same, and that lysimachus the son of ptolemeus, that was in jerusalem, had interpreted it 2 in the second year of the reign of. Verses 14 so the king and haman came to banquet with esther the queen. Esther this is a hebrew name from the term myrtle bdb 2, from the targums, cf. They seemed to believe that god would protect his jewish people esther. The copy read must not be printed, but written on vellum in the form of a roll. While it is always important to understand the context of a particular scripture text, it is especially critical with this one. But i have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. According to jewish law, this beating had to be stopped after 40 lashes deut 25. 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. Just as he saved esther and the jewish people, gave them an inheritance of hamans estate, and gave them authority over their enemies, god does the same for us.
Over 100 years earlier, nebuchadnezzar the king of babylon had attacked jerusalem. And the king said again unto esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, what is thy petition, queen esther. Lets open our bibles to the 5th chapter in the book of esther for this esther 5 sermon. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned.
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