Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her beauty at king ahasuerus feast, and is therefore banished. Esther a2 classic bible study guide 2 introduction the book of esther is a graphic narrative, which relates how gods people were preserved from ruin during the fifth century b. Esther the niv application commentary kindle edition by jobes, karen h download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. 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. Well see the opulence and luxury of the ancient persian empire along with its hidden weaknesses. You can read more indepth bible verses from the scripture below and use the. In the book of esther this information is casually presented as unimportant, but comes up later in the story. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. Read the verses of esther as an online bible study course resource. Book of esther, book of the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. Although there are unfortunately those today who suggest that some of the stories in the old testament are legends, there is substantial evidence that the events of esther actually occurred. Summary of the book of esther genuine leather bible.
In the present translation, the greek additions are indicated by the. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ. Interest in the book of esther has been both negative and positive. Working within a fallen system esther bible commentary. She sent clothes for mordecai to put on instead of the sackcloth, but he would not accept them.
Frederic bush, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 1996, 528 pp. Esther 2 one of the princes in the kingdom was haman. This little gem, tucked away in an obscure corner of the old testament, is a very rich book, and it is historical. Esther summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of esther for bible study or sunday school lessons. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. Ezra, nehemiah, esther understanding the bible commentary series. In the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. At the end of the book, he says that the official records included the story about esther.
Mordecai is said to be son of kish of the tribe of benjamin esther 2. 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 prayers of esther and mordecai are especially noteworthy. Esther is the only book of the hebrew bible not represented among the dead sea scrolls. Af, which most scholars regard as later additions to the book. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Et omnia quae libri hujus, qui vocatur esther, historia continentur. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Esther overview john calvins commentaries on the bible. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control.
The bible does not mention the book of esther anywhere else. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy. When mordechai informed esther of hamans plans and enjoined her to use her influence with the king to annul the decree, esther told him to gather all the jews who are in shushan, and fast for my sakedo not eat or drink for three days, night and day. Esther 810 the victory that comes from living for god faith. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. Ezra, nehemiah, esther understanding the bible commentary. Nothing more is known of her than is recorded in the book which jewish gratitude has made to bear her name. 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. Classical sources such as josephus, the jewish commentary esther rabbah. At the start of the book, he says when it happened.
These first 2 chapters serve as an introduction for the whole book. Online catholic bible click here for complete book of esther. An introduction to the book of esther an argument of the book of esther selected bibliography of the book of esther j. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. The book of esther in hebrew is secular in nature, in that the name of god, the temple, and prayer are not mentioned.
Working within a fallen system esther bible commentary produced by tow project the book of esther begins with king ahasuerus known to history outside the bible as xerxes throwing a lavish party to display his glory es. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. He was a jew residing in the city of susa, a prominent man who served at the. Engage the challenging books of ruth and esther utilizing the dynamic. Your credit card wont be charged until the trial period is over. Please check the reference to make sure it is correct. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in. And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to esther, what is your petition, queen esther. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and made it known to esther who passed the news to the king. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god.
Now esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in their synagogues to the present day. 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. The name of esther is forever bound up with the record of their deliverance. It took place in the days of israels captivity when. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The targum says, and by the word of esther all these things relative to purim were confirmed. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Jerome, the whole book, including the greek additions, was included in the canon of scripture by the council of trent.
A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. I want to embrace this book of the bible, i really do i used to think was illegitimate for reasons of not even mentioning god have realized that the sacred name may be in acrostic, whether in king james english or the hebrew manuscripts or both, i know not. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
Not only is it a great story with all the drama and. The book is set during the period after the babylonian exile in which the nation of persia present day iran ruled judah. The book of esther is one of the most exciting books in all the old testament and is nearly unique in employing a woman as its leading character. Although the book of esther was questioned by some early christians, even st. In 1934 annie became a missionary in china with oms. But the name of god is not found in the book of esther though the word god is not found in esther, it is everywhere inferred. So the king and haman went to dine with queen esther. Indeed, this despot had the capability of such cruel acts as mentioned in the book of esther.
The next step is to enter your payment information. This is a summary of the biblical account of queen esther. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary. Esther the niv application commentary kindle edition by. As a prize for winning the beauty contest, she becomes the queen to. Sadly, many who read and study esther including bible scholars who write commentaries on the book fill in the blanks, rather than leaving. The chapters and verses of esther from the douay rheims version of the online catholic bible.
It belongs to the third section of the judaic canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. Book of esther, in the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. Esther pleases the king, and is set above all the women. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. During world war ii she spent 21 months in a japanese concentration camp as a prisoner. Esther 1, new living translation nlt the bible app. The running theme of the books in scripture really is about. But the writer wants us to know that the story is true. On the mystical level king achashverosh alludes to gd, the king of the world.
Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. Opposition to the book of esther is not a modern phenomenon. Well be studying the first 2 chapters of the book of esther today. 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. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. David guzik commentary on esther 2 describes how esther is chosen as the new queen to king ahasuerus, and mordecai saves the kings life.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading esther the niv application commentary. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Ezra, nehemiah, esther understanding the bible commentary series allen, leslie c. Esther is a jewish woman with her uncle, mordecai, who is a very faithful jew. We might even think that he does not care about us. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. She was taken to the king of the persian empire to become a part of his harembut because there was something special about esther, he made her queen.
The book was written no earlier than 470 bc and probably no later than 424 bc, during the reign of xerxes son artaxerxes. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Esther was originally written in hebrew, which is represented by ch. Interestingly enough, in the new testament no allusions to esther exist gordis 361.
The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls. Tom constables expository notes on esther this is also available in the net. Sadly, many who read and study esther including bible scholars who write commentaries on the book fill in the blanks, rather than leaving them blank and learning from the silence of the author. By a course of action which gives her a distinguished place among the women of the bible, the great enemy of the jews was destroyed, and her people were delivered. Esther is a young and beautiful jewish girl, orphaned but cared for by her. And all things which are contained in the history of this book, which is called esther. Study esther 1 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. As scripture reveals, esther is a jewish woman living in persia and reared by her cousin mordecai. Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account. The manner in which these young women were introduced to the king, and how those were disposed of who were not called again to the kings bed, esther 2.
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