King ahasuerus threw a grand party but his wife, queen vashti, refused to attend. Gods choice of israel as his treasured possession guaranteed that hamans intent to exterminate the jewish people would fail deut. Then mordecai sat in the kings gate it was ordered by cyrus, as xenophon informs us. The bible says when the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice. Before the king this may refer either, 1st, to the writing of it, signifying that it was written in the kings presence by scribes, who were continually with the king, to record all remarkable things which happened in the court from time to time. And when we get to the book of esther, the same moralistic lens remains plastered to our faces and we therefore see in this persian queen an. It was in such a time as this that esther and mordecai lived. Study guide for esther 1 by david guzik blue letter bible.
As they are locating esther, explain that it is in the old testament and is one of the twelve books of history. In fact, gods name is not mentioned once, though his influence permeates the narrative. Although his name is never mentioned, we see his providence in each page of this wonderful little book. This is why many presume that the book was written in the second half of the fifth century bc. Would it not be more accurate to call this page the scroll of esther as the translation of megilah would imply. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. Scripture later when king xerxes fury had subsided,he remembered vashti and what she. The fact that esther does not mention god at all the only book of the bible where this is the case is one of the reasons it had a hard time making it into the canon. A few years ago, i made an effort to deepen my bible study. Book of esther a free daily devotional bible study. The book of esther in the bible worth beyond rubies.
So your question about whether or not it belongs there is an ancient one. Just when you think things are going smoothly and you are confident about tomorrow, life happens. The book of esther from the greek septuagint in the second year of the reign of ahasuerus the great, on the first day of the month of nisan, mordecai, the son of jair, the son of shimei, the son of kish, of the tribe of benjamin, had a dream. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned elsewhere in scripture. Esther chapter 3 explained discover books of the bible. A yearly celebration called purim was instituted because of esther that reminds us that nothing is impossible with god. Bible study teacher lydia brownback guides women chapter by chapter through multiple books of the bible, helping them come away with a deeper understanding of gods word, its context in redemptive history, and how it uniquely reveals god and his gospel. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. May 17, 2008 the bible says when the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice. 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. Esther put on her royal apparelit was not only natural, but, on such occasions, highly proper and expedient, that the queen should decorate herself in a style becoming her exalted station. After these things did king ahasuerus promote haman. 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. Canonical decree, concerning the canonical scriptures csun.
Esther the niv application commentary kindle edition by. This gospel, of old promised through the prophets in the holy scriptures,1 our. Esther chapter 5 explained discover books of the bible. Thus the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Judith, esther, job, the davidic psalter of 150 psalms, proverbs, ecclesiastes, the. The book of esther begins with king ahasuerus known to history outside the bible as xerxes throwing a lavish. And esther found favor in the eyes of everyone who saw her. 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. 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. Nick page, author of the bible book and the tabloid bible, writes. Jun 03, 2004 in the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. A bible commentary for teaching and preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the bible in the church.
The biblical book of esther is set in the persian capital of susa shushan in the third. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. This book dives into advanced aspects of cssbased design, such as responsive design, modular css, and css typography. Well, i can now tell you that i have found you the particularly nasty villain you have been desperate for.
When i wrote my study on the book of ruth 1, i started by saying that it was a fantastic book that had it all well, apart from a nasty villain, but we cant ask for everything. They are a people for whom god has a particular purpose and who have been given special promises. Eventually, i dropped this plan and studied entire bible books at a time. The dead sea scrolls contain fragments of each old testament book, with the exception of esther.
This study guide on the book of esther was written by thomas klock of harvest christian fellowship in 2005. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. 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 book of esther provides us with the greatest illustrations of the providence of god.
Chapters available esther the pulpit commentaries bible. Esther chapters 3 and 4 receive bible study notes by. The story of david in full is found in the books of 1 and 2 samuel and 1 kings 12. The book of esther, like much of the bible, tells the story of gods involvement with his people. The events mentioned in esther therefore happened between ezra chapter 6 and chapter 7. A web search will find many sources for his commentary on the book. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. The hidden hand of god is a wellwritten, thoughtprovoking study of the book 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, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Adele berlins commentary in the jps series is better suited for a critical look at the hebrew text. Esther chapter 1 explained discover books of the bible. Commentary on esther 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible.
Story of esther in the bible as scripture reveals, esther is a jewish woman living in persia and reared by her cousin mordecai. This is my favorite commentary on any book of holy scripture. This commentary approaches the book of esther from a fresh literary pointofview. When the virgins were gathered together the second time they in all probability were gathered together first in the provinces, and afterward in susa, before they were taken into the house of the kings chamberlain. The secondary narrative is chronicles, ezra, nehemiah, and esther, which also. He was a jew, and dwelt in the city of susa, a great man, who was a servant in the kings court. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. Like esther, you were made for such a time as this. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. Learn about the festival of purim in this esther bible study. This 10week study takes a deep look into the book of esther. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1. Stuxnet css cyber defense project center for security.
I should also make a brief comment about the title, farming by the book. She was taken to the king of the persian empire to become a part of. Esther a bible lesson for kids or youth creative bible study. Judges, ruth, samuel, kings, chronicles, ezranehemiah, esther. It was written in the book of the chronicles a day book, wherein all memorable things were recorded. Detailed outline of the book of esther bible blender. The jewish publication societys highly acclaimed bible commentary series provides a linebyline commentary of the original hebrew bible text, complete with vocalization and cantillation marks, alongside the jps english translation. The book of esther illustrates israels unique place in gods plan. The book of esther provides this choice opportunity to search for evidences of the hand of god in everyday life.
The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance. The books of esther applies formcritical tools to the septuagint and nonseptuagint lucianic greek texts of esther. At the start of the book, he says when it happened. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. The canonicity of the book was questioned by some in ancient judaism and early christianity. The writer now goes back to what happened before esther s marriage. Bible study articles, modernday life lessons, new product. Three biblical beginnings scholarlycommons university of. The bible does not mention the book of esther anywhere else. This book particularly teaches us the invisible care of god for those of his people who preferred to stay in the land of exile although they could have returned to palestine since the days of king cyrus of persia see book of ezra.
Jobes volume is best for those seeking a biblicaltheological commentary on the book of esther. When esther, with others, were brought to the kings house, as it was decreed above, esther 2. 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 jewish publication societys highly acclaimed bible commentary series provides a linebyline commentary of the original hebrew bible text, complete with vocalization and cantillation marks, alongside the jps english translation this commentary approaches the book of esther from a fresh literary pointofview. The book demonstrates how god works in the lives of his people, both then. Best esther commentaries updated for 2021 best bible. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of esther. Esther bible study strength to stand in times of uncertainty. Working within a fallen system esther bible commentary.
The advancement of esther to be queen instead of vashti. I always like to let my students know it is okay to use the table of contents in their bibles if they are not sure where a book of the bible is. Carol bechtel expertly explores the historical settings, literary structures, and theological themes that emerge in the book of esther. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. The passages are taken from the primary religious sources the bible and the quran used by jewish, christian, and. And the decree of esther who had received authority and commission from the king to impose this upon all the jews. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward esther. Esther chapters 3 and 4 receive bible study notes by email. Esther the niv application commentary kindle edition. The jewish historian josephus names mordecai as author of the book. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use.
Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. On ordinary occasions she might reasonably set off her charms to as much advantage as possible. By bible blender nov 10, 2010 esther book of, outlines. This is a highly unusual commentary on the book of esther. Each week covers approximately one chapter of esther. Esther then is the one book in the bible where we must, through the illuminating power of the holy spirit, interpret the events primarily as an observer of life. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is.
Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Introduction to the book of esther during the seventy years the jews suffered their babylonian exile, god raised up. The book of esther shows how life took an unexpected turn for esther and her people. As with most of the ot writings the author of the book of esther esther meaning star is not mentioned. Concerns with the book of esther massachusetts bible society. Esther chapter 6 explained discover books of the bible. Oct 20, 2020 in every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the jews, with feasting and celebrating. The flourish bible study series is designed to equip womenfrom baby believers to seasoned saintsto study gods word. Unlike the rest of the bible, however, this book shows gods work indirectly. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. The book of esther commentary by robert jamieson chapter 1 es 1.
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