Esther

Title 1. Hebrew – rTes.a, 2. Greek – Esqhr 3. Latin – Hester

Author Anonymous The author of Esther is anonymous, but it seems that it must have been a Persian Jew who lived and wrote either during or soon after the events described here. A natural suggestion for an author has been Mordecai, but this seems unlikely given that 10:2-3 appears to speak of him in the past tense. Still, we know that Mordecai kept records (9:20) and it is likely that these records were at least used in the writing of this account.

Date of Writing ~ 464 BC Xerxes (Ahasuerus) 464 is the date of the end of the reign of Ahasuerus. It is likely that the events were recorded towards the end of his reign or actually after it. Ahasuerus is the Hebrew name for Xerxes (Greek) or Xshayarsha (Persian). It was against this king that the famous battles of Salamas and Thermopolae (480) were fought.

Theme – God’s Providential Protection During the time of Esther, the Jews had already begun to return to Jerusalem, under Zerubbabel and Nehemiah. Those who chose to remain in Persia were largely disobedient to the Lord’s will. Yet, even so, God chose to protect those who remained through the workings of Esther and Mordecai and the influence that they wielded over Ahasuerus.

Purpose of Writing Esther describes the life of the Israelites in exile in Persia. It shows us how God is in control of all things and works all things for the good of his people for his glory. One of the themes of this book is the courage that it is necessary to perform the work of God.

Christ in Esther 1. Esther 2. The Messianic Line

Christ in Esther Esther 1. She is Queen 2. She places herself in death’s way in order to save her people 3. She intercedes for her people

Christ in Esther The Messianic Line One of the motifs of the Bible is the attempt to destroy the Jewish people, specifically, the Messianic line. This effort began with the Egyptian decree to kill all the male babies of the Jews in Genesis, it continued in the many military efforts against Israel recorded through the historical sections of Scripture. It is seen later in the slaughter of the innocents in the Gospels. And it is seen clearly here in the effort to kill all the Jews in Persia.

The Fulfillment of the Word of the Lord Mordecai Haman

Esther 2:5 Now there was at the citadel in Susa a Jew whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite.

Esther 3:1 …King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite….

The Capture of Agag, King of Amalek

The Fulfillment of the Word of the Lord Exodus 17:16 The LORD has sworn; “the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation."

Place in the Canon Historically, Esther describes how the Jews evaded yet another threat against their existence. Theologically, Esther demonstrates that God is in total control of the world scene, even when he is not clearly visible. Devotionally, Esther should inspire us to trust God’s plans and to be courageous in doing what we understand to be the right thing.