Ahasuerus and haman at the feast of esther by rembrandt. The heroine of the book named for her, esther is a young jewish woman living in exile in the persian lit. In the story of esther, youll meet a beautiful, young queen who risked her life to serve god and save her people. Esthers story is retold by josephus in book 11, chapter 6 of the jewish antiquities. The book of esther takes place in susa modern day iran in the court of a persian king, xerxes or ahasuerus. Even if the story is just a parable, its lessons remain equally strong. In many ways, esthers story known as the book of esther in the. The book is named for the star of the story, a young jewish girl named hadassah who was taken from her guardian, mordecai, and forced to compete for the affection of the king. The book of esther in the bible contains the whole entire story of esther and mordecai. Myrtle branches are carried in procession during the feast of booths. She outlines the work of several scholars in distinguishing authentic history from fiction in biblical texts. If haman had succeeded, the jewish people as a whole would have been destroyed, and the story of gods saving work in and through abrahams descendants would have.
In the book of esther, it is clear that there is an ongoing division between the jews and the amalakites, dating back to the book of exodus. The author of esther patterned much of his material on the events of the joseph story see notes on 2. Shea in this study of esther for the anchor bible series, c. Some may respond that the book can be true even if it is not historically accurate. Unlike daniel, there seems to be no concern on the part of esther to keep the dietary laws. On the one hand it is written as a historical narrative with intimate knowledge of the persian court.
The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Some see this book as another attempt by satan to destroy the covenant community cf. Esthers hebrew name may have had a similar sound to the following persian words. The opening verses of esther place these events in a historical timeline. 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. God uses a young jewish lady just a normal girl to do great things save the nation of israel. Queen esther used her position as queen to rescue the jewish people from destruction. The book may have been composed as late as the first. Esthers family, the the author and her family belong to the beneisrael jewish community, which was traditionally based in western india mainly in gujurat and maharastra. Theres a picture of her praying with her attendants so it just sort of confused me that prayer wasnt obviously an important part of who esther was as a person and a book. The beautiful esther, who also has the hebrew name hadassah which means myrtle esther 2. Pushkin museumwikimedia there are many unique aspects to the biblical book that tells the purim story.
This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of persia and renamed esther, meaning star. Historically, the book of esther unveils a segment of jewish history occurring during the jewish captivity in persia. We are first introduced to her as she is taken into the palace by the persian king ahasuerus to become his new wife esth 2. Esther is the only historical book in the greek old testament that has a subscription. Semler in 1773, that claim has increasingly been rejected, to the point that in the twentieth century only a handful of critical scholars have strenuously argued for the books. She outlines the work of several scholars in distinguishing authentic. Jonah, ruth, and esther cliffsnotes study guides book. Robert baralhistorical booksthe book ofesther1282007 adpage 3 i. We certainly know that many, perhaps most, midrashim were intended to relay allegorical religious messages and not to decsribe historical facts, as commentators such as maharal and maharsha demonstrate at length. The book of esther is one of only two books in the bible named for women. Esther is part of a much larger story that runs all the way from abraham to christ and, through him, to the church.
From the content of the additions, the following conclusions may be drawn. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of esther in his audio message from the classic. Much could be said about this topic of course, but based on some of my favorite commentaries, ive identified three influences that, for the purposes of. A 1975 article by cary moore in the biblical archaeologist notes even though the book of esther claims to be a strictly historical account, ever since the work of j. What is book of esther about and why should i care. Esther and mordecai under xerxes of persia amazing bible. The seventeenth book of the ot in the traditional english order. Esthers brave actions saved the jews from massacre and preserved the lineage of christ. 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. The book of esther provides one possible answer to that question, tough cookie though it is. Click the reference for full context and commentary. Hebrew, a joyous holiday that recounts the saving of the jews from a threatened massacre during the persian period. The jewish community, and its areas of residence, outside ere z israel. The book of esther is read as part of the celebration of purim.
Even though the book of esther claims to be a strictly historical account, ever since j th. The great prophets of israel taught us moral, not historical. Semler in 1773, that claim has increasingly been rejected, to the point that in the twentieth century only a handful of critical scholars have strenuously argued for the book s. This book completes the historical books of the old testament. However, historical accuracy was not the purpose of the story, which illustrates the antagonism between foreign nations and the jews. Esther s family, the the author and her family belong to the beneisrael jewish community, which was traditionally based in western india mainly in gujurat and maharastra.
This antagonism is exemplified in the stories concerning mordecai and haman, and especially in the plot that haman forms in order to have the jews massacred. There is nothing close to a consensus, however, as to what historical event provided the basis for the story. Historical background the book of esther may be placed historically between the events recorded in ezra and nehemiah. On the other hand it does not conform to this genre as it is found in the bible for one main reason. In the biblical book that bears her name, esther is a beautiful young jewish woman who lives with her cousin and foster parent, mordecai, in the persian royal citadel of susa. A history of controversy the book of esther is a fascinating story that has a lot of stuff going on that isnt readily apparent to the reader.
Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. The gilded chamber is a world unto itself and one well worth entering. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third. The events in the book of esther occurred from 483. The blend of these literary features with a historical setting and a theological purpose, however, suggest that the genre of the book of esther is unique to itself. The historical accuracy of the book of esther has caused considerable speculative controversy. The book of esther page 2languages the literal, physical heart in literature is a reference to the thinking portion of a persons soul. The narrative takes a turn when mordecai inflames the wrath of the kings highest. But first i need to point out that the issue under question is the historical accuracy of the book of esther, not the related midrashim. There is nothing like it in ancient literature, and in the bible, only the story of joseph comes close andrew e. We started our study of the book of esther last week with a general survey of the book.
The book of esther is a romantic and patriotic tale, perhaps with some historical basis but with so little religious purpose the book purports to explain how the feast of purim came to be celebrated by the jews. Herodotus account of amestris as queen, not vashti or esther. This is a broad strategy to historical attacks on jewish traditions. Esther s story is retold by josephus in book 11, chapter 6 of the jewish antiquities. The political machinations of halannah, hamans niece and the concubine who would be queen, are the epicenter of the novel, which pivots on harem life, bringing a lessfrequentlyseen perspective to the. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is better viewed. Much could be said about this topic of course, but based on some of my favorite commentaries, ive identified three influences that, for the purposes of our discussions here, should be introducedpurim, persia, and patriarchy. Jun 21, 2016 a compelling piece of historical fiction.
Today, that query may not loom quite as large in america, but it definitely does in many other places throughout the world the middle east, burma, the congoand about a dozen or more other places. The persians came into power throughout the ancient world under cyrus the great 560530 b. The book of esther invites the reader into the world of the powerful and wealthy persian royal court. Esther devises a scheme by which she will not only save her people, but expose the evil haman at. Archaeology and the book of esther andrews university. Baumgarten discusses some historical and chronological problems to accepting esther as veritable history. The book of esther has a james bondish, tickingtimebomb plot. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries.
Recently, the historicity of the biblical book of esther whether the book is historically true has been called into question an a most bold and audacious manner. This summary of the book of esther provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of esther. The book of esther is a hodgepodge of different genres. In other languages, the heart may be the emotional arena of the soul, and, in still others, heart may refer to the emotional part of the soul in reference to love. Harem politics, antisemitism, and an audacious jewish heroine combine to make this story from the later persian period early 4th cent. More important for the present discussion, scholars retro jected their value system back to ancient israel. But didnt esther proclaim a 3 day fast with the intention of saving her people. Nov 26, 2012 the festival of purim was established by mordecai to remind jewish people how they were saved by queen esther and mordecai from extermination. The communitys origins are obscure, but popular lore believes that it consists of the descendants of survivors of a ship wrecked on the konkan coast of india.
Esther is encouraged by mordicai to conceal her jewishness. The festival of purim was established by mordecai to remind jewish people how they were saved by queen esther and mordecai from extermination. There are certain elements of the book of esther that are historically accurate. Megillat esther, the book of esther in the form that we have it in the hebrew bible.
This historical account is not found elsewhere in the bible. Feasting is another prominent theme in esther, as shown in the outline below. Esther is a book of history thats not difficult at all to understand its short and interesting. Moore divided the arguments against the historicity of the book into three groups. This term is symbolic among the jews for peace and joy zech. Today we continue our series, esther actually, with a look at the cultural, historical, and religious context that produced the book of esther.
Sep 17, 2012 today we continue our series, esther actually, with a look at the cultural, historical, and religious context that produced the book of esther. When it comes to genre, esther is one of the hardest books to place. The book of esther and ancient storytelling society of biblical. Queen esthers story and jewish purim holiday learn religions. The book of esther has great historical value because it falls in a period of history where some of the decisive events that would determine the future destiny of western civilization. Its also heavy on action, drama, and game of thronesstyle intrigue, while being notably lacking in legal codes, commandments, theologyall that kind of thing. Even the name of the book, esther, is significant because that name when translated from the persian means something hidden. This is one book of the bible you could easily read while marinating in a bubble bath, without feeling particularly. Her name in hebrew is hadassah bdb 2, which means myrtle 2. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. Esther is a broken and flawed figure struggling to capture the attentions of king xerxes while fighting her feelings for one of his soldiers. This book does have some surprising aspects, but i am reluctant to jettison the historical in this book as i am with joseph and daniel. Admit its historical character and all is easywe have an adequate cause assigned for the visible effects.
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. The great prophets of israel taught us moral, not historical, lessons. Add to that a flavor of steampunk youve likely never tried before, blend it all up but keep it kosher. Although we do not know who wrote the book of esther, from internal evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author. In an article for the journal of biblical literature, the book of esther and ancient storytelling, scholar adele berlin also writes about the scholarly concerns over esthers historical accuracy.
Linguistically the book may be dated to the latter half of the fifth or the early fourth century b. The book contains some accurate historical details about the persian empire, but a few exaggerations. Esther, the beautiful jewish wife of the persian king ahasuerus xerxes i, and her cousin mordecai persuade the king to retract. Jan 29, 2019 in an article for the journal of biblical literature, the book of esther and ancient storytelling, scholar adele berlin also writes about the scholarly concerns over esthers historical accuracy. Margaret george, author of mary, called magdalene a triumph of historical imagination and a mustread for loversand lovers of jewish history. Intro to esther biblica the international bible society. Ii the differentiation between an historical nucleus and a novelistic elaboration yet does not do justice to the composite literary nature of the book of esther, in which further elements can be discerned.
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