Co commentary on the book of esther

The book of esther describes how this crisis was averted through the bravery of esther, the wisdom of mordecai and the unity of the jewish people. The main character is hadassah, a beautiful young jewish woman who caught the eye of persian king xerxes ahasuerus and gave up her ordinary life to become queen esther of persia. Queen vashti as the book of esther of begins, queen vashti, one of the most beautiful women in the land, is secure in her position. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by lewis bayles paton, publication date 1908 topics. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. In that series, he mentioned somewhere that karen jobes, who easily probably wrote one of the best commentaries on esther, and upon remembering that namedrop, i found this commentary for a collegepaper i had to write on a passage in esther. The commentary section after the introduction to the book of esther is less than 100 pages, so this commentary is not that detailed. In order to bring about their salvation, mordecai had to be in the right place at the right time so he could hear the plot to kill the king. As with most of the ot writings the author of the book of esther esther meaning star is not mentioned. The greek text says that he brought her up so that she could become his wife. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. The book of esther is a story, and these brief passages from chapters. Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing. The jewish historian josephus names mordecai as author of the book.

Feb 25, 2020 nina collins also draws a link between pharoah waking in the night in exodus 12. Read about esther s decision to act on behalf of her people in esther 4. The book of esther is a vivid tale of political intrigue and racial prejudice that illustrates the theme of gods protection of his people and the punishment of their opponents. Commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. It is a work in progress, so keep coming back for the next saga in the life of queen esther of the bible. The book of esther may remind you of a classic, once upon a time childrens story with a wealthy king, his beautiful queen, and an evil villain. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1. It includes essays entitled when and where was the book of esther written.

Mid size czuker edition hebrew mikraos gedolos megillas esther. Others propose ezra or possibly nehemiah because the books share similar literary styles. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The advancement of esther to the position of queen verses 121 a. She invites him to a feast in the company of haman 5. Debra reids approachable commentary helps us see even more clearly in the book of esther the god who quietly and sometimes unexpectedly works behind the scenes to order the events of our lives. Esther the niv application commentary kindle edition. Reading esther as a postcolonial feminist icon for asian women in. The hebrew text says that mordecai brought up esther as his daughter. Rabbi soloveitchiks view of esther israel drazin the. The introductory essay provides a good overview of the book of esther a summary of the plot, an analysis of the books structure and themes, and a discussion of the historicity and origins of the various versions of text itself. 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. For example, when esther asks the jews to fast, we can assume this included prayer est.

The seventeenth book of the ot in the traditional english order. Feb 25, 2018 faith plays no significant part in rabbi soloveitchiks commentary on esther because of his belief that the story shows how humans acted without relying on god, who is not explicitly mentioned in. Adele berlin, jps bible commentary jpstc, jewish publication society, 2001, 110 pp. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. A commentary the old testament library kindle edition by. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. Book of esther a free daily devotional bible study. The esther story is found among the writings in the hebrew bible. 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. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of esther. The events that the first chapter of the book of esther describes happened about 483 bc before christ. Over 100 years earlier, nebuchadnezzar the king of babylon had attacked jerusalem. The pulpit commentary introduces the book of esther with the following. As a womens ministry leader, i am excited about the development of the flourish bible study series that will not only prayerfully equip women.

Jon levenson has written in the old testament library otl series one of the very best commentaries available from the critical camp on the exciting book of esther. Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. 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. From proclaim my word, in partnership with am 1160 the quest your atlanta catholic radio, this sixsession bible study will help each of us to live, like esther, for such a time as this.

Commentary on esther 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. The whole history of this book in its connected order, with the occurrences in the persian empire at that time, will be found in the introduction. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. Ahasuerus makes royal feasts for his nobles and people, esther 1. On the mystical level king achashverosh alludes to gd, the king of the world. 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.

Esther, without focusing on an particular one as, for instance, berlin or fox do with literary analysis. Abingdon old testament commentary by linda day at eden. Karen jobes has written the most engaging, interesting, and helpful commentary on the book of esther presently available. Public calamities, that oppress the church of god, should affect our hearts more than any private affliction, and it is peculiarly distressing to occasion sufferings to others. The book of esther is a story, and these brief passages from chapters 7 and 9 deal only with the climax and the ending. Classical sources such as josephus, the jewish commentary esther rabbah and the. It gives us a glimpse of the jews who remained outside their homeland after the exile, particularly the jews living in the persian empire.

Jan 20, 2021 esther 12 resources multiple sermons and commentaries. The book of esther illustrates israels unique place in gods plan. As a result, jews and protestants usually read a version of the book of esther that. 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. The book of esther also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance. The intervening time had been spent in the expedition to greece.

They are a people for whom god has a particular purpose and who have been. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. A bible study podcast series based on the book of esther have you ever wondered who god created you to be. The book of esther commentary by robert jamieson chapter 1 es 1. An early karaite commentary on the book of esther jstor. 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. Esther introduction old testament matthew henry st.

While it is always important to understand the context of a particular scripture text, it is especially critical with this one. The commentary is accessible to laymen, but should be useful to pastors and scholars as well. Esther, along with the old testament books song of solomon, ruth, lamentations, and. Found favor chen is derived from chananhanan which depicts a heartfelt response by someone who has something to give to one who has a need. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. God will keep those that are exposed to evil by the tenderness of their consciences.

The book of esther provides us with the greatest illustrations of the providence of god. But while the characters might resemble a fairy tale, the book of esther depicts actual events that shaped jewish history and instituted the festival of purim. Feb 01, 2021 number 1 rated commentary esther an introduction and commentary tyndale old testament commentaries joyce g. The book of esther we hope that you find the complete content of the esther helpful to your bible studies and for references which allow you to read the books and individual verses of the book of esther. The beautiful esther, who also has the hebrew name hadassah which means myrtle esther 2. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Well, i can now tell you that i have found you the particularly nasty villain you have been desperate for. Esther 9 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. 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. Harem politics, antisemitism, and an audacious jewish heroine combine to make this story from the later persian period early 4th cent. Almost 70 years after that, the king of persia defeated. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old.

Given that the book of esther is deliberately not naming things like god, temple, prayer etc it makes sense that if the author wanted to allude to passover they would do so indirectly such as through the use of the dates. Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. Sex and spies, rabbinic interpretation, and many others. On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the. A classic story of good versus evil, the book of esther is a unique account in the bible. Fulfilling lifes mission we flounder without a mission leaders guide we flounder without a mission scripture. The book of esther begins with king ahasuerus known to history outside the bible as xerxes. This may be the only decision the king may on his own in the book of esther. And esther found favor in the eyes of everyone who saw her. Esther 9 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. Rabbi soloveitchiks view of esther israel drazin the blogs. Discover purims exciting origins in the book of esther.

Her knowledge of the text is extensive, and her insights into current application are valuable. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Best esther commentaries updated for 2021 best bible. In esther s story, gods involvement is implicit rather than explicit. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward esther. Levensons book consists of two parts an introductory essay of 35 pages, followed by a linebyline commentary on the text of esther. The hidden hand of god provides a visually engaging study with accessible content to help women understand the content of the book of esther in the context of the whole counsel of scripture. This commentary approaches the book of esther from a fresh literary point of view. The bible study book of esther, by jenn peppers and tara miller, flow, llc. Understanding the perilous situation of the jews is crucial in interpreting esther 4. Baldwin rosscup is a bit less enamored with karen jobes commentary writing jobes will not be clear to some in her view that a biblical book can have legitimate errors in historical matters for the sake of poetic license, without.

By understanding the book of esthers jewish context and origins, the potential for. Jun 03, 2004 in the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. Although his name is never mentioned, we see his providence in each page of this wonderful little book. The book of esther was written to display the providence of god. When a secular company eliminates bias in promotions and pay scales, is god at work there. This brief summary of esther is also very useful for catholic sunday school lessons and roman catholic bible study at home. The book of esther presents an interesting challenge for feminist interpretation. I always appreciate it when there is clear consensus on the best commentary on any given book of the bible. When esther was selected as queen, it was to save the lives of the jewish people esth.

Esther the niv application commentary kindle edition by. Gods choice of israel as his treasured possession guaranteed that hamans intent to exterminate the jewish people would fail deut. For rabbi stuart halperns commentary on the enduring story of esther in america, click here the year is 1853, the place is a womens rights convention in new york city, and the. The fate of gods chosen people is at the very center of the story, but god seems to. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible.

A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. However, when king ahazuerus calls for the queen, and she. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who. The fate of gods chosen people is at the very center of the story, but god seems to remain in the shadows. Esther, book of the seventeenth book of the ot in the traditional english order. Now that you have an overview of the book in mind, you can apply what you know to interpret specific passages in esther. Utilize observation, interpretation, contextualization, and application to dissect the meaning of this passage.

This list of commentaries is intended to help the reader understand and apply the authors message in the book of esther. He overcame the jews and he took many jews to babylon. Esther 1 adam clarke commentary bible commentaries. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage.