Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of persia and renamed esther, meaning star. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. The word of god is precious and far beyond human wisdom isa. Did you know that the book bearing her name in the old testament does. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. The purpose of the book of esther is to display the providence of god, especially in regard to his chosen people, israel. In fact, god is not directly mentioned by name in the book of esther. He may not always do it in the way we think he should, but the book of esther shows that he is in control even when we dont see him. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Esther is unique in that it is the only book of scripture that does not mention god, although clearly gods providential hand of protection of his people pervades the pages. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the.
It is clear that the author was a jew, both from his emphasis on the origin of a jewish festival and from the jewish nationalism that permeates the story. Mordecai, sitting at the kings gate, discovers a conspiracy formed against the kings life by two of his chamberlains. The book of esther shows how the hand of god can move in a supernaturallynatural way. But the writer wants us to know that the story is true. For over one hundred years, the international critical commentary series has held a special place among works on the bible. The book of esther is placed among the hagiographa by the jews, and in that first portion of them which they call the five rolls. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. Here is the story of esther through a summary of each of the 10 chapters. Esther bible study chapter 5 she goes before the king. Esther bible study part 1 the story of esther is one of the most exciting and inspiring in all the word of god.
How to love god with all your heart by keith simons. God makes adam and eve and everything genesis 1224. Although we do not know who wrote the book of esther, from internal evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author and the date of composition. It has been well said that the book of esther is a record of wonders without a miracle, and therefore, though equally revealing the glory of the lord, it sets it forth in another fashion from that which is displayed in the overthrow of pharaoh by. Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness, than this banquet of wine, with. Esther 1, new international version niv the bible app. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. This commentary explains the things that are clear in the song. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and made it known to esther who passed the news to the king. But he has promised the holy spirit to help us understand john 16.
Esther overview spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Commentary from the sages the chabad website gives an illuminating selection of comments from different rabbis and jewish sages on the book of esther. Working within a fallen system esther bible commentary. Account of mordecai and his cousin esther, esther 2. 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.
This is the sixth installment on a bible study series on the book of esther. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Esther pleases the king, and is set above all the women. Not only is it a great story with all the drama and.
He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. This commentary deals with the bible text like a picture in words about gods love. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. Publication date 1908 topics bible publisher new york. Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. The book of esther was likely written between 460 and 350 b. The events in the book of esther occurred from 483.
It all begins with god by marie wetherill and keith simons. The counsellors advise that a selection of virgins should be made throughout the empire, out of whom the king should choose one to be queen in place of vashti, esther 2. If esther fails to act, and both she and mordecai perish, then her family will be wiped out. It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast of purim. Summary of the book of esther genuine leather bible. Bible students disagree about the meaning and purpose of this book. Esther bible story summary what christians want to know. Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th.
The events of the book of esther occurred between 483 and 473 bc. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ. It has sought to bring together all the relevant aids to exegesislinguistic and textual no less than archaeological, historical, literary and theologicalwith a level of comprehension and quality of scholarship unmatched by any other. Esther commentary, sermon, illustration esther commentaries. 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. Book of esther, the book of esther bible study, commentary. 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. Esther note and ruth see resources are the only books of the bible centered around a woman. Jan 16, 20 we are on esther chapter 5 of our bible study.
Adele berlins commentary in the jps series is better suited for a critical look at the hebrew text. This informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. Place of esther in the old testament a critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther canonicity canonical status word biblical commentary, volume 9. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israel.
Did you know that esther is mentioned more times in the bible than any other woman. Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness, than this banquet of wine, with all the noise and tumult that must have attended it. 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. Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. At the start of the book, he says when it happened. The book of esther records the institution of the feast of purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews. Top 5 commentaries on the book of esther ligonier ministries. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in their synagogues to the present day. The book of esther is one of the latest of the canonical books of scripture, having been written late in the reign of xerxes, or early in that of his son artaxerxes longimanus b.
The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. Having consumed ample amounts of wine, ahasuerus commanded his servants to bring queen vashti before him in order that he might show her off to the other partygoers es. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. These bible commentaries are easy to read and understand. Bob is a pastorteacher and elder at community bible chapel in richardson, texas, and has contributed many of his bible study series for use by the foundation. Jan 01, 2001 this informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. Jobes volume is best for those seeking a biblicaltheological commentary on the book of esther. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of esther. There is hardly a book in the bible, upon the trustworthiness of which there has been made so determined an attack, as the book of esther. T he story of esther reads like a novel and is full of great spiritual lessons. At the end of the book, he says that the official records included the story about esther. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the new testament.
The book of esther this is the most recent movie production of the book of esther. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of media and persia. 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. In the book of esther this information is casually presented as unimportant, but comes up later in the story. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. Esther a persian word meaning star is the more familiar name of a jewish girl named hadassah which is hebrew for myrtle. An interpretation of the dream that relates its features to the plot of the book is given in f. Age of the book a critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. Addition a has mordecai inform the king directly, whereas in 2. Read and study esther, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. She is chosen among the young women, and is placed under the care of hegai, the kings chamberlain, to go through a years.
Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by paton, lewis bayles, 18641932. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is.
The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth. This is my favorite commentary on any book of holy scripture. On the mystical level king achashverosh alludes to gd, the king of the world. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on. 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 writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. Book of esther chapter 1 king assuerus maketh a great feast. And king ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. We might even think that he does not care about us.
All the trust the king had reposed in haman, he now placed in mordecai. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. So, whenever you open the sacred word, also open your heart to god in prayer, allowing the words of this commentary to direct your thoughts to the scriptures and to the one they tell us about. Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing esther as comedy and as diaspora literature. The bible does not mention the book of esther anywhere else. Early jewish and christian traditions suggest that among the people named in the book, mordecai, esthers cousin and guardian, was in the best position to record the events. Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ the book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in their synagogues to the present day. 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. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her.
Date the international standard bible encyclopedia, revised. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.
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