You will also find options for commentaries on esther that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. Recipient of the prize of the minister of science, culture, and sport of the state of israel for classical literature for the year 5762 2001. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr.
Number 1 rated commentary esther an introduction and commentary tyndale old testament commentaries joyce g. A story of the providence of god in a pagan land page 4 introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1. Most likely, the book of esther doesnt have the name of god because it shows how god works behind the scenes. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. The book of esther is a story, and these brief passages from chapters. The book of esthera case study of ideological interpretation jstor. His predecessor was king darius 522485 bc who is mentioned in ezra 4.
In esther s story, gods involvement is implicit rather than explicit. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god. The study extends for only three weeks, so there is no longterm commitment. Karen jobes esther niv application commentary, 1999. The book of esther provides us with the greatest illustrations of the providence of god. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six chapter seven s. The unknown author of the book of esther was most likely a jew very familiar with the. Esther 1, new living translation nlt the bible app. God is always active in esther, even though it is behind the scenes. John calvin never preached from the book and did not write a commentary on the book. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history.
Publication date 1908 topics bible publisher new york. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. The commentary approaches the book of esther from a fresh literary pointofview. Esther bible study with free printable bible study guide. 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. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible.
We hope this page helps you find the best commentary on esther. Esther and ruth reformed expository commentary, 2005. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Its one of the most beautiful books in the bible and so full of great takeaways for the modern christian woman today. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by paton, lewis bayles, 18641932.
Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. The bible study book of esther, by jenn peppers and tara miller, flow, llc. The events of the book of esther occurred during the reign of king ahasuerus, xerxes i. The fate of gods chosen people is at the very center of the story, but god seems to. Early jewish and christian traditions suggest that among the people named in the book, mordecai, esther s cousin and guardian, was in the best position to record the events. This book is also the reason why the jewish people created the jewish festivity of purim, which is celebrated annually amongst all jewish people in. While it is always important to understand the context of a particular scripture text, it is especially critical with this one. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. The events that the first chapter of the book of esther describes happened about 483 bc before christ. David guzik commentary on esther 10, where mordecai gets promoted and the glory of the reign of king ahasuerus is recorded. 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. 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. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her beauty at king ahasuerus feast, and is therefore banished.
Fulfilling lifes mission we flounder without a mission leaders guide we flounder without a mission scripture. Over 100 years earlier, nebuchadnezzar the king of babylon had attacked jerusalem. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. For example, when esther asks the jews to fast, we can assume this included prayer est. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. Martin luther renounced the book, along with other apocryphal books saying, i am so great an enemy to the second book of the maccabees, and to esther, that i.
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. This summary of the book of esther will help with many different forms of bible study. 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. Joyce baldwin esther tyndale old testament commentaries, 1984. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The book of esther in hebrew is secular in nature, in that the name of god, the temple, and prayer are not mentioned. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esther a comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth.
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. On march 20th, the study begins and its absolutely free. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of read more the book of esther bible study. He overcame the jews and he took many jews to babylon. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible.
Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Although his name is never mentioned, we see his providence in each page of this wonderful little book. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The bible book of esther with full chapters, footnotes and bible commentary to aid your bible search, reading, and study. Esther bible book with full chapters new international. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Not one commentary was written on the book of esther in the first seven centuries of the church. Intertextual ripples of the book of esther vu research portal. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. I really like the life applications he has in his books. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls.
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. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. Study esther using john gills exposition of the bible to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. Something i hesitate to do in this current seasonread more. 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 distorting the truth 34. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. It includes essays entitled when and where was the book of esther written. The bible study of esther is the third one ive read in mr. The prayers of esther and mordecai are especially noteworthy. Perhaps also the book of esther does not contain the name of god because it was written under persian rule, and for distribution in the persian empire. 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. 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.