"My Lord, our King, you alone are God. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand." -Esther 4C 14-15

Introduction to Esther

Eshter was born in Susan, the capital of Persia around the time period of the reign of Xerxex I (485-465 B.C.). Historians are not able to find a specific date of birth and death for Eshter. She was orphaned at a young age, so her uncle Mordecai adopted her. Toghether, these two were able to save the life of their King as well as the lives of thousands of Jews.

Mordecai and Esther are shown talking above

Outline of the Book Esther

I. Prologue
II. Elevation of Esther
III. Haman's Plot Against the Jews
IV. Vindication of the Jews
V. Epilogue

-The New American Bible, School and Church Edition

The Story of Esther

Esther, meaning star or happiness, was a Jewess of the tribe of Benjamin and the daughter of Abihail. However, at the death of her parents, she was adopted by her uncle Mordecai, who lived in Susan, the capital of Persia. At the time, Xerxes I was the ruler of Persia, but he was without a wife. His former wife, Vashti, had refused to attend a banquet that Xerxex had planned to hold, so he divorced her. After the divorce, Xerxes ordered his servants to bring the most attractive maidens of his empire to him. Esther quickly caught the eye of Xerxes and the two were married soon after. Mordecai was usually found hanging around the palace, waiting to give Esther help or advice. However, one day he stumbled upon a plot of two servants to kill Xerxes. Mordecai immediately revealed this to Esther, and the two were executed, giving Esther and Mordecai great credibility in the eyes of the king. A little while later, Haman, a royal favorite of the king, summoned a plot to have a general massacre in one day of all the Jews in the empire because of Mordecai's refusal to bow to him. Mordecai again revealed this plot to Esther and convinced her to talk to the king about it. Due to the king's love of Esther and credibility of Mordecai, Xerxes trusted them and hung Haman, saving the lives of all Jews in the Persian Empire.

Eshter is important to Old Testament salvation history because she was able to save the lives of thousands of Jews, and she did it as a woman in a sexist society.

Quiz

1. What type of biblical reading is the Book of Esther classified as? Historical, Law, Wisdom, or Prophetic?
2. What does the name Esther mean in the Hebrew language?
3. Where did Esther live during most of her lifetime and what king did she marry during that time?
4. Why is Esther an unlikely hero?
Answers

Sources

A.L. McMahon, "For Esther Woodall" (book online)(New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909) available from http://www.newadvent.com; Internet
James A. Fischer and others, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Collegville Bible Commentary (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington D.C., 1970) 89-92
J.T., "Esther," in the Jewish Encyclopedia, 1903 ed

Other Good Esther Websites

www.tlc_studies.homestead.com
www.aboutbibleprophecy.com
www.glcc-online.com

Questions, comments, or corrections? Contact me.