The Book of Esther

What is the book of Esther about?

The Book of Esther is a biblical text that tells the story of Esther, a Jewish woman who becomes the queen of Persia and saves her people from extermination. The book is set in the Persian Empire, where the Jews were living in exile after the Babylonian captivity.

The story begins with the king of Persia, Ahasuerus, holding a lavish banquet for his nobles and officials. At the banquet, he orders his wife, Vashti, to come and show off her beauty to the guests. Vashti refuses and is banished from the palace. Ahasuerus then decides to hold a beauty contest to find a new queen, and Esther, a Jewish orphan who is being raised by her cousin Mordecai, is chosen.

As Esther becomes queen, Mordecai discovers a plot to kill the king and warns Esther, who tells the king about the plot. The king rewards Mordecai and promotes him to a high position in the kingdom. Meanwhile, the king’s advisor, Haman, becomes jealous of Mordecai’s promotion and plots to exterminate the Jews in the kingdom. He persuades the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all Jews in the kingdom.

When Mordecai learns of the decree, he urges Esther to go to the king and plead for the lives of her people. Esther is hesitant, as it is against the law for anyone to approach the king without being summoned, but Mordecai reminds her that she has been chosen for a higher purpose. Esther agrees and goes before the king, revealing her Jewish heritage and pleading for the lives of her people. The king is moved by Esther’s plea and issues a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies.

As a result of the new decree, the Jews are able to defend themselves and kill their enemies, including Haman. Mordecai is promoted to a high position in the kingdom and the Jews celebrate their deliverance. The celebration becomes a holiday known as Purim, which is still celebrated by Jews today.

The Book of Esther is significant for its portrayal of Esther as a strong and courageous woman who stands up for her people. It also highlights the theme of divine intervention, as Esther’s rise to power and her ability to save her people are seen as the result of God’s intervention. The book also emphasizes the importance of standing up for what is right and fighting against injustice, as Esther and Mordecai risk their lives to save their people from persecution.

Who are the main characters found in the book of Esther?

The main characters in the book of Esther are:

• Esther: The Jewish queen of Persia and the central figure of the book. She is chosen by King Xerxes to be queen and ultimately saves her people from extermination by revealing her Jewish identity and interceding on their behalf.
• King Xerxes: The king of Persia and Esther’s husband. He is manipulated by his advisor, Haman, to issue a decree for the extermination of the Jews, but ultimately changes his mind and allows the Jews to defend themselves.
• Haman: The advisor to King Xerxes who is the main antagonist of the book. He hatches a plan to exterminate the Jews and is ultimately hanged for his crimes.
• Mordecai: Esther’s cousin and guardian who advises and supports her throughout the book. He plays a key role in Esther’s eventual rise to the position of queen.
• Bigthan and Teresh: Two of King Xerxes’ guards who plot to assassinate him. Mordecai overhears their plot and alerts the king, leading to their execution and Mordecai’s promotion.
• Zechariah: An official in King Xerxes’ court who is appointed to carry out the extermination of the Jews. He is killed by the Jews in the final battle.
• The Jewish people: The people of Esther’s ethnicity and religion who are threatened with extermination throughout the book. They ultimately defend themselves and are saved by Esther’s intervention.

What are the main locations found in the book of Esther?

• Susa: The capital city of the Persian Empire and the main setting of the book. It is where King Xerxes’ palace is located and where the court officials, including Haman and Mordecai, reside.
• Persia: The kingdom ruled by King Xerxes and the location of Esther’s origin and identity as a Jew.
• The provinces of the Persian Empire: The book mentions that the King’s decree for the extermination of the Jews is to be carried out in all the provinces of the empire, but it’s not specified which provinces are mentioned.
• Jerusalem: The city where the Jewish people worship and the city where Mordecai came from. It’s not specified in the book if Mordecai and Esther were living in Jerusalem before they were taken to Persia.
• The Gallows: The place where Haman was hanged, it is also called the Tree, according to the book, Haman was hanged on the gallows that he had built for Mordecai.
• The Palace: The palace of King Xerxes where Esther, Haman and Mordecai spend most of their time and where the events that lead to the salvation of the Jewish people take place.

What lessons should we take away from Esther?

There are several lessons that can be taken away from the story of Esther:

• Courage and determination: Esther shows incredible courage and determination in standing up for her people and pleading for their lives before the king. She demonstrates that one person can make a difference, even in the face of great danger.
• The power of faith: Esther’s faith in God and her belief that she has been chosen for a higher purpose give her the strength and confidence to take action.
• The importance of standing up for what is right: Esther and Mordecai risk their lives to fight against injustice and save their people from persecution. They show the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult or dangerous.
• The power of unity: The Jews are able to defend themselves and defeat their enemies because they stand together and fight as a community. This demonstrates the importance of unity and working together to achieve a common goal.

What are some notable verses from the book of Esther?

• Esther 4:14 – “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” This verse is often used to encourage individuals to speak up and use their position or influence for good.
• Esther 5:1-2 – “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.” This verse is often used to highlight Esther’s courage and faith as she approaches the king to save her people.
• Esther 9:22 – “He wrote in the script of Persia and Medea, in the name of King Xerxes, to the governors of the provinces, to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in their own language, and also to the Jews in their script and language.” This verse is often used to highlight the power of God’s protection and providence over the Jewish people.
• Esther 10:3 – “For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow countrymen, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” This verse is often used to highlight Mordecai’s leadership and devotion to his people, and his willingness to speak up for them.