Biblical commentary on the book of esther

At the start of the book, he says when it happened. In the jewish bible, esther follows ecclesiastes and lamentations and is read on the festival of purim, which commemorates the rescue of the jews from hamans plottings. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. 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. Chapters 3 to 8 contain the nine scenes that form the complication in the book. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. 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. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. The author of the book is unknown and modern scholars have established that the final stage of the hebrew text would have been formed by the second century bce. The prayers of esther and mordecai are especially noteworthy.

He did not always interpret scripture l iterally and so was amillennial he interpreted revelation as a historicist which led. The book of esther is one of only two books in the bible named for women. 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. The king took off his ring that ring which he had formerly given to haman, but had resumed, he now gives to mordecai, in token of his favour, and with it that power whereof this ring was a sign, making him, as haman had been, the keeper of his signet. See all of our coronavirus resources here toggle navigation. Book of esther, book of the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. 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. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. On that night could not the king sleep how vain are all the contrivances of foolish man against the wise and omnipotent god, who hath the hearts and hands of kings and all men perfectly at his disposal, and can by such trivial accidents as they are accounted change their minds, and produce such terrible effects. Although a bit too technical for most readers, it will be of benefit to seminary students and others doing indepth study of the text. Best esther commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. An argument of the book of esther selected bibliography of the book of esther j. John calvin never preached from the book and did not write a commentary on the book.

Account of mordecai and his cousin esther, esther 2. This commentary by frederic bush on ruth and esther is one of the best in the typically superb word biblical commentary series. 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. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign.

Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Study the narratives of these books by drawing on bushs knowledge of ancient near eastern customs, languages, and hebrew narrative and poetry to illuminate the meaning of these books, and the development and transmission of each books textual witnesses. The book of esther tells a compelling story, dramatic and exciting. The historical books a good introduction to and overview of the historical books of the old testament joshua, judgesruth, 1 and 2 samuel, 1 and 2 kings, 1 and 2 chronicles, ezra, nehemiah, esther. Did you know that the book bearing her name in the old testament does. His presence permeates much of the story, as though he were behind the scenes coordinating coincidences and circumstances to make his will happen. After these things, when the wrath of king ahasuerus subsided, he remembered vashti. And esther set mordecai over the house of haman not over his family, for that was destroyed, but over his lands and. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible.

At the end of the book, he says that the official records included the story about esther. 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. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. While it is always important to understand the context of a particular scripture text, it is especially critical with this one. The book of esther provides many biblical lessons that can be applied towards life today. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual. But the writer wants us to know that the story is true. Read and study esther, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. In 1934 annie became a missionary in china with oms. Frederic bush ruthesther word biblical commentary, 1996. Engage the challenging books of ruth and esther utilizing the dynamic expertise of frederic bush.

Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on. Commentaries for the book of esther the royal feast of ahasuerus. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage, divine. In case you are unfamiliar with this series, the scholarship in its various volumes is typically impeccable.

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 wish they had not come to us at all, for they have too many heathen unnaturalities. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her. The book of esther in hebrew is secular in nature, in that the name of god, the temple, and prayer are not mentioned. The book of esther is a story, and these brief passages from chapters 7 and 9. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. The gathering together of a harem for king ahasuerus. The word biblical commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to scripture as divine revelation. It belongs to the third section of the judaic canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings. Engage the challenging books of ruth and esther utilizing the dynamic. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use.

The bible book of esther is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives. The bible does not mention the book of esther anywhere else. Frederic bush, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 1996, 528 pp. 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. He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. Adam clarke commentary on esther 17601832 clarke was methodist, wesleyan, arminian, e. Praise for the print edition this informative commentary. Esther 3 is the third chapter of the book of esther in the hebrew bible or the old testament of the christian bible. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. In the story of esther, youll meet a beautiful, young queen who risked her life to serve god and save her people. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b.

Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. Matthew henry commentary on esther 1 esther is chosen queen a. All of these teachings are powerful and depict true courage and devotion. During world war ii she spent 21 months in a japanese concentration camp as a prisoner. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls.

Esther 1 niv queen vashti deposed this is what bible. Commentary on esther 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. 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. This commentary shows how esther is perfect guidance for us when we find ourselves in a situation where right and wrong are not so clearly defined and every choice we have seems to be a troubling mixture of good and bad. The niv application commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in todays context. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god.

Ruth, esther word biblical commentary, volume 9 wbc. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Did you know that esther is mentioned more times in the bible than any other woman. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology.

For those seeking a more extensive commentary on the book of esther, frederic bushs work in the wbc series is a good place to start. Esther 1 new international version niv queen vashti deposed. Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing esther as comedy and as diaspora literature. 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.