The book of esther serves as the authorizing document for purim, a holiday that is not mentioned in the torah. Commentaries for the book of esther haman seeks to destroy the jews. She was taken to the king of the persian empire to become a part of. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. 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. The book of esther was likely written between 460 and 350 b. Book of esther, the book of esther bible study, commentary. Esther overview george leo haydocks catholic bible. The bible does not mention the book of esther anywhere else. Addition a has mordecai inform the king directly, whereas in 2. 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. Date the international standard bible encyclopedia, revised.
Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing esther as comedy and as diaspora literature. T he story of esther reads like a novel and is full of great spiritual lessons. The canonicity of the book was questioned by some in ancient judaism and early christianity. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in their synagogues to the present day. The author of esther patterned much of his material on the events of the joseph story see notes on 2. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on. An interpretation of the dream that relates its features to the plot of the book is given in f. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. 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. Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the new testament. Not only is it a great story with all the drama and.
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. Working within a fallen system esther bible commentary. Story of esther in the bible as scripture reveals, esther is a jewish woman living in persia and reared by her cousin mordecai. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Bible students disagree about the meaning and purpose of this book. At the start of the book, he says when it happened. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. Ahasuerus makes royal feasts for his nobles and people, esther 1. 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. Feasting is another prominent theme in esther, as shown in the outline below. 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. Commentaries for esther chapter 1 the royal feast of ahasuerus.
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. Esther overview spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. His predecessor was king darius 522485 bc who is mentioned in ezra 4. 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. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Though the name of god be not in this book, the finger of god is shown by minute events for the bringing about his peoples deliverance. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4.
He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. Esther is the only book of the hebrew bible not represented among the dead sea scrolls. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. In fact, god is not directly mentioned by name in the book of esther. 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. For over one hundred years, the international critical commentary series has held a special place among works on the bible. Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. These bible commentaries are easy to read and understand. Did you know that esther is mentioned more times in the bible than any other woman. But he has promised the holy spirit to help us understand john 16. The word of god is precious and far beyond human wisdom isa.
Scripture says mordecai recorded certain events in order to relate them to jews throughout the kingdom see esth. The book of esther records the institution of the feast of purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. In the book of esther this information is casually presented as unimportant, but comes up later in the story. It all begins with god by marie wetherill and keith simons. Esther overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary was originally compiled by priest and biblical scholar rev. It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast of purim. It is careful not to say that god commanded the observance of purim. This informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. 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. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of esther.
Ahasueruss feast ended in heaviness, by his own folly. 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. The book of esther this is the most recent movie production of the book of esther. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israel. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. We find in this book, that even those jews who were scattered in the province of the heathen, were taken care of, and were wonderfully preserved, when threatened with destruction. Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. Mordecai learned of a plot to kill the king and made it known to esther who passed the news to the king. 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. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control.
The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. This is my favorite commentary on any book of holy scripture. Publication date 1908 topics bible publisher new york. Jobes volume is best for those seeking a biblicaltheological commentary on the book of esther. This commentary deals with the bible text like a picture in words about gods love. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. God makes adam and eve and everything genesis 1224.
Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. This is the sixth installment on a bible study series on the book of esther. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book of esther in the bible is a dramatic account which can give us insight into gods special and purposeful plan for our lives.
Esther bible commentary you may download this bible commentary on esther as a single file or download it by specific chapters. Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. This bible commentary on esther is from college press and it is only for your personal use. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. Interest in the book of esther has been both negative and positive. Esther 2 chapter 1 several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews. Adele berlins commentary in the jps series is better suited for a critical look at the hebrew text. This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of persia and renamed esther, meaning star.
Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. 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. The book of esther shows how the hand of god can move in a supernaturallynatural way. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. How to love god with all your heart by keith simons. 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. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. The events in the book of esther occurred from 483.
Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. The purpose of the book of esther is to display the providence of god, especially in regard to his chosen people, israel. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by paton, lewis bayles, 18641932. Interestingly enough, in the new testament no allusions to esther exist gordis 361. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her.
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. But the writer wants us to know that the story is true. The pride of ahasueruss heart rising with the grandeur of his kingdom, he made an extravagant feast. We find in this book that even those jews who were scattered in the provinces of the heathen were taken care of, as well as those who were gathered in the land. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther.
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. 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. 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. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. Esther bible story summary what christians want to know. 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. 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.
Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. At the end of the book, he says that the official records included the story about esther. On the mystical level king achashverosh alludes to gd, the king of the world. And watch god silently weave all events for his glory. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. Here is the story of esther through a summary of each of the 10 chapters. Age of the book a critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. Commentary from the sages the chabad website gives an illuminating selection of comments from different rabbis and jewish sages on the book of esther. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. But the megillahs mandate differs from the torahs in one crucial respect. Book of esther read, study bible verses online bible study tools. We might even think that he does not care about us.
Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. Esther bible study chapter 5 she goes before the king. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The events of the book of esther occurred during the reign of king ahasuerus, xerxes i. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. This commentary explains the things that are clear in the song. Opposition to the book of esther is not a modern phenomenon. Did you know that the book bearing her name in the old testament does. Esther commentary, sermon, illustration esther commentaries. Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. Jan 16, 20 we are on esther chapter 5 of our bible study.
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