The pulpit commentary introduces the book of esther with the following. Esther 1 adam clarke commentary bible commentaries. She is, of course, a woman who lived in old testament times and there is a book of the bible named after her. The book of esther provides this choice opportunity to search for evidences of the hand of god in everyday life. Book of esther a free daily devotional bible study. 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. Top 5 commentaries on the book of esther ligonier ministries. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1.
On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the. The book of esther bible study butterflies in my tea. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Characteristics of esther in the bible kingdom bloggers. I highly recommend working esther into your devotional life. Reading esther reminds us that even when it seems like god is absent, he is still at work in. So your question about whether or not it belongs there is an ancient one. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. It is included among the historical books in protestant bibles but, in the hebrew bible, esther is included in the ketuvim, the writings, which include poetic and wisdom literature.
Smith professor in biblical studies at the university of maryland. 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. Adele berlin, jps bible commentary jpstc, jewish publication society, 2001, 110 pp. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Feb 25, 2020 the book of esther is a wellwritten, cleverly constructed piece of literature. The book was written no earlier than 470 bc and probably no later than 424 bc, during the reign of xerxes son artaxerxes. Esther, millais 1865 ahasuerus, all powerful king of persia, banishes his queen vashti for failing to appear before him when bidden. You can read many ebooks you needed like esther bible commentary from john. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. They are a people for whom god has a particular purpose and who have been given special promises. Esther is described in all versions of the book of esther as the jewish queen of a persian king. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned elsewhere in scripture.
This informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing esther as comedy and as diaspora literature. The book of esther and christian education eastern. This bible study brings the historical narrative of esther into conversation. Esther bible study strength to stand in times of uncertainty. This is the first release of brownbacks flourish bible study series. Esther questions and answers all chapters new king james. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. The seventeenth book of the ot in the traditional english order. It could be that you were made queen for a time like this. The events that the first chapter of the book of esther describeshappened about 483 bc before christ. Over 100 years earlier, nebuchadnezzarthe king of babylon had attacked jerusalem. You might have heard her name in a sunday school lesson, a sermon, or in a bible study.
The book of esther shows how life took an unexpected turn for esther and her people. What if there was a podcast that used pop culture literacy to enhance your biblical literacy. It gives us a glimpse of the jews who remained outside their homeland after the exile, particularly the jews living in the persian empire. Harem politics, antisemitism, and an audacious jewish heroine combine to make this story from the later persian period early 4th cent. Introduction to the book the book of esther is the only book in the bible that does not mention the name of god. 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. The invisible hand of god is at work in and through you. In the last study we were introduced to a rather unlovely character by the name of haman. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. 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 brazos theological commentary series is a welcome concept. You are welcome to download any of the complete book studies listed.
Through the stories of these two women in the book of esther. Brazos theological commentary on the bible 29 books. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. I dont think i have maligned this mans name for, as we saw in chapter 3 and in the coming chapters he does a very good job of. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. He overcame the jews and he tookmany jews to babylon. 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. Concerns with the book of esther massachusetts bible society. Esther 9 albert barnes notes on the whole bible bible. Gods choice of israel as his treasured possession guaranteed that hamans intent to exterminate the jewish people would fail deut. Chapter 2 two things are recorded in this chapter, which were working towards the deliverance of the jews from hamans conspiracy. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software.
As a womens ministry leader, i am excited about the development of the flourish bible study series that will not only prayerfully equip women to increase in biblical literacy but also come alongside them to build. The king might want to give a welcome to a visitor although he had not invited. 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. Like many of the other old testament books, esther was written by an anonymous author. Discover purims exciting origins in the book of esther. The book of esther commentary by robert jamieson chapter 1 es 1. Each week covers approximately one chapter of esther. Public calamities, that oppress the church of god, should affect our hearts more than any private affliction, and it is peculiarly distressing to occasion sufferings to others. Reading esther reminds us that even when it seems like god is absent, he is still at work in our lives and will not abandon his promises. Well, i can now tell you that i have found you the particularly nasty villain you have been desperate for. This book takes place when persia replaced babylon as the ruling power after the babylonian exile. Esther is a 6session bible study for small groups or individuals that tells the story of esther, a woman who was used of god to stand against unholy people to preserve the jewish people along with their culture and tradition. The book of esther has proved to be one of the most popular of the ot books.
We welcome the presence of your holy spirit to lead and guide us in all areas of life. Esther 9, albert barnes notes on the whole bible, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary by albert barnes, a dedicated student of the bible. The book of esther relates an episode in jewish history of intense interestto the entire nation at the time, since it involved the question of its continuance or destruction, but an episode which stood quite sep distinct from the arate and. The dead sea scrolls contain fragments of each old testament book, with the exception of esther. Mar 24, 2020 bible study the book of esther arnold hampton march 24, 2020 the story of esther should give us hope and faith when we find ourselves individually and collectively in crisis. Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. The book of esther takes place towards the end of the captivity of judah. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. The book of esther is one of the most problematic members of the biblical canon.
He elevated her to the dignity of chief wife, or queen. This commentary approaches the book of esther from a fresh literary point of view. Commentary on esther 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. The other competitors had apartments assigned them in the royal harem, and were retained in the rank of secondary wives, of whom oriental princes have a great number. Do you looking for free download commentary on the book of judges bible study. Almost 70 years after that, the king of persia defeatedthe armies of babylon in battle.
Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Esther then is the one book in the bible where we must, through the illuminating power of the holy spirit, interpret the events primarily as an observer of life. Matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. And just so, they remind us how beautiful are the books of esther and daniel. Although his name is never mentioned, we see his providence in each page of this wonderful little book. I always appreciate it when there is clear consensus on the best commentary on any given book of the bible. She was taken to the king of the persian empire to become a part of. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. Story of esther in the bible as scripture reveals, esther is a jewish woman living in persia and reared by her cousin mordecai. However, an official named haman plots to kill the jews throughout the empire.
The fact that esther does not mention god at all the only book of the bible where this is the case is one of the reasons it had a hard time making it into the canon. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. A classic story of good versus evil, the book of esther is a unique account in the bible. The hidden hand of god is a wellwritten, thoughtprovoking study of the book of esther. Not only is esther thrown into a life unlike her own up to that point, but she and her people are also suddenly given reason to fear for their lives. Esther and mordecai, her cousin, expose the attempted genocide. The book of esther shows us that god is present even when he seems distant. It includes essays entitled when and where was the book of esther written.
She is famous for many reasons and we will look at the characteristics of esther in the bible that make her story an enduring and important one. The canonicity of the book was questioned by some in ancient judaism and early christianity. It is excellent and free to download and also a commentary that is excellent too. A scholar of biblical and ancient near eastern literature, berlin has written six books, including three commentaries on zephaniah, esther. The hidden hand of god provides a visually engaging study with accessible content to help women understand the content of the book of esther in the context of the whole counsel of scripture. We are releasing 4 episodes total on the book of esther. Best esther commentaries updated for 2021 best bible. This 10week study takes a deep look into the book of esther. When i wrote my study on the book of ruth 1, i started by saying that it was a fantastic book that had it all well, apart from a nasty villain, but we cant ask for everything. The beautiful esther, who also has the hebrew name hadassah which means myrtle esther 2. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her beauty at king ahasuerus feast, and is therefore banished. Welcome to the 1st videoedition of the spoken gospel podcast.
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