Introduction to the book Esther
The 17th Book of the Bible: God’s Protection Throughout History
The Book of Esther tells the story of the planned annihilation of the entire Jewish people—and with it, the eradication of the biblical faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel—throughout the Persian Empire, from Africa to the borders of India.
The story of the book takes place in Susa, the Persian capital, during the reign of King Ahasuerus (also known to us as Xerxes I), who ruled between 485 and 465 B.C.
About 55 years earlier, Cyrus, the first ruler of the Persian Empire, had permitted the Jews to rebuild the Temple, and a first Aliyah (Hebrew for “going up,” meaning a return to Israel) took place under Zerubbabel.
But a great many Israelites had been taken into exile in a wide variety of countries. First by the Assyrians from the Northern Kingdom of Israel around 722 B.C., and about 135 years later again by the Babylonians when they conquered the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
Under Ahasuerus’ successor, Artaxerxes, a second wave of emigration then took place led by Ezra and Nehemiah.
As court officials, with their precise knowledge of Persian etiquette and palace proceedings, they could also be the authors of the Book of Esther.
Because of her disobedience, Queen Vashti is deposed, and the Jewish woman Esther (Persian, meaning “star” in English) becomes queen.
Esther’s foster father, Mordecai, himself an official at the royal court, comes into conflict with Haman, a high-ranking minister, because, as a Jew, he refuses to bow down to him.
This embitters Haman to such an extent that he devises a plan to exterminate the entire Jewish people.
However, through God’s faithfulness and the devotion of Esther and Mordecai, this catastrophe is averted, and instead, on the very day intended for their own destruction, the Jews are even permitted to take revenge on their enemies.
In commemoration of this event, the festival of Purim (“Lot”) is established, which is still celebrated annually in Judaism in the spring, during which the Book of Esther is read aloud.
In the Christian Bible, Esther is the last of the historical books.
In the Jewish Tanakh, it is classified among the Writings (Ketuvim) and is the last of the five (festive) scrolls (Megilloth).
Outline of the Book of Esther:
Chapter 1 – Ahasuerus’s banquet and Queen Vashti’s refusal
Chapter 2 – Esther becomes queen and Mordecai uncovers a plot
Chapter 3 – Haman plans the extermination of the Jewish people
Chapters 4–7 – Esther’s courage, thwarting the genocide of the Jews
Chapters 8–9 – The turn to revenge, the establishment of the Purim festival
Chapter 10 – Mordecai’s elevation to chief minister of the Persian Empire, his esteem among the people
Content of the book of Esther:
Esther chapter 1
Esther chapter 2
Esther chapter 3
Esther chapter 4
Esther chapter 5
Esther chapter 6
Esther chapter 7
Esther chapter 8
Esther chapter 9
Esther chapter 10