He and the rest of the jews lament their fatewhen mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. Jon levenson capably guides readers through both versions, demonstrating their coherence and their differences. 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. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. In the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. In esther, god providentially uses two exiled israelites to. This little gem, tucked away in an obscure corner of the old testament, is a very rich book, and it is historical.
God is always active in esther, even though it is behind the scenes. 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. 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. The book of esther has been preserved in ancient texts that diverge greatly from each other. As with most of the ot writings the author of the book of esther esther meaning star is not mentioned. But the megillahs mandate differs from the torahs in one crucial respect. Jobes volume is best for those seeking a biblicaltheological commentary on the book of esther. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The introductory essay provides a good overview of the book of esther a summary of the plot, an analysis of the books structure and themes, and a discussion of the historicity and origins of the various. 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. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Commentary for esther 1 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.
The book of esther does not specifically name its author. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on. 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. At the end of the book, he says that the official records included the story about esther. The thing that makes the book of esther so fascinating is this is our story.
Number 1 rated commentary esther an introduction and commentary tyndale old testament commentaries joyce g. Adele berlins commentary in the jps series is better suited for a critical look at the hebrew text. Although there are unfortunately those today who suggest that some of the stories in the old testament are legends, there is substantial evidence that the events of esther actually occurred. Most likely, the book of esther doesnt have the name of god because it shows how god works behind the scenes.
The book of esther was likely written between 460 and 350 b. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. The book of esther is unusual gods name is not mentioned once, yet gods hand is. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software.
In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. Read esther 1 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete.
The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in their synagogues to the present day. 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. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. Chapter 16 rebuilding of the temple chapter 710 return of ezra and purifying the people from foreign wives summary of events by chapter. The unknown author of the book of esther was most likely a jew very familiar with the royal persian court. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Esther 1 niv queen vashti deposed this is what bible. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Ahasuerus makes royal feasts for his nobles and people, esther 1. The detailed descriptions of court life and traditions. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. 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 gathering together of a harem for king ahasuerus. It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast of purim. The jews, indeed, ascribe the whole of this book to ezra, and their opinion is adopted by most christian commentators. Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This little gem, tucked away in an obscure corner of the old testament is a very rich book. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. The feast was for all the important men who had authority in the kingdom. We can see how accurately it illustrates what is happening to us when god is at work in the human heart.
Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ. 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. Levensons book consists of two parts an introductory essay of 35 pages, followed by a linebyline commentary on the text of esther. Engage the challenging books of ruth and esther utilizing the dynamic expertise. 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 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. 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. The purpose of the book of esther is to display the providence of god, especially in regard to his chosen people, israel. Esther commentary, sermon, illustration, devotional. The events in the book of esther occurred from 483.
Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls. The jewish historian josephus names mordecai as author of the book. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use.
The most popular traditions are mordecai a major character in the book of esther, ezra, and nehemiah who would have been familiar with persian customs. The book of esther in hebrew is secular in nature, in that the name of god, the temple, and prayer are not mentioned. Chapter 16 rebuilding of the temple chapter 710 return of ezra and purifying the people from. Read and study esther, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. The old testament library provides fresh and authoritative. Sadly, many who read and study esther including bible scholars who write commentaries on the book fill in the blanks, rather than leaving them blank and learning from the silence of the author. We might even think that he does not care about us. At the start of the book, he says when it happened. The pride of ahasueruss heart rising with the grandeur of his kingdom, he made an extravagant feast. This is my favorite commentary on any book of holy scripture.
This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of persia and renamed esther, meaning star. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. Frederic bush, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 1996, 528 pp. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. God will keep those that are exposed to evil by the tenderness of their consciences. But the writer wants us to know that the story is true. Frederic bush ruthesther word biblical commentary, 1996. 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 tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people. It relates the story of a hebrew woman in persia, born as hadassah but known as esther, who becomes queen of.
The story of esther reads like a movie plot, with a beautiful queen risking her life to prevent genocide. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. Although a bit too technical for most readers, it will be of benefit to seminary students and others doing indepth study of the text. Adam clarke commentary on esther 17601832 clarke was methodist, wesleyan, arminian, e. 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. Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. 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. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. It is careful not to say that god commanded the observance of purim. What spiritual lessons can we learn from this book. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press.
Baldwin rosscup is a bit less enamored with karen jobes commentary writing jobes will not be clear to some in her view that a biblical book can have legitimate errors in historical matters for the sake of poetic license, without. Esther 1 new international version niv queen vashti deposed. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1. 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. After these things, when the wrath of king ahasuerus subsided, he remembered vashti. Top 5 commentaries on the book of esther ligonier ministries. Esther commentary scroll down to page 273 for 3 page commentary on esther includes maps seems to be well done alexander d davidson lectures, expository and practical on the book of esther 1859. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god.
Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. The book of esther records the institution of the feast of purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. Best esther commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries.
David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. The introductory essay provides a good overview of the book of esther a summary of the plot, an analysis of the book s structure and themes, and a discussion of the historicity and origins of the various. The book of esther serves as the authorizing document for purim, a holiday that is not mentioned in the torah. We find in this book that even those jews who were scattered in the provinces of the heathen were taken care of. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third section ketuvim, writings of the jewish tanakh the hebrew bible and in the christian old testament. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. The following are five of the most helpful commentaries on. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her.