The book of esther is designed to show gods providential care of his people. 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 book of esther shows us that god is present even when he seems distant. The book of esther is one of those few portions here and there of the word of god which are remarkable for the absence of his name. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Palestine, under the divine care, that the book appealed to the hearts of the jewish race generally, and claimed a place in the national collection of sacred writings. In the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the kings palace any more than all the other jews.
Esther s name means i will be hidden, just as her identity was obscure even after becoming the wife of ahasuerus. But while the characters might resemble a fairy tale, the book of esther depicts actual events that shaped jewish history and instituted the festival of purim. Frederic bush, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 1996, 528 pp. The unknown author of the book of esther was most likely a jew very familiar with the royal persian court. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. Mordecai is brought into prominence at the right time 6.
The following are five of the most helpful commentaries on this book of scripture. Esther tyndale old testament commentaries book kindle edition by reid, debra. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history.
Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israel. Though the name of god is not mentioned, the hand of god, ruling. We have provided this method as a convenience to our users. The book of esther reflects this idea, by referring to vashti as queen vashti 1. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ. A queen under control when esthers words were reported to mordecai, he sent back this answer. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading esther tyndale old testament commentaries book. 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. A fine short commentary that covers the historicity, literary style and various versions of the book of esther. By dr peter pett queen vashti offends king ahasuerus xerxes esther, the ward of mordecai, chosen as queen haman purposes to destroy the jews and casts pur haman impaled and replaced by mordecai the jew the establishment of purim. 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. Esther commentary, sermon, illustration esther commentaries.
In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. A list of the best commentaries on esther ranked by scholars. Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness, than this banquet of wine, with all the noise and tumult that must have attended it. God is always active in esther, even though it is behind the scenes. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software.
Megillat esther, the book of esther in the form that we have it in the hebrew bible, provides the story of the origin of purim, the blueprint for its celebration, and the authorization for its observance in perpetuity. This page provides a method to go directly to a commentary by a specific author. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. Engage the challenging books of ruth and esther utilizing the dynamic. Karen jobes esther niv application commentary, 1999. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her. 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. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. We might even think that he does not care about us. The events in the book of esther occurred from 483.
Mordecai, who was finally exalted as ruler in persia, is at least a faint type of christ when eventually exalted among the nations. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. It relates the story of a hebrew woman in persia, born as hadassah but known as esther, who becomes queen of persia and thwarts a genocide. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p.
But at reids chapter 8 this problem is exacerbated as it covers esther 6. Esther 10 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Sleep is taken from ahasuerus at precisely the right time 6. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. 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. Top 5 commentaries on the book of ruth ligonier ministries. We find in this book that even those jews who were scattered in the provinces of the heathen were taken care of. Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. Commentary on esther 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. Best esther commentaries updated for 2020 best bible.
Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. This unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant was crowned queen of persia and renamed esther, meaning star. As queen, esther hides her religious identity and maintains her jewish practices keeping kosher and observing the laws of shabbat and family purity in secret. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Top 5 commentaries on the book of esther ligonier ministries. Karen jobes has written the most engaging, interesting, and helpful commentary on the book of esther presently available. This paper examines the book of esther, deriving important insights about a variety of approaches to leadership that can be applied to todays crisis in leadership.
Character and ideology in the book of esther, 1991, technical special study jewish. However, an official named haman plots to kill the jews throughout the empire. Esther tyndale old testament commentaries book kindle. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible. In the course of the story, esthera jew living during the time of the exilebecomes the queen of persia. It is a dramanot of fiction, however, but of genuine fact. Esther 10 commentary james burton coffman commentaries. The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign.
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. Read and study esther, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. The detailed descriptions of court life and traditions. However, we do not feel this is the best method for using the blue letter bible. Esther said, i myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days meaning she had not seen her husband for an entire month. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. Esther by joyce baldwin 9780877842620 best commentaries.
The book of esther may remind you of a classic, once upon a time childrens story with a wealthy king, his beautiful queen, and an evil villain. Esther and mordecai, her cousin, expose the attempted genocide. Esther 2 chapter 1 several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. As with most of the tyndale commentary series, the introduction is. The book of esther bible topics, commentaries, addresses. Queen esther came to the throne for just such a time 4. 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 book of esther does not mention the name of god.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in. The blue letter bible ministry and the blb institute hold to the historical, conservative christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of scripture. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Esther 10 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. 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. Though the name of god is not mentioned, the hand of god, ruling and overruling the events for the preservation of his people, can be seen. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god.
Christ in the historical books esther the book of esther is designed to show gods providential care of his people. As with most of the tyndale commentary series, the introduction is both easy to understand and informative. Most likely, the book of esther doesnt have the name of god because it shows how god works behind the scenes. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr.