The writer of esther clearly intended the book to explain the origin of the celebration of purim, to institutionalize it as a commemoration of the great deliverance of the jews during the persian period see note on esther 9. Megillah with indepth commentaryside by side version. On ordinary occasions she might reasonably set off her charms to as much advantage as. However, sometimes ezra calls them the people of israel. The manner in which these young women were introduced to the king, and how those were disposed of who were not called again to the kings bed, esther 2.
Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. He took esther as the new persian queen, not knowing she was an israelite. For the curious thing about the book of esther is that, although it has all the hallmarks of a romance, with its string of coincidences, its artfully told narrative, and its engaging characterisations, it can at no point be unequivocally faulted on historical grounds which cannot, incidentally, be said in the least of the greek book of esther. The pride of ahasueruss heart rising with the grandeur of his kingdom, he made an extravagant feast. Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide.
The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by paton, lewis bayles, 18641932. Jon levenson capably guides readers through both versions, demonstrating their coherence and their differences. Esther put on her royal apparelit was not only natural, but, on such occasions, highly proper and expedient, that the queen should decorate herself in a style becoming her exalted station. Esther bible study will give you a threepart look at the book of the bible that bears her name, and at its title character. They are living as members of gods family because they respect and obey him. Add to that a flavor of steampunk youve likely never tried before, blend it all up but keep it kosher. Harem politics, antisemitism, and an audacious jewish heroine combine to make this story from the later persian period early 4th cent. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. 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. But the writer wants us to know that the story is true. Esther 2 commentary ellicotts commentary for english readers.
Esther 3 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary on. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third. Esther 3 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible. Esthers uncle, mordecai, appears first as an adoptive father, whose solicitude for esther leads him to the kings gate, where he foils a plot to assassinate the king. But, other independent greek versions also arose and with that came several additions to the book of esther. On the simple level of character, haman and holofernes possess over weening. Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. We might even think that he does not care about us. He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. Judaism is the essence of esther and she has no desire to live under further duress by having to maintain her jewish observance in secret, as wife of achashverosh. Contributor kelly university of toronto language english volume. God gave jacob the name israel when he promised to make jacob s descendants god s special people genesis 32. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. The harem, then as now, a prominent feature in the establishment of an eastern king. It is a simple and easy guide to reading and understanding the bible. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. In addition, according to one opinion esther is already married to mordechai, himself a righteous jew, a prophet and the leader of his generation. At the start of the book, he says when it happened. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Xerxes, the persian king, rejected his wife queen vashti, and fell in love with esther at a beauty contest.
The book of esther is counted as an historical book in our english bibles, but in the jewish scriptures it is among the writings. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in their synagogues to the present day. Upon those additions, and later still with the already biased viewpoint among christians about the book of esther. Esther 5 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary on. Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Esther is the name of a book in the tanakh the hebrew bible and the old testament, and also its title heroine. Nehemiah the jews build jerusalems city wall again. If we had just been sold as slaves, i would have kept quiet, because that would not be enough of a problem to bother the king. The old testament library provides fresh and authoritative treatments. Esther 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Upon those additions, and later still with the already biased viewpoint among christians about the book of esther, it was removed from the christian bible and placed with the apocryphal literature. Yet, though this is true in one sense, there is more to it than that.
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. Commentaries for esther chapter 2 esther chosen queen. Working within a fallen system esther bible commentary produced by tow project 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. Esther 1, new living translation nlt the bible app.
The greek book of esther, included in the septuagint, is a retelling of the events of the hebrew book of esther rather than a translation and. The book was originally written in hebrew, but the ancient greek translation known as the septuagint abbreviated lxx is also a very important witness to the text. The gathering together of a harem for king ahasuerus. The book of esther is a hodgepodge of different genres. See all of our coronavirus resources here toggle navigation. 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. Esther 5 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. We can see how accurately it illustrates what is happening to us when god is at work in the human heart. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p.
There is no special book in the bible about mary, but god has given us this lovely book about ruth. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of nehemiah in easy english. When he learns of the edict against the jews, he encourages esther to confront the king. In 1934 annie became a missionary in china with oms. This informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. The whole history of this book in its connected order, with the occurrences in the persian empire at that time, will be found. The book of esther intrigues positively, too, one reason being its containing rationale for the celebration of the feast of purim, the popularity of which can be accounted for in part by the fact that it constitutes the only worldly holiday in the jewish calendar for the expression of the lighthearted side of life harrison 10951096. And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to esther, what is your petition, queen esther. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing esther as comedy and as diaspora literature. Esthers natural beauty may have been accentuated by the plainness of her attire. After these things king ahasuerus promoted haman, the son of hammedatha the agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. She was a jewess named hadassah the myrtle, but when she entered the royal harem she received the name by which she henceforth became known.
Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. Esther 5 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible. At the end of the book, he says that the official records included the story about esther. In other languages, the heart may be the emotional arena of the soul, and, in still others, heart may refer to the emotional part of the soul in reference to love. It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast of purim. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. The beautiful esther, who also has the hebrew name hadassah which means myrtle esther 2. This little gem, tucked away in an obscure corner of the old testament, is a very rich book, and it is historical. Working within a fallen system esther bible commentary. Read esther 8 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete.
It took place in the days of israels captivity when. Esther 8 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the kings command and his decree to be executed. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. The original text of the megillah book of esther with a running commentary culled from the talmud and midrash, the great torah commentators and the chassidic masters. Today we begin our study of the book of esther, in earnest. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. Esther 9 commentary ellicotts commentary for english readers.
Mordecai cried bitterly, rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth, v. Anyone who grew up in conservative american christianity learned in sunday school that the old testament book of esther was a romantic story of the lovely, orphan church girl who marries the powerful, rich ruler and sways him, by her virtue and purity, to do the right thing for gods people, setting an example for all good church girls. The translation is into very plain and accessible english. Apr 21, 2020 the original text of the megillah book of esther with a running commentary culled from the talmud and midrash, the great torah commentators and the chassidic masters.
Verses 14 here we have an account of the general sorrow that there was among the jews upon the publishing of hamans bloody edict against them. Esther ebd the queen of ahasuerus, and heroine of the book that bears her name. Concerning ahasuerus in the throne, what a mighty prince he was v. The book of judiths canonical history is also complicated, even though. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. 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. Esther 10 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The seventeenth book of the ot in the traditional english order. In these three verses we have only some short hints, i. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. Most of the families who returned from exile were originally from judah. Study the bible online using commentary on esther 8 and more. The book of esther is renowned for its literary artistry, which functions as the principal vehicle for the books.
This new english translation of the bible, old and revised new testaments, was. This little gem, tucked away in an obscure corner of the old testament is a very rich book. He that will lose his life for god, shall save it, or find it in a better life. Ntroduction i the main plot of esther begins in chapter 3, with the description of hamans decree and the developments that follow.
The book of esther has been preserved in ancient texts that diverge greatly from each other. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ. The book ends with mordecai as the kings chief minister. Overview of the book of esther third millennium ministries.
Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. Esther pleases the king, and is set above all the women. The following are five of the most helpful commentaries on. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. The bible does not mention the book of esther anywhere else. His recommendations would be honored and implemented.
The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. He not only thus vented his grief, but proclaimed it, that all might take notice of. Still the book hardly seems a natural hebrew way of referring to a work on the part of its author as he writes it, and no similar case is adducible. The book of esther is unusual gods name is not mentioned once, yet gods hand is. Megillat esther with commentary from the talmud, midrash, classic rabbinic.
The book of esther page 2languages the literal, physical heart in literature is a reference to the thinking portion of a persons soul. The book of esther is about a jewish girl adopted by her uncle, mordecai, after her parents died. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. The book of esther opens with the account of the feast given by king ahasuerus at the end of the 180 days during which he had entertained the lords and princes of the kingdom at his palace in the city of shushan. So the king and haman went to dine with queen esther. 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. The vulgate explains it of the book of esther itself, and so many modern scholars. Book of esther simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. 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. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther.
We see to what absurd practices those came, who were destitute of divine revelation, and what need there was of the gospel of christ, to purify men from the lusts of the flesh, and to bring them back to the original institution of marriage. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in.
During world war ii she spent 21 months in a japanese concentration camp as a prisoner. This was the unseen hand of god, which is active throughout the account. After these things, when the wrath of king ahasuerus subsided, he remembered vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old.
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