Yet commentary on the book of esther in bible

Have you ever wondered if god is really involved in the circumstances of your life. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six chapter seven s. The book of esther is one of only two books in the bible named for women. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Best esther commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. Yet i myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days. Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. Yet the chaldee paraphrase says that the vessels of the sanctuary were used in this feast, to the great grief of the pious jews. There is not even a divine title or pronoun that refers to god.

The only other one who knew her secret was her fathers nephew the one who raised her when she was orphaned. Because of these perplexing realities, scholars for centuries have questioned the inspiration of the book of esther. The book of esther may not directly mention god, yet it clearly reveals god at work. Adam clarke commentary on esther 17601832 clarke was methodist, wesleyan, arminian, e. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her beauty at king ahasuerus feast, and is therefore banished.

Its main concern, the very reason for its existence, is to establish purim as a jewish holiday for all generations. 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. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. But for the kings servants, this made no sense at all. For this reason, if for no other, esther should be considered a religious book. During world war ii she spent 21 months in a japanese concentration camp as a prisoner. The events mentioned in esther therefore happened between ezra chapter 6 and chapter 7.

The servants of the king suggested that officials should search all the kingdom for suitable young girls. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. 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. In the story of esther, youll meet a beautiful, young queen who risked her life to serve god and save her people. In esther, god providentially uses two exiled israelites to rescue his. He commanded them to bring queen vashti to him wearing her royal crown. The book was written no earlier than 470 bc and probably no later than 424 bc, during the reign of xerxes son artaxerxes.

His name is not written in the book, but his fingerprints, as we say, are all over it. The book of esther the book of esther describes the jewish heroine esther, who saved the jewish people in persia from annihilation during the reign of king xerxes i. Esther 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. May 17, 2008 in the book of jonah, he used a storm to convince the fleeing prophet, jonah 1. Study esther 1 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. She charmed king xerxes so much that after deposing his prior queen, he could have chosen any woman he wantedbut he chose esther.

Designed for both jewish and nonjewish readers alike, the israel bible offers a unique commentary that seeks to explain gods focus on the land of israel alongside the original hebrew text, transliteration of select hebrew verses, and the new jewish publication society translation. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. In the book of esther god used mordecai an ungodly man to rebuke esther into obedience. The book of esther is one of the more controversial books of the old testament. Even though the name of god is not mentioned in it, no book of the bible. Although the book of esther was questioned by some early christians, even st. Esther bible story summary what christians want to know. Enter for a chance to win this niv cultural backgrounds study bible. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible.

Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. Ahasuerus, in the original akhashverosh, corresponds to khshayarsha the persian name from which the greeks formed their xerxes almost as closely as possible. The book of esther chapter 1 several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. A 10day bible study on the book of esther by ibelieve contributors. Jerome, the whole book, including the greek additions, was included in the canon of scripture by the council of trent. Esther bible study will give you a threepart look at the book of the bible that bears her name, and at its title character. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy. Yet the book of esthers real story is not found in political intrigue or superior. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. He gave a command to the seven eunuchs who served him. 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 book of esther is one of the most beautiful stories in all literature.

Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The next step is to enter your payment information. How esther came to be queen and mordecai to be great at. Esther is described in the book of esther as a jewish queen of the persian king ahasuerus commonly identified as xerxes i, reigned 486465 bce. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1.

Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. 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. 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. 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.

To do this she probably had to eat, drink, and act according to the customs of the unbelievers around her. In fact, god is not directly mentioned by name in the book of esther. Yet esther, of all the biblical books outside of the torah, is the only one that addresses the origin of a new festival. The greek septuagint remedied this situation by adding six passages which include the name of god. He may not always do it in the way we think he should, but the book of esther shows that he is in control even when we dont see him. After these things, when the wrath of king ahasuerus subsided, he remembered vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. In the narrative, ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, vashti, refuses to obey him, and esther is chosen for her beauty. This was an evidence of a humble and grateful disposition, that she had a sense of his former kindnesses and his continued wisdom. The book takes its name from the beautiful, orphaned jewess who became the queen of the persian king ahasuerus. Study guide for esther 4 by david guzik blue letter bible. The book of esther is the only one not found in the dead sea scrolls.

It contains all your classic storybook ingredients. The book of esther is unusual gods name is not mentioned once, yet gods hand is clearly present and active throughout the book, to the extent that many see the book of esther as a veritable treatise on the doctrine of divine providence see separate study. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. The eunuchs were mehuman, biztha, harbona, bigtha, abagtha, zethar, and carcas. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Whether he had this place before, or whether esther obtained it for him, we are not told.

Frederic bush, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 1996, 528 pp. Discover purims exciting origins in the book of esther. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Prayer is not mentionedit wouldnt be, since god is omitted. The temple had been rebuilt some 30 years before, although more simply. Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide. Did you know that esther is mentioned more times in the bible than any other woman. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history.

Sadly, many who read and study esther including bible scholars who write commentaries on the book fill in the. For years, esther had hidden the fact that she was a jew. Its main concern, the very reason for its existence, is to establish purim as a. Esther chapter 2 verse by verse bible commentary matthew. The only unnecessary change was the substitution of v for y vau for yod in the penultimate syllable but this interchange is very common in hebr. The prayers of esther and mordecai are especially noteworthy. Yet, though this is true in one sense, there is more to it than that. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. This is why many presume that the book was written in the second half of the fifth century bc. Esther a2 classic bible study guide 2 introduction the book of esther is a graphic narrative, which relates how gods people were preserved from ruin during the fifth century b. Did you know that the book bearing her name in the old testament does.

An introduction to the book of esther an argument of the book of esther selected bibliography of the book of esther j. Yet, the books theological message is powerful and shines through the daily faithfulness of esther as she faithfully obeys the god of israel and saves her people. The additions to esther are an excellent example of a process that occurs throughout the bible. Niv application commentary nivac 9780310206729 by karen h. Still, she became one of the most beloved queens and women of the bible. The prosthelic a was a necessity of hebrew articulation. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is. It has been often remarked that the name of god is not found in the book of esther. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. Though some christians have hesitated to receive the book of esther into the sacred canon.

Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Yet there are more manuscripts of the book of esther than any other old testament book. Without ever mentioning god directly, the hand of god is all over the story of esther, displaying the providence and. This is the only book in the bible without an explicit mention of god or even a mention of the law and worship. After giving a copy of the decree to esther through a courier, mordecai challenged her to intercede on behalf of her people before the king.

Fulfilling lifes mission introduction why read this book. In the present translation, the greek additions are indicated by the. David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her beauty. Jerome, the whole book, including the greek additions, was included in the canon of scripture by the. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The gathering together of a harem for king ahasuerus. It was not like herods feast, which reserved a prophets head for the last dish. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of. The book of esther describes the jewish heroine esther and is the source of the festival purim. In the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important.

Yet esther met with the approval of all who saw her. It is the sovereign unfailing care of god, come what will, and shews the place which this people hold in his mind. The book of esther in one sense is the most remarkable in the bible, and that is because the name of god is not mentioned in this book at all. Tom constables expository notes on esther this is also available in the net. Yet, as we will see later in the book of esther, she managed to keep her faith in god alive. Esther, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in. The israel bible is the worlds first tanakh bible centered around the land of israel, the people of israel, and the dynamic relationship between them. Another biblical theme in the book of esther is divine providence follows people god that use to serve his purposes, jonah 1.

Designed for both jewish and nonjewish readers alike, the israel bible offers a unique commentary that seeks to explain gods focus on the land of israel alongside the original hebrew text, transliteration of select hebrew verses, and the. Christian women faith articles, encouragement, growth. Some have suggested mordecai himself was the author, though the accolades for him. Her name was hadassah, but you might know her by the name of esther, the one for whom the book in the bible.

Commentary on esther 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. In 1934 annie became a missionary in china with oms. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. Your credit card wont be charged until the trial period is over.

Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The coincidences, the amazing reversals, and the poetic justice that led to the deliverance of the jews in persia all proclaim the presence of god. Without ever mentioning god directly, the hand of god is all over the story of esther, displaying the providence and faithfulness of god even in the face of eradication. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. This, when well weighed, gives this book a very touching and instructive character. 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. It offers hope for israels future and is the most widely read book of the bible among jews today. The pride of ahasueruss heart rising with the grandeur of his kingdom, he made an extravagant feast.

We might even think that he does not care about us. That he might show it to esther and explain it to her. The story gives us six powerful lessons about courage. 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. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away.