Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. Bob is a pastorteacher and elder at community bible chapel in richardson, texas, and has contributed many of his bible study series for use by the foundation. Esther 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. This section of the catholic bible contains the complete content of the book of esther with numbers, chapters and text of individual verses from the douay rheims version of the catholic bible. In the hebrew bible the book of esther is placed in the third main part, that is the writings hebr. Mordecai, the cousin of esther, is a jewish official in the royal court of persia at shushan 2. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. Weve created a 10day study guide for you, each day working through a chapter of the exciting story of esther. Esther commentary, sermon, illustration esther commentaries. We saw in the last study that queen esther had, after some initial resistance, obeyed mordecai and made the decision to go to the king without being summoned. The sleepless king and the providence of god by i gordon. 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. Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 5.
Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Esther presents her petition to the king for her life and the life of her people, esther 7. It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast of purim. Since the text and audio content provided by blb represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not. Jobes volume is best for those seeking a biblicaltheological commentary on the book of esther. Although no meaning is attached to his name in strongs concordance due to its nonhebrew origin, willmingtons complete guide to bible knowledge states it means dedicated to mars. You can work through this bible study on your own or with your small group, and you can go through this in ten days, or over a tenweek or semester long schedule. Read and study esther, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. We saw in the last study that everything is reaching an exciting climax and before the day is out.
The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. The book of esther does not specifically name its author. Esther 1 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. Esther bible study chapter 5 prayer and the power of the. Esther is the last of the historical books of the bible, so its main character is. The author of the book is unknown and modern scholars have established that the final stage of the hebrew text would have been formed by the second century bce. Most likely, the book of esther doesnt have the name of god because it shows how god works behind the scenes. God is always active in esther, even though it is behind the scenes. Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. The main purpose of a summary is as a simplification highlighting the major points from the original and much longer version of the subject. 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 author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Book of esther overview insight for living ministries. The book of esther was likely written between 460 and 350 b. This is why many presume that the book was written in the second half of the fifth century bc. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. 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.
Commentary on the book of esther matthew henrys bible commentary. With scripture memory, daily study, and group discussion questions, this resource is ideal for both individual and group study. Jan 01, 2001 this informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. And king ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. The book of esther 6 powerful life lessons from the bible. It includes essays entitled when and where was the book of esther written. Commentary on esther 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of esther chapter 1. This is illustrated in the turn of events of the story of esther. 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.
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. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. Esther the book of esther easyenglish bible god is in control esther a commentary by robert bryce. Queen vashti deposed this is what happened during the time of xerxes, the xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from india to cush. There is hardly a book in the bible, upon the trustworthiness of which there has been made so determined an attack, as the book of esther. The book belongs to the socalled five scrolls hebr. After these things, when the wrath of king ahasuerus subsided, he remembered vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. Listen to this description in the five megilloth, a jewish commentary published by the soncino press. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. At that time king xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of susa, and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his. The book of esther tells a story of the deliverance of the jewish people.
His eyes behold, his eyelids test the children of men. Engage the challenging books of ruth and esther utilizing the dynamic. The gathering together of a harem for king ahasuerus. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. 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. Study esther using john gills exposition of the bible to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The commentary, which accompanies the hebrew biblical text and the jps translation, approaches the book of esther from a fresh literary pointofview. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english.
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. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history. Best esther commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. Outside of the book of esther there is never any mention of esther or hadassah, esther 2. The events mentioned in esther therefore happened between ezra chapter 6 and chapter 7. Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of media and persia. 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. The close of the last study in esther chapter 6 saw the events drawing to a dramatic conclusion. The key personalities are esther, mordecai, king ahasuerus or xerxes, and haman. The book of esther provides many biblical lessons that can be applied towards life today. Esther overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary was written by frederick brotherton meyer, a contemporary and friend of d. T he story of esther reads like a novel and is full of great spiritual lessons. Best commentaries and books on esther logos bible software. This is my favorite commentary on any book of holy scripture.
Ahasuerus makes royal feasts for his nobles and people, esther 1. Free, online access to study passages and verses contained in the chapters and verses of the book of esther for bible study or sunday school lessons. Bible study from the book of esther looking at the providence and workings of god in the book of esther chapter 6. Esther bible study chapter 6 the sleepless king and the. Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. This informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. 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. 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.
In the book of esther, what is not said is vitally important. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. The name of god does not once occur, but in no other book of the bible is his providence more conspicuous. All of these teachings are powerful and depict true courage and devotion. 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. Study guide on the book of esther, on line bible commentary for book of esther, niv commentary esther, free esther commentary, best commentaries on esther.
Esther dwelt on his contemplated atrocity, in a variety of expressions, which both evinced the depth of her own emotions, and were. We are shown a persian emperor, ahasuerus loosely based on xerxes, 485464 b. Did you know that the book bearing her name in the old testament does. The book was written no earlier than 470 bc and probably no later than 424 bc, during the reign of xerxes son artaxerxes. Esther free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. It is one of the five scrolls megillot in the hebrew bible. Book introduction esther the significance of the book of esther is that it testifies to the secret watch care of jehovah over dispersed israel.
David guzik commentary on esther 1, where queen vashti refuses to display her. Esther chapter 7 verse by verse bible commentary matthew. Esther 1 is the first chapter of the book of esther in the hebrew bible or the old testament of the christian bible. Adam clarke commentary on esther 17601832 clarke was methodist, wesleyan, arminian, e.
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. She plainly tells the king that haman is the man who designed her ruin and the ruin of all her friends, esther 7. It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. Esther overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible. We have detailed a brief summary of the book of esther for bible study or sunday school lessons. We might even think that he does not care about us. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Bible studies in the book of esther esther chapter 6. We are now to attend the second banquet to which the king and haman were invited. Did you know that esther is mentioned more times in the bible than any other woman.
Neither mordecai, esther, nor the feast of purim is mentioned. Frederic bush, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 1996, 528 pp. Woven into gods plans are the most minute details of human history. Studying the book of esther is well worth your time. Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing esther as comedy and as diaspora literature. Esther is the only book in the bible not to mention the name of god. The book of esther is never quoted in the new testament, and esther is not in a genealogy or even a casual reference. Esther chapter 2 verse by verse bible commentary matthew. The book of esther begins with queen vashti being publically disrespectful to her husband, causing king xerxes to remove her as queen. 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.