History
The book of Esther
A Jewish queen in Persia, Esther, and her cousin Mordecai save their people from Haman’s plot; the origin of Purim.
Esther was written in Persia after the events, and it explains the feast of Purim, which the Jews still keep. It never names God, yet his care for his people shows on every page. It is an eyewitness-style account with detailed knowledge of the Persian court.
Kinds of writing
- Narrative 100%
Key verses
For such a time as this. For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14 (World English Bible)
Sorrow turned to gladness: Purim. as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy.
Esther 9:22 (World English Bible)
People
AhasuerusVashtiEstherMordecaiHaman
Places
On the timeline
Esther becomes queen of PersiaHaman's plot defeated; the first Purim
Dating notes
Ussher identifies the king, Ahasuerus, with Darius I (events 514–510 BC); most scholars say Xerxes I (about 483–473 BC). The writing date follows from that. The span is an estimate; Scripture doesn’t say when the book was written.