Biased commentary on the book of esther in easy english

It is a simple and easy guide to reading and understanding the bible. Naturally, being a rather unstable fellow, ahasuerus firesslashdivorces her. At the end of the book, he says that the official records included the story about esther. We can see how accurately it illustrates what is happening to us when god is at work in the human heart. 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.

Harem politics, antisemitism, and an audacious jewish heroine combine to make this story from the later persian period early 4th cent. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in. 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 2 commentary ellicotts commentary for english readers. The gathering together of a harem for king ahasuerus. Jon levenson capably guides readers through both versions, demonstrating their coherence and their differences. Overview of the book of esther third millennium ministries. Megillah with indepth commentaryside by side version. The seventeenth book of the ot in the traditional english order. We might even think that he does not care about us.

Esther 5 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary on. Mordecai cried bitterly, rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth, v. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. This little gem, tucked away in an obscure corner of the old testament, is a very rich book, and it is historical. The translation is into very plain and accessible english. 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. 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. He took esther as the new persian queen, not knowing she was an israelite. 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.

Nehemiah the jews build jerusalems city wall again. 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 free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. 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. This was the unseen hand of god, which is active throughout the account. The harem, then as now, a prominent feature in the establishment of an eastern king. So the king and haman went to dine with queen esther. Esther with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book of esther has been preserved in ancient texts that diverge greatly from each other. The book of esther is a hodgepodge of different genres. Esther bible study will give you a threepart look at the book of the bible that bears her name, and at its title character. The old testament library provides fresh and authoritative treatments. The thing that makes the book of esther so fascinating is this is our story.

And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to esther, what is your petition, queen esther. The book ends with mordecai as the kings chief minister. This little gem, tucked away in an obscure corner of the old testament is a very rich book. Add to that a flavor of steampunk youve likely never tried before, blend it all up but keep it kosher. The writer of the book of esther probably wanted his readers to realise that god is always in control. Upon those additions, and later still with the already biased viewpoint among christians about the book of esther.

Vashti is sent for by the king, but refuses to come, esther 1. Esther had a certain presence which attracted people cf. Esthers natural beauty may have been accentuated by the plainness of her attire. During world war ii she spent 21 months in a japanese concentration camp as a prisoner. 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. 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.

Several things in this chapter itself are very instructive and of great use. Commentary on the book of esther by matthew henry old. It took place in the days of israels captivity when. Esther 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The book of esther begins with the queen of king ahasuerusvashtisnubbing the kings request to meet with her. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch.

But, other independent greek versions also arose and with that came several additions to the book of esther. Book of esther simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 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. There is no special book in the bible about mary, but god has given us this lovely book about ruth. 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. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther. However, sometimes ezra calls them the people of israel. 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. 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. The pride of ahasueruss heart rising with the grandeur of his kingdom, he made an extravagant feast. In these three verses we have only some short hints, i.

This informative commentary part of jpss bible commentary series dissects the book of esther and, by extension, the jewish holiday of purim. The author of the book of esther is unknown, though some attribute the work to mordecai. 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. 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. Esther is, among the generality of jews, the best known of all the books of the bible p. Herbert lockyer describes her as the woman who saved her nation from genocide. He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. In 1934 annie became a missionary in china with oms. God gave jacob the name israel when he promised to make jacob s descendants god s special people genesis 32.

It is the last of the five scrolls ruth, song of songs, ecclesiastes, lamentations, and esther, and is read at the feast 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. Ntroduction i the main plot of esther begins in chapter 3, with the description of hamans decree and the developments that follow. 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. Read esther commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. Read esther 8 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Thus, the deeds of queen esther cast a ray of light forward into israels history from a dark time. 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.

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. The book of esther is unusual gods name is not mentioned once, yet gods hand is. They are living as members of gods family because they respect and obey him. Contributor kelly university of toronto language english volume. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of nehemiah in easy english. Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing esther as comedy and as diaspora literature. Yet, though this is true in one sense, there is more to it than that. 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. The book of judiths canonical history is also complicated, even though. Esther 8 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. 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.

The vulgate explains it of the book of esther itself, and so many modern scholars. The bible does not mention the book of esther anywhere else. Most of the families who returned from exile were originally from judah. Esther 10 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. 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. See all of our coronavirus resources here toggle navigation. Book of prophecy that reveals gods magnificent plan of salvation through the person and work of jesus christ. Esther 1, new living translation nlt the bible app. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so in the days of persecution. Working within a fallen system esther bible commentary. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of esther in easy english. The book of esther is renowned for its literary artistry, which functions as the principal vehicle for the books.

The book of esther is about a jewish girl adopted by her uncle, mordecai, after her parents died. Now he needs to pick a new queen and eventually manages to select esthera comely, young secretly jewish woman who is a. On the simple level of character, haman and holofernes possess over weening. The book of esther is counted as an historical book in our english bibles, but in the jewish scriptures it is among the writings. Commentaries for esther chapter 2 esther chosen queen. 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. The book of esther, also known in hebrew as the scroll megillah, is a book in the third. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the.

Megillat esther with commentary from the talmud, midrash, classic rabbinic. Classical sources such as josephus, the jewish commentary esther rabbah and the. But the writer wants us to know that the story is true. The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. 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 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. In the hebrew bible, the book of esther is found in the third section of the canon, the writings. 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. Esther is the name of a book in the tanakh the hebrew bible and the old testament, and also its title heroine. Esther commentary john gills exposition of the bible. Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies.

It is a deeply profound and moving narrative of historical events that displayed the providence of god. 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 addition, according to one opinion esther is already married to mordechai, himself a righteous jew, a prophet and the leader of his generation. The following are five of the most helpful commentaries on. 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. His recommendations would be honored and implemented. 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 page 2languages the literal, physical heart in literature is a reference to the thinking portion of a persons soul. 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. 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. This new english translation of the bible, old and revised new testaments, was. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles.

Concerning ahasuerus in the throne, what a mighty prince he was v. Esther overview ellicotts commentary for english readers. You can find the best commentary on esther for you using the tools on the right side. Study the bible online using commentary on esther and more. Esther pleases the king, and is set above all the women.

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. Esther 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Esther 3 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary on. Esther 1 commentary old testament matthew henry st. Xerxes, the persian king, rejected his wife queen vashti, and fell in love with esther at a beauty contest. The book of esther does not mention the name of god. 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.

On ordinary occasions she might reasonably set off her charms to as much advantage as. Esther ebd the queen of ahasuerus, and heroine of the book that bears her name. Read esther commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The story itself is implausible as history and, as many scholars now agree, it is. The book of esther is read every year to the assembled congregations of the jewish people in their synagogues to the present day. Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of esther by paton, lewis bayles, 18641932. 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. Study the bible online using commentary on esther 8 and more. Today we begin our study of the book of esther, in earnest. Esther commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.