• Hebrew text – Esther.
• Greek text – Esther.
• English text – Esther

Esther is the Queen of the King of Persia. Her name is derived from a Persian name of which means “star”. Her Hebrew name was Haddassah. See Chapter 2:7.

The author is not mentioned in the book and so we cannot be certain who wrote the book. Traditionally Mordecai, the uncle of Esther, is recognised as the author. He is a Hebrew living in Persia..

The book fits historically into the time suggested in the first 3 verses of the book. Ahasuerus is generally known in secular history as Xerxes, who reigned from 485 B.C. to 465 B.C. The book of Esther then starts in the year 483 B.C. in the restoration period and it fits between chapters 6-7 of the book of Ezra. The book takes place in Persia with those Israelites who have not returned to Israel.

The authenticity of this book has been challenged by many liberal scholars and even Martin Luther. Here are some reasons why:-

• The name of God never occurs in the whole book.
• In the book there is no reference to the law of Moses or the sacrifices of Israel.
• Esther is not quoted in the New Testament but is not the only book.
• There is never prayer offered in the book of Esther.
• There is nothing supernatural.
• There seems to be little historical support for the story and the existence of Esther in extra-Biblical sources.

But since Israel used prophetic authorship as the determining principle of their canon, we are safe in assuming Israel included Esther because they ascertained its prophetic authorship.

In Esther you have “the fortunes of Israel in the midst of unbelief”. We will look first of all at their unbelief and then their fortunes:-

• Israel as viewed in the book of Esther is in unbelief and disobedience. They have not returned to Israel but they have remained in Persia because of materialism. We have Israel in belief in Ezra and Nehemiah and Israel in unbelief in the book of Esther.
• They are a rebellious people who are living by their own wits. This is why they do not pray to God or mention His name. God has withdrawn Himself from the people. Esther is a schemer who is out to get what she can. Whenever Israel are in unbelief there is always bloodshed, troublesome people and doubtful existence of the nation. In the midst of their unbelief God is working on their behalf. This can be seen throughout the book of Esther.

This book is one of the most beautiful dramas in the Old Testament. There are six main acts:-

• Introduction – Chapters 1-2. The time, place, main speakers and facts of the story are identified.
• The rising action – Chapters 3 – 5. The opposing forces are introduced and there is excitement.
• The climax – Chapters 6-7. The whole story is reversed as Esther identifies Haman as a betrayer and Haman is hanged.
• The falling action – Chapter 8. There is a natural fall of events which is going to lead to the catastrophe at the end of the story.
• The catastrophe – Chapter 9. The battle takes place between the forces of the Jews and the forces of Persia. The Jews win and the feast of Purim is instituted without God’s approval. They are still in unbelief.
• The exaltation of Mordecai – Chapter 10.

• The contribution of the book of Esther – There are three things to note:-

1. God’s providence even when His people are in unbelief.
2. The beautiful story of the conflict between Haman (descendant of Esau) and Mordecai and Esther (descendant of Jacob).
3. The origin of the feast of Purim.

• The great typical significance of the book of Esther – We have an interesting illustration of God’s programme for the Jewish people. The previous Queen was a Gentile but she was set aside for Esther. This typifies what God will do in the near future when He settles His work with Christendom and once again take up the Jewish people to begin His work during the Tribulation. Haman is a type of “the Antichrist”, who will be the opponent of the Jewish people during the Tribulation (It is interesting to note that Haman has a numerical value of 666). Mordecai is a type of Christ. He is going to raised up as the deliverer of the people and finally exalted upon the throne, just as Christ shall come and deliver and finally be exalted upon His throne for the Kingdom period.