Faith & Reason Nexus

MEANING: “Star”
Esther’s Persian name, derived from the Persian word for “Star,” means “Star.” Her original name was Hadassah, meaning “Myrtle.”
AUTHORSHIP: The author of the Book of Esther remains unknown.
TIME WRITTEN: Likely composed between 464 B.C. and 435 B.C.
POSITION IN THE BIBLE: Esther in the Context of Scripture

• 17th Book in the Bible.
• 17th Book in the Old Testament.
• 12th of 12 books of History (Joshua – Esther).
• Followed by 49 books in the Holy Bible.

ESTHER: Key Stats

• CHAPTERS: 10
• VERSES: 167
• WORDS: 5,637

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT ESTHER: Historical and Literary Overview

• God’s name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, but divine providence is evident throughout the narrative.

Chronological Span: The Book of Esther covers about 10 years.

Audience and Providence:

• Addressed to Jews who did not return to Judea and remained in voluntary exile.
• God’s providence is evident in various aspects:
• Recording Mordecai’s deeds in palace records.
• Guiding Esther’s admission to the King’s court.
• Orchestrating the timing of Esther’s feasts.
• Involvement in Ahasuerus’s insomnia and its resolution.
• Using Haman’s gallows in an unexpected way.
• Granting Esther favor in the sight of the king.
• Bringing about the victory of the Jews.

Chronological Placement: Fits between the 6th and 7th chapters of Ezra, utilizing 10 of the 58 years during that gap, and somewhere in the 81-year period between the return led by Ezra and the one led by Zerubbabel.

Portrait of Persian Jews: Provides the only biblical portrait of the majority of Jews who chose to remain in Persia instead of returning to Judea.

Significance and Cultural Tradition:

• The Jewish Feast of Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from Haman’s planned destruction.
• The phrase “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” from Esther 4:14 holds significant cultural and religious importance.