Bible in one year 7/20/2022 the book of Esther Introduction By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 7/20/2022 the book of Esther Introduction

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce    

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Introduction to the book of Esther

Authorship :uncertain   Date: C.465 B.C.

      Authorship    Though his name is unknown to us, the author was evidently a Jew (Jewish nationalism permeates the book) who was personally acquainted with details of the reign of Ahasuerus and the palace in Shushan. He must have written the book shortly after the close of Ahasuerus’s reign, since that administration is spoken of in the past tense (10:2-3).

       Historical setting   The events of this book cover a ten year portion (483-473) of the reign of Xerzes I (486-465). Ahasuerus is the Hebrew form of his name, equivalent to the Persian Khshayarsha and the Greek Xerxes. The events occurred between those recorded in the sixth and seventh chapters of Ezra (see the Introduction  to Ezra for further background.)

    Theme   Though the name of God is now here mentioned in the book, His sovereignty and providence are evident throughout. Vashti’s dismissal, Esther’s regal position, Xerxes’ indebtedness to Mordecai discovered during a sleepless night, and the miraculous deliverance of the Jews all demonstrate God’s control and care for His people(Ps.121:4). The book also explains the origin of the Feast of Purim (2 Macc.15:36) on the 13^th and 14^th days of Adar (Feb-Mar.), when Jews celebrate the deliverance from Haman.

        Historical Accuracy    Objections raised about the historicity of Esther include the following:

1) Secular history fails to mention Vashti or Esther as queens during the reign of Xerxes. However, Herodotus, who often omits mention of important people (like Belshazzar, Dan.5), does report that Xerxes sought consolation in his harem after his defeat at Salamis, which was in the year Esther was made queen(Esther 2:16; Herodotus7:7).

2) It is alleged (from Esther 2:5-6) that Xerxes was a near successor to Nebuchadnezzar, since the passage appears to say that Mordecai was deported by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 and yet was still living during the reign of Xerxes. However, the antecedent of who in verse 6 in not Mordecai but Kish, his great –grandfather.

3)Objection is raised concerning the account of the slaying of seventy –five thousand enemies of the Jews in one day, and without apparent interference from the Persians (Esther9:16-17). Though unusual, this was by no means impossible, in light of known Persian callousness toward humans life and of the pre-planned arming of the Jews (8:13)

        Contents   undoubtedly 4:14 is the best known verse in the book, emphasizing the theme of God's control of all events. 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986