Topical Bible: Women: Esther

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Introduction:
Esther, a central figure in the Hebrew Bible, is the eponymous heroine of the Book of Esther. Her account is set during the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) of Persia and is celebrated annually in the Jewish festival of Purim. Esther's narrative is a profound testament to courage, faith, and divine providence.

Background:
Esther, originally named Hadassah, was a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai in the Persian capital of Susa. Her Hebrew name, Hadassah, means "myrtle," while her Persian name, Esther, is thought to be derived from the Persian word for "star" or possibly related to the goddess Ishtar.

Rise to Queenship:
Esther's ascent to the throne occurs after Queen Vashti is deposed for refusing to appear before King Xerxes and his guests. A royal decree is issued to gather beautiful young virgins from across the empire, from whom the king would choose a new queen. Esther, noted for her beauty and grace, finds favor with Hegai, the custodian of the women, and ultimately with King Xerxes himself, who crowns her queen. Importantly, Esther conceals her Jewish identity at Mordecai's instruction (Esther 2:10).

The Threat to the Jews:
The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Haman, an Agagite and high-ranking official, becomes enraged with Mordecai for refusing to bow to him. In retaliation, Haman devises a plot to annihilate all Jews in the Persian Empire, casting lots (purim) to determine the date of their destruction. Haman's plan is sanctioned by King Xerxes, who unknowingly seals the fate of his queen's people (Esther 3:5-13).

Esther's Courageous Intervention:
Mordecai urges Esther to intercede with the king, reminding her that her royal position may be divinely appointed "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). Despite the risk of approaching the king unsummoned, Esther resolves to act, declaring, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). She requests that all Jews in Susa fast for three days on her behalf.

The Banquets and Haman's Downfall:
Esther's strategic approach involves hosting two banquets for the king and Haman. At the second banquet, she reveals her Jewish identity and exposes Haman's plot, pleading for her life and the lives of her people. King Xerxes, incensed by Haman's treachery, orders Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:3-10).

The Jews' Deliverance and the Institution of Purim:
With Haman's death, Esther and Mordecai are granted authority to issue a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies. On the appointed day, the Jews gain victory over their adversaries, leading to the establishment of the Feast of Purim as a perpetual commemoration of their deliverance (Esther 9:20-22).

Legacy:
Esther's account is a powerful narrative of faith, bravery, and divine intervention. Her actions not only saved her people but also demonstrated the providential care of God in the lives of His chosen people. Esther remains a symbol of courage and faithfulness, inspiring countless generations to stand firm in the face of adversity.

Nave's Topical Index

Esther 4:15-17
Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Queen Esther's Love for Her People
... Every day Mordecai used to walk in front of the court of the women's quarters
to ask after Esther's health and what had been done with her. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/queen esthers love for her.htm

Esther, the Queen.
... Mordecai had told Esther not to speak of her Jewish family, but every day he walked
before the court of the women's house to ask how she did and what had ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxiv esther the queen.htm

Women as Well as Men Capable of Perfection.
... But Judith too, who became perfect among women, in the siege of the city, at ... And
again, Esther perfect by faith, who rescued Israel from the power of the king ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chap xix women as well as.htm

Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
... PRACTICAL WORK."Conduct Elementary Classes for Women, Teach under Criticism, City
and Village Visiting. FOURTH TERM. Book of Judges, Ruth, Esther, and 2 Samuel ...
/.../hwochow womens bible training school.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... if there were but one Esther at the South, she might save her country from ruin;
but let the Christian women there arise, at the Christian women of Great ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Concerning Esther and Mordecai and Haman; and How in the Reign of ...
... Now the king was desirous to show her, who exceeded all other women in beauty ... Now
it proved that this damsel, whose name was Esther, was the most beautiful of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning esther and.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... women for the sex to be held otherwise than in honor. A nation whose most glorious
records centred around such characters as Sara, Miriam, Deborah, Esther, and ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

The Net Broken
... I. The heroine of the whole book and of this chapter is Esther, one of the
sweetest and noblest of the women of Scripture. The orphan ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the net broken.htm

The Wall Rebuilt.
... Thus the young Benjamite orphan, Esther, whom her kinsman, Mordecai, had tenderly
trained in ... but to live in the multitude of slavish heathen women, who were ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xiv the wall rebuilt.htm

The Blessed virgin Mary May have Lived Without Sin. None of the ...
... Joseph to whom the Virgin Mary was espoused, John." And he adds the names of some
women,""Deborah, Anna the mother of Samuel, Judith, Esther, the other Anna ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 42 xxxvi the blessed virgin.htm