Xerxes book of esther

The first readers of the book of esther would have known the past of both esther and her family and xerxes and his family. The book of esther is one of only two books in the bible named for women. The name xerxes does not appear in the hebrew text of scripture. Ahasuerus xerxes i, king of the persians, whose empire now extends from india to egypt after the defeat of the babylonians, is holding a celebratory banquet for his people in the citadel of susa to display his wealth and splendor. God masterfully orchestrates and weaves together every detail of our lives in jawdropping ways. At that time king xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of susa. Mordecai and esther live in susa during the reign of xerxes. In this sixweek study, explore the subject of gods providence, walking verse by verse through the book of esther. In chapter 1 he gives a great banquet for his nobles and, after several days. The genre of the book of esther is narrative history. Ernest wright early christians and the anchor, by charles a. Esther is one of the five scrolls in the hebrew bible.

Xerxes is portrayed by richard egan in the 1960 film esther and the king and by joel smallbone in the 20 film, the book of esther. The book of esther describes the jewish heroine esther, who saved the jewish people in persia from annihilation during the reign of king xerxes i ahasuerus. Perhaps this is why the biblical text actually gives no clear reason for the kings love for esther. In the book of esther, why is king ahasuerus so in love with esther. While there are many detractors who simply view esther as fiction, for those who accept the historicity of the book of esther, xerxes i is the most likely candidate to fill the role of ahasuerus. Modern commentators associate him with xerxes i who reigned from 486 bc until 465 bc. In the story of esther, youll meet a beautiful, young queen who risked her life to serve god and save her people. The events in the book take place from 483 bc to 473 bc, during the first half of the reign of king xerxes. Other identifications have been made for cambyses ii or with bardiya greek smerdis who reigned perhaps as an imposter for seven months between cambyses ii and darius i. While persian records make no direct reference to the events described in the book of esther, the chronology of xerxes s career is fully compatible with the story described in the famous book. All the royal officials at the kings gate knelt down and paid honor to haman, for. The book of esther was written during a time when the persian empire ruled the world and ahasuerus probably xerxes i was the king of persia. Its one of the most beautiful books in the bible and so full of great takeaways for the modern christian woman today. Esther lived in the persian empire during the reign of king xerxes i who reigned from 486465 bc.

Esther and mordecai under xerxes of persia amazing bible. It is up to mordecais niece esther to win the affection of. Very few bible scholars believe now in the historicity of the book of esther, but what is really incomprehensible is that their conclusion is based only on the following prejudice. Although esther had little control over her life, god would do great works in and through her life. Archaeology and the book of esther andrews university. The righteous jew mordecai and the despicable haman square off for control of the young persian king xerxes.

How many children did queen esther and king xerxes have answers. The religious policy of xerxes and the book of esther. There is no record anywhere in the persian records of a queen esther, and historians say that king xerxes was married to queen. From the book of esther, we learn of two of achashveroshs wivesthe wicked vashti and the righteous esther. Most scholars today agree that the kjv ahasuerus was the xerxes who reigned 486 b. Ironically, despite being the namesake of the book, esthers a. And the interesting thing about his name is that it sounds very similar to vashti, the disobedient queen mentioned in the book of esther. But to push esther out of the limelight is to underestimate the power of the story. Herodotus and ctesias both mention xerxess wife amestris, who was very wicked. Apr, 2019 xerxes is also the king in the biblical book of esther, who has a beauty contest, which esther wins, to select a new queen. The book of esther says that esther married xerxes, who was king of persia from 486 to 465 bce, thus becoming queen of persia. All the letters of the hebrew alphabet are found in esther 3.

Mar 21, 2016 both refer to a persian king named xerxes khshayarsha, who seems to be the biblical achashverosh. Xerxes was also the first son born to darius after darius became king. Did esther have sex with xerxes before they were married. Xerxes also had a grandfather by the name of hystapes also known as vishtaspa. Moore archaeology at the albrigh institutet by phili, p j. Esther s story is retold by josephus in book 11, chapter 6 of the jewish antiquities. Watch our overview video on the book of esther, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The name or title applied in the hebrew scriptures to three different rulers. In it, esther asturya, the daughter of mordecai, marries xerxes called ahasuerus, in order to foil a plot by the wicked haman who seeks to organize a pogrom against the jews. Esther is described in the book of esther as a jewish queen of the persian king ahasuerus in the narrative, ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, vashti. The kings chief advisor, haman, is offended by esther s cousin and guardian, mordecai, and gets permission from the king. The book of esther has served the jewish people as support of their national hope and especially so. Pdf queen esther wife of xerxes fairy tale or history.

Queen vashti deposed this is what happened during the time of xerxes, the xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from india to cush. However, it does appear throughout the book of esther in the niv and nasb. The book of esther is a 20 movie starring jen lilley as queen esther and joel smallbone as king xerxes. Waldman and appeared in volume one of the graphic canon, edited by russ kick and published by seven stories press. Esther 1 niv bible this is what happened during the. When he summons his attractive wife vashti, to show off. Now when the time came for esther to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what hegai, the kings eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. The book of esther does not record any children of queen esther. Aug, 2012 highlights of life in a persian harem during the time of esther posted on august, 2012 by womenfromthebook the harem was a tradition with iranian persian dynasties and aristocracy as well. The book of esther says that vashti was the wife of king xerxes when he first became king of persia, followed three years later by queen esther. In the narrative, ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, vashti, refuses to obey him, and esther is chosen for her beauty. In chapter 2 of the book of esther, we are introduced to a jew named mordecai and an orphan girl in his charge named esther.

The period between the deposition of vashti and the selection of esther is the events of the pelleponesian war. Her story is recorded in the old testament book that bears her name. Did queen esthers beauty or bravery foil a massacre. This opens the possibility that esther and nehemiah could have lived as contemporaries in the same city for a period of time. This rules out xerxes as the king ahasuerus of the book of esther. Solving eleven mysteries of the jewish holidays and liturgy kodesh press, 2015, 129167.

He was a man who was used to controlling his own fate as well as the fate of others. Dressing himself in sack cloth and ashes after he had learned of this royal edict, mordecai sent a copy of the dispatch to queen esther, demanding that. It was written after the death of king xerxes esth. King xerxes of persia was the worlds most powerful monarch who ruled the. The story of esther takes place in the persian empire during the reign of ahasuerus, known more familiarly to us by the greek form of his name, xerxes i. Herodotus and ctesias both mention xerxes s wife amestris, who was very wicked. Discover the most popular bible verses from the book of esther in this collection os scripture quotes. Esther is read during the purim feast on 14th and 15th adar februarymarch. Oct 26, 2010 the book of esther says that vashti was the wife of king xerxes when he first became king of persia, followed three years later by queen esther. Scripture later when king xerxes fury had subsided,he remembered vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her.

Jan 26, 2018 xerxes is more common in nonbiblical literature, but ahasuerus is the preferred hebrew rendering cf. Esther 1, new living translation nlt the bible app. Kennedy archaeology and the book of esther carey a. Even though the book of esther is only ten chapters, it contains many rich themes. Esther 3 niv bible after these events, king xerxes. According to the niv xerxes was king during the time of esther, but according to the esv ahasuerus was. At his accession in 486 bce, xerxes could not have been more than 36 years old since he was born after the accession of darius in 522 bce. Instead, we often pit good versus evil mordecai versus haman and treat esther like the cute jewish cheerleader on the sidelines.

After these events, king xerxes honored haman son of hammedatha, the agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. It narrates the account of a hebrew woman in persia, born as hadassah but identified as esther, who becomes queen of persia and prevents a massacre of her people. There are like 40 different amazing truths from the blessed book of esther. Moore divided the arguments against the historicity of the book into three groups. Nehemiahs major position within his court and his queen influencing him to order the resumption of the building of the jerusalem temple nehemiah 2. But hamans plans include something horrible for mordecai and his people. Nov 26, 2012 esther and mordecai under xerxes of persia king xerxes of persia was the worlds most powerful monarch who ruled the persian empire around 486 b. The book says that the first wife of xerxes, queen vashti, was. Shea in this study of esther for the anchor bible series, c. Sep 27, 2011 with that said, have you ever wondered about the other half of the story of esther, xerxes past. Esther and mordecai under xerxes of persia amazing bible timeline.

Xerxes is more common in nonbiblical literature, but ahasuerus is the preferred hebrew rendering cf. Sep 30, 2019 the book of esther, which may be a work of fiction, is set in xerxes rule and was written about 400 bce. Esther 3 new international version niv hamans plot to destroy the jews. May 04, 2015 the persian king traditionally identified as the husband of esther is xerxes the great, who succeeded darius and fought the second persian war. This is what happened during the time of xerxes, the xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from india to cush.

Jewish girl esther is chosen as the new queen consort to king xerxes of persia. This story is an historical interpretation of the life of queen esther along with the lives of the jewish people. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of. These factors distinguished him from his older halfbrother artabazanes, and merited xerxes being chosen to succeed darius. Esther is the only book in the scripture which does not mention gods name.

Mar 30, 2008 this is the theme of the book of esther. All we have is the notice that the king loved esther more than all the other women. For such a time as this the story of ahasuerus and esther. Ahasuerus legendary figure britannica encyclopedia britannica. However, if you ever see arguments for artaxerxes as the king during the time of esther dont believe it.

Esther is described in the book of esther as a jewish queen of the persian king ahasuerus commonly identified as xerxes i, reigned 486465 bce. The author is unknown, but some biblical scholars conclude that it was mordecai, himself, who wrote the book of esther. Why do we call king ahasueros xerxes in the book of esther. His past is full on intrigue itself and one would be well served by knowing it. Esther 2 describes king xerxes or ahasuerus search for a new queen of persia. The only kings after xerxes ruling from india to ethiopia as mentioned in the book of esther are artaxerxes i and iii. Esther 3 hamans plot to destroy the jews bible gateway. Esther in the picture study bible the book of esther with. Scripture that same day king xerxes gave queen esther the estate of read more the book of esther bible study. Ahasuerus appears most prominently in the book of esther, and the intrigues of the kings court provide the biblical origin of the festival of purim. Will she be able to stop the evil lord hamans plot to exterminate the jews. Thus, ahasuerus and xerxes are the same individual by different names. And the king loved esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of vashti esth. How many children did queen esther and king xerxes have.

If achashverosh is xerxes, is esther his wife amestris. Ahasuerusit is now generally agreed among learned men that the ahasuerus mentioned in this episode is the xerxes who figures in grecian history. Read below for some more fun and interesting facts on the book of esther. At that time king xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of susa, and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The chronology of the book of esther is surprisingly detailed, sometimes down to the month, and its chronology dovetails amazingly well with the extrabiblical historical events that occur during the reign of king xerxes i of persia called ahasuerus in hebrew. The story told in the book of esther takes place during the rule of ahasuerus, who amongst others has been identified as the 5thcentury persian king xerxes i. Many scholars believe that king xerxes is the same as king ahasuerus who appears in the book of esther.

Highlights of life in a persian harem during the time of esther. In at least one of these films, the events of the book of esther are depicted as taking place upon xerxes return from greece. Ahasuerus is also given as the name of a king of persia in the book of ezra. King domestic architecture and the new testament, by h. He is identified as the ahasuerus of persia in the biblical book of esther although his son, artaxerxes i, is also a possibility as is artaxerxes ii and is. Since purim is not a holiday ordained by moses in the first five books of the bible, scholars have wondered if jews of ancient time indeed observed it annually. Chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five chapter six chapter seven s. The author is unknown, but it is evident from the details of the record that he was well acquainted with the persian. However, if you ever see arguments for artaxerxes as the king during the time of estherdont believe it. Scripture never says that esther wanted to marry ahasuerus. Both refer to a persian king named xerxes khshayarsha, who seems to be the biblical achashverosh. In a similar way the jerusalem bible official bible translation of catholicism explains in its introduction to the book of esther.

This was during a time just before the wall of jerusalem was rebuilt. He was the son of darius the great and reigned from 486465 b. This sacred text takes place in 486 bc, when king xerxes i ruled persia. With jen lilley, linda bisesti, john clement, kass connors. In esther, god providentially uses two exiled israelites to rescue his. Jan 02, 2020 the details on the life of xerxes found in the book of esther are not corroborated by any secular sources. Esther, mordecai, xerxes, haman, vashti, and zeresh.

A group of beautiful young virgins from the city of susa was selected verse 3. The hebrew word mishteh, meaning banquet, occurs 20 times in esther which is equal to the total of all the other times it is found in the rest of. Hence it belongs to the bestknown otbooks with the jews and it is also the book, which has the oldest copies. King ahasuerus xerxes plays a prominent role in the book of esther.

Jun 18, 2019 the book of esther is one of only two books in the bible named for women. And all this was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king. Xerxes sets up a display of his wealth and splendor esther 1. May 12, 2015 the book of esther is placed after the book of nehemiah, but her story actually came first 3. Other identifications have been made for cambyses ii or with bardiya greek smerdis who reigned perhaps as an imposter for seven months between cambyses ii and darius i book of daniel. Among this group was esther, a jewess who kept her ethnic background hidden verse 8. In the hebrew text, the kings name is ahasuerus preserved in the kjv and esv. He ruled over a vast empire that extended from india to ethiopia. This vishtaspa did have some ruling authority under cyrus, as well as alongside his son darius who was the father of xerxes. Esther, or hadassah in hebrew, was a jewish slave living in exile. The present essay is a summary of a longer essay found in my book, esther unmasked. The events in the book of esther probably took place around 521495 bc.