The Book ofEsther (2:11)relates that Mordecai would walk about in front of the court of the harem, to learn how Esther was faring. The Rabbis understood Mordecais escorting of Esther as his providing her withThe legal corpus of Jewish laws and observances as prescribed in the Torah and interpreted by rabbinic authorities, beginning with those of the Mishnah and Talmud.halakhic guidance, for he would rule for her in questions ofMenstruation; the menstruant woman; ritual status of the menstruant woman.niddah (the laws governing menstrual purity, and, more generally, family purity; see below: Esthers Personal Status"). The fact that she could persuade him to reverse an edictsomething that was considered irreversiblespeaks volumes about her influence over him. cit.). Indeed, in his Asimovs Guide to the Bible: The Old Testament, Isaac Asimov surmises that the books fervent nationalism was one reason why the Book of Esther was included in the Old Testament, when so many other late texts were consigned to the apocrypha pile. "order." Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. He is depicted as the husband of Esther in the Book of Esther. The Scroll of Esther is read on Purim from a parchment scroll. Copyright 1920-2023 Jesus Leadership Training. After her parents died, she was adopted by her cousin, a man named Mordecai. This book therefore has the same sanctity as the other books of Scripture. cit.). In various sources the Rabbis relate to the question of the Book of Esthers acceptance as Scripture and to the establishment of the holiday ofPurim. The midrash tells that when Esther came to Ahasueruss palace the spirit of divine inspiration left her, and she then prayed to God. The myrtle has a good smell, just like Esther, who performed good deeds; the myrtle does not dry out either in summer or in winter, just as the righteous dry up neither in this world nor in the World to Come (Midrash Panim Aherim, version B, para. And Esther won the favorof everyone who saw her (Esther 2:15). Esther herself observed the commandment of searching for thehamez(Esth. 22:23). The biblical narrative suggests that King Ahasuerus had genuine affection for Esther. He issued a decree that allowed Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalems walls (Nehemiah 2:1-9). - Quora. On the seventh day of the banquet given by the king, he commanded his eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti to the gathering of men. There is no reference to known historical events in the story; some consider the narrative of Esther was to provide an aetiology for Purim, and the name . Hearing the news, all the Jews began to mourn in sackcloth and ashes, including Mordecai. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy,gladness and honor. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the kings eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. King Ahasuerus, taken aback by this revelation, was filled with fury. There is no description of the items used at the womens banquet. However, the story behind it serves as a powerful reminder of Gods protection and deliverance. Esther | Book of Esther, Purim, & Facts | Britannica Each woman had unique qualities, yet their stories are intertwined. Just as the myrtle is sweet-smelling but has a bitter taste, so Esther was sweet to Ahasuerus, but bitter to Haman (Esth. Esther also spoke of her merit for observing the womens commandments of the taking ofDuring the Temple period, the dough set aside to be given to the priests. The king demanded his queen stand before the guests. Three ministering angels were appointed to aid her at that moment: one made her head erect, one endowed her with charm, and one stretched out the scepter(BTMegillah15b). Well come back to that; but its worth noting that Haman is described as being the son of an Agagite, and we know from the First Book of Samuel that Agag was an Amalekite (1 Samuel 15:32), the Amalekites being sworn enemies of the Jewish people. She was of the tribe of Benjamin and lived during the time Israel was exiled, and eventually became queen who saved her entire people. Haman had intended to kill the Jews. Would he forget about Vashti as the new queen took her place? cit.). There is a postscript to the Purim story - and it may not have been a happy one BY Rabbi Dr Jeffrey Cohen March 06, 2020 10:14 Share via Esther confers. Her influence was primarily on her son, Jesus Christ. The king was powerful and greedy. Why Is it Important to Remember That Jesus Was Jewish? The verse (5:1) Esther put on royal apparel is interpreted as her assuming the spirit of prophecy (BTMegillahloc. The BT presents this in the opposite way: the king first talked with her by means of an interpreter, but when she told him that she was descended from King Saul, he spoke with her directly, out of respect (Lev. Rabbah6:5; BTLit. Xerxes I (l. 519-465, r. 486-465 BCE), also known as Xerxes the Great, was the . Second Josephus was mistaken in calling Mordecai as Esther's uncle, because Mordecai's father and Esther's father were brothers (rf. Queen Esther - Bible Story Verses & Meaning - Bible Study Tools cit.). Part 1. She was married to King Achashverosh, whom some identify as Artaxerxes (), 1 king of Persia. Mordecai would walk about in front of the harem in order to rule for Esther regarding menstrual spotting; another exegetical exposition has Esther showing the spotting from her menstruation to theTorah she-bi-khetav: Lit. Esthers husband in the Bible was King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, who was a Persian king reigning from 486465 BC. We do not learn many specific details about Vashti. Esthers influence reached beyond her time as queen, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire people worldwide. Jim Padgett/WikiCommons. Esther: Nice Jewish Girl, Married to a Goy? Her passions are helping in the community and church. Today, Esthers story is commemorated during the Jewish festival of Purim, celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people from Hamans plot. Led the Persian forces at the Battle of Thermopylae and the Burning of Athens. As a result of her mothers death, Mordecai had to care for Esthers nursing. Although we dont know the exact amount of time between the banishment of Vashti and the choosing of the next queen, we can wonder about the emotions of everyone involved. heres a table detailing key facts about King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, the Persian King.FactDetailNameAhasuerus, also known as Xerxes IReign486465 BCKingdomPersian EmpireFatherDarius I, The GreatWife/WivesAmestris, Esther, and others. 10:2). However, even Ahasuerus himself couldnt revoke the decree calling for the Jews to be killed, but they were allowed to defend themselves against their attackers. Xerxes I is thought to be the Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther, the king who married Esther. A long-time follower of Christ, Danielle lives with her husband in Michigan near her adult children and grandchildren. In the affair of Bigthan and Teresh, Esther continued to follow Mordecais instructions. However, once again Asimov finds a Babylonian precursor to all this: Purim may have had its earliest origins in a Babylonian spring festival involving Marduk and Ishtar. Scripture shares that the banquet for the men of nobility, the officials, and ministers lasted for 180 days. Historians say that guests usually drank the same amount as the king. During the 12 months that Esther was put through the beauty treatments required, it was her character that gained the favor of those in authority. Esther (or Hadassah) was the daughter of Abihail of the tribe of Benjamin. The Festival of Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jews. 17:14): Inscribe this in a document as a reminder (since Haman was of Amalekite stock). Ahasuerus consulted with Mordecai how to discover Esthers secret, and Mordecai advised him to arouse Esthers jealousy by inviting other women to him, thus motivating her to disclose her secret (BT Megillah 13a). Purim, (Hebrew: "Lots") English Feast of Lots, a joyous Jewish festival commemorating the survival of the Jews who, in the 5th century bce, were marked for death by their Persian rulers.The story is related in the biblical Book of Esther.. What is another name for King Xerxes? In the Book of Lamentations Israel bemoan (5:3): We have become orphans, fatherless, and God promises them the redemption of the fatherless and motherless orphan (Lam. Esther did not reveal her heritage in order to keep Mordecai and herself safe. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. In contrast, the BT also cites a tradition that Esther had a greenish [sallow] complexion, and therefore was called Hadassah; according to this tradition, Ahasuerus was drawn to her because she was endowed with great charm (BTMegillahloc. Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Esther, on the other hand, was taken every day and, like them, she requested miracles. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Esther, in the book of Esther, was a biblical heroine who saved the Jewish people. The Rabbis compare Esther to the son of the uncle who redeems an ancestral landholding(Lev. Why Was Vashti so Important in Esthers Story? 49). cit.). But she does not reveal her Jewish heritage to the king and learns of a plan to kill all Jews by the kings advisor, Haman. Thanks to her influential position at the Persian court, Esther along with Mordecais guidance was able to petition for better treatment of Jews living under Xerxes rule. Esther became queen after winning the favor of King Ahasuerus during a royal beauty contest held to find a new queen following Queen Vashtis dethronement. Her intercession at the Wedding at Cana prompted Jesus to perform his first public miracle (John 2:1-12). In disobeying the command of her husband to appear before the men, she had shamed the king before his people. He even offers to give her half of his kingdom. Menstruation; the menstruant woman; ritual status of the menstruant woman. Similarly, her son Benjamin knew about the sale of Joseph, but remained silent and did not tell his father. Esther and King Ahasuerus had a complex relationship. She was compared to a hind, for just as a hind has a narrow womb and is as desirable to her mate at all times as at the first time, so, too, was Esther as desirable to Ahasuerus at all times as at the first time. The regimen of rituals, songs and textual readings performed in a specific order on the first two nights (in Israel, on the first night) of Passover. 22:25). Haman took the death intended for Mordecai. Sure, here is a table highlighting the key facts related to King Ahasuerus choosing Esther as his queen: The story of Ahasuerus and Esther is a testament to Esthers courage and intelligence. cit.). The tale of Esther and her husband, King Ahasuerus, is not only a captivating narrative of romance, power, and bravery, but it also holds profound historical and religious significance. Understanding the power dynamics at play, Esther chose to reveal her Jewish identity and Hamans plot in a setting that she knew would work to her advantage a royal banquet. Her royal position would be given toanother who was better than Vashti. Beauty is personal and different for every person. By merit of this, Mordecai(Esth. The beginning of the psalm: My God, my God, why have You abandoned me? is what Esther asks when she wants to know why the spirit of divine inspiration has left her: was this because she went to Ahasuerus of her own free will, or because she disparaged him, and called him a dog (following the text of the psalm)(BTMegillah15a)? She utilized her influence over her husband, King Ahasuerus, to foil Hamans plot. Some are easy. Meir, Tamar. What was the relationship dynamic between Esther and King Ahasuerus? For if you remain silentat this time, reliefand deliverancefor the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your fathers family will perish. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Esther was not only beautiful but a woman of honor. The ministering angels took action to inflame Ahasueruss wrath: they appeared as people cutting the trees in his garden, and when the king asked why they were doing this, they said that they were acting on Hamans orders. Book of Esther, book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. Both women were beautiful. The Bible suggests that King Ahasuerus held genuine affection for Queen Esther, which played a pivotal role in the overturning of Hamans edict against the Jews. This also leads to a different understanding of Mordecais involvement, as he walks about in the royal courtyard out of concern for his wife. This shows that her selection was part of the divine plan; Esther was meant to rule in order to bring deliverance to all Israel (Lit. The Book of Esther relates that Esther told no one of her Jewish origins, as Mordecai had ordered her. Meanwhile, Ishtar (for whom, read Esther?) Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The Rabbis describe at length Esthers activities after she learned of Hamans decree against the Jews. What made the two women beautiful? His fondness for Esther and the realization of Hamans deceit led him to order Hamans execution and the edict that saved the Jewish people. The Rabbis include Esther among the seven most beautiful women in the world (BT Megillah 15a). Shes writtenEmerging With Wings, A Bird Named Payn,Loves Manifesto,Because You Matter, and hosts theVictorious Souls Podcast. God is unseen and not acknowledged. 3 Ways Christians Can Respond to the Problem of Homelessness Today. Saul, a Benjaminite, did not reveal to his uncle that he had been anointed to be king; likewise, Esther did not disclose her identity(Gen. Rabbah71:35). Hadassah was taken and emerged as Esther, keeping her nationality a secret per Mordecais instructions. 2 The correct relationship between the two is not uncle and niece but rather as first cousin. Melissa is the author of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. When we go to the Father and ask for His help, we are able to listen and be alert for His way. In the Bible, King Ahasuerus is known for his role in the Book of Esther, where he is depicted as Queen Esthers husband. Although shes the queen, its against the law to approach the king without being summoned. The Rabbis devote extensive attention to Esthers observance of the laws of niddah. She recognizes that she needs to personally plead the king to save her people but knows this act is a grave transgression. King Ahasuerus held a banquet for all the men in Susa (Esther 1:4-7 NIV). The Book of Esther reports that when Esther learned that Mordecai was wearing sackcloth, the queen was greatly agitated (4:4). Without the bold and courageous decision of Vashti choosing not to be presented as an object of lust, Esther would not have become queen and taken her place in history. Scripture describes royal goblets of gold, couches of gold to lounge upon, and an abundance of royal wine. Queen Vashti was his first wife, followed by Esther. Who was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Photo Credit: Wikipedia, 'Ahasuerus and Haman at the Feast of Esther . She organized two feasts, a tactical move that set the stage for the revelation. Haman, by the way, is another Babylonian name: Hamman was the chief male deity of the Elamites. Who is this woman and why does she have an entire book named after her? Queen Esther and Bella Abzug: Costumes, Leadership, and Identity, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. Mordecai was Abihails nephew. Her story is recorded in the Old Testament book bearing her name. When Bible First Written | Bible | Wrote | Biblical | PDF, The Fascinating Journey of Queen Esther: A Symbol of Bravery, Unlocking the Mysteries: 21 Biblical Differences Between Man, What does the Bible say about Interpreting Scripture |, 15 Remarkable Women Bible Characters: Their Stories and, Why Was the Geneva Bible Banned (2023) | Geneva Bible |, What Does the Bible Say God Looks Like | Bible Verses | PDF, The Secret Unraveled: The 666th Verse in the Bible | Bible |. In response, Esther tells him that, like him, she is the offspring of royalty (Midrash Abba Gurion, para. Esthers birth name was Hadassah. 100). Cup for cup. And the king gave a great banquet, Esthers banquet, for all his nobles and officials. Can you imagine the sounds of the gathering? The Rabbis relate to Esther as the one responsible for the deliverance of Israel and compare her to the moon, which shone for Israel in the darkness of night. Often asked: Who Was Esther's Husband In The Bible? Lit. Vashti was brave in her decision. The importance of Vashtis role in paving the way for Esther to become the chosen queen can teach us many valuable lessons. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity: How Did the Apostle Paul Die?Who are the Nicolaitans in Revelation?Who Was Deborah in the Bible?Who Was Moses in the Bible? Rabbah26:8;Lam. Yet, we can learn from Vashtis actions as she chose to make a strong decision to possibly protect herself and others. Esther turns in prayer to God and compares the situation of the Jews of Persia to that of the Jews in Egypt: in Egypt the Jews cried out and were answered; and in Persia, they fasted, prayed and cried out over their tribulation and the decree that was harsher than that during the time of the Egyptian servitude. Each of these women shows the profound impact that faith and wisdom can have in influencing important decisions, especially in the leadership realm. Was the king pleased with his decision after the effects of the wine wore off? Could she have been afraid of what might happen to her as she stood on display before the guests? The story of Esther begins with a king's banquet. The BT lists a number of possible reasons: (1) she wanted Haman to be near her (so that she could say what she wanted about him at the appropriate moment); (2) she wanted to set a trap for him; (3) she planned to act toward Haman in a way that would lead Ahasuerus to suspect that she had engaged in an improper relationship with the former and thus cause the king to kill them both. What Was the Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible? We do not learn many specific details about Vashti. Loud voices, laughter, food being eaten with noisy slurps and burps may have filled the air. Esther was a young orphan who became the Persian queen. Another tradition has her becoming pregnant by Ahasuerus, but miscarrying (Esth. How many husbands did Queen Esther have? - The Jerusalem Post According to one, Hadassah, which appears first in the verse, was Esthers real name, and the reason why she was called Esther requires clarification. The women had to undergo a full year of beauty treatments before they could appear before the king. Institution: National Library of Israel, Jerusalem. When analysed this way, the Book of Esther is an allegory for a much older civilisation, and the way it the Babylonian empire replaced the earlier Elamite one. Despite her hiding her identity, Esther still maintained contact with Mordecai. 22:26). During the Temple period, the dough set aside to be given to the priests. A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). He had to think of some way to punish Vashti. When she relayed Mordecais information to the king, she attributed it to Mordecai(Esth. However, on the other hand, if she does nothing this is what Mordecai says will happen. 2022-23 Season Wrap. This was fortunate, because Haman, a favourite courtier of Ahasuerus, would have had the Jewish people massacred if he had his way, not least because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, accepting no authority except that of God. This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Those in authority shouldn't only talk the talk; they have the high responsibility and honor of walking the walk. In the Erez Israel tradition, she miscarried the fetus she bore in her womb (the offspring of Ahasuerus) (Esth. Rabbah6:11). According to various traditions, at this time she recitedPsalm 22(For the leader; onayelet ha-shahar): in the Rabbinic exegesisayelet ha-shaharis Esther, and the content of the psalm is applied to her. The Babylonian tradition (according to which she was Mordecais wife) understands this apprehension as her awareness that she would thereby lose her status as one compelled [a married woman living with another man against her will] and become a woman who does so freely. The contestants underwent a year of beauty treatments before presenting themselves to the king. Like the moon, that is born after thirty days, Esther, too, said(Esth. In another exposition, she was given this name by the Gentiles, after the celestial body Istahar (BTLit. After he had Vashti killed, all the lands rebelled against him; once he married Esther, one hundred and twenty-seven lands came under his rule once again, and when he appointed Mordecai as viceroy, they all returned to him (Midrash Tehilim, onPs. But the narrative was more complicated than a mere contest of beauty. This was a way of life. Is the United States Really Blessed by God? Unraveling the Mystery: How Did Queen Esther Die? Additional traditions maintain that not only did Esther become pregnant by Ahasuerus, but she was also the mother of the last Darius (idem) or of Cyrus (Kallah Rabbati2:15). "order." (Vashti, by the way, is another name taken from Babylonian mythology: she was an Elamite goddess. The maiden was shapely and beautiful; and when her father and mother died, Mordechai adopted her as his own daughter. ), or her strength wanedPirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer[ed. The Scroll of Esther is read on Purim from a parchment scroll.Megillah loc. All rights reserved. In common parlance, the braided loaves blessed and eaten on the Sabbath and Festivals. heres a table presenting the spiritual implications of Esther in the context of Christianity:AspectSpiritual ImplicationDivine ProvidenceThe story of Esther is seen as a testament to Gods providential care of His people, even when His name isnt explicitly mentioned in the book. The Jewish Feast of Purim celebrates this particular deliverance of the Jews. For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. She was compared to the dawn, for just as the dawn breaks at the end of each night, so, too, Esther [i.e., the miraculous delivery of the Jews] came after there had been no miracles [during the period of exile and darkness](BTYoma29a). He will guide us as we make decisions. 15 Remarkable Women Bible Characters: Their Stories and Impact | Bible | Women. Women, especially queens, were often restricted in their roles and influence. "Paul to TimothyII Timothy 2: 2KJV, We have Ads Running on this site. He is the man referred to as Esther in the Bible husband. A powerful figure, his reign is recorded not just in biblical texts, but in historical chronicles as well. The Rabbis also offer various proofs that the Book of Esther was written with the spirit of divine inspiration. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Before she went to Ahasuerus, Esther uttered the prayer: O Lord, the God of Israel, who has reigned from days of yore and created the universe, help, please, Your handmaiden who has remained an orphan without father and mother, and who is compared to a pauper who begs from door to door. It continues to inspire countless individuals and stands as a testament to the power of courage and conviction. Scripture describes royal goblets of gold, couches of gold to lounge upon, and an abundance of royal wine. We take those $ and give them to developing our Children's Programs. Therefore, a major decision was given. Unlike the other women, who wanted to be chosen, Esther tried to evade the king, but she was the one picked to be queen. The Rabbis viewed Esther as one who was compelled to marry Ahasuerus against her will. What Does the Bible Say about Visiting Graves? As Asimov notes, Mordecai is close to Marduk, the name of the chief Babylonian god who replaced the earlier Elamite god, Hamman. According to the Babylonian tradition, she saw menstrual blood (BT Megillah15a). Her prophecy and guidance led to a decisive victory for the Israelites (Judges 4).AbigailKing DavidAbigail prevented David from shedding unnecessary blood and reminded him of Gods will, which led David to reconsider his plans to kill Nabal and his household (1 Samuel 25).Mary, Mother of JesusHer influence was primarily on her son, Jesus ChristMarys faith and dedication significantly shaped Jesus life and ministry. This is quite fortunate for Hadassah because Mordecai was a God-fearing man who loved her dearly and raised her well in the face of dreadful circumstances. As a prophetess and judge, Deborah instructed Barak to lead an army against the Canaanite forces. Esther, known for her exceptional beauty, was chosen among many young women as the new queen. Have an update or correction? He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had no father or mother. Esther 2:7 He (=Mordechai) was foster father to Hadassahthat is, Estherhis uncle's daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. Esther and her cousin Mordecai helped rescue the Jews of the Persian Empire from Haman the Agagites evil plot. cit.). He refused to accept them. Another question that concerned the Rabbis was that of the children from the union of Esther and Ahasuerus. Purim is the plural of the Hebrew word pur, which means lot. We see, however, that this was a stratagem on Mordecais part, so that Esther would not be frequently summoned to the king. There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Manage Settings 7:6): The adversary and enemy, she first pointed to Ahasuerus, but the king moved her hand in Hamans direction. When Church Becomes Political:Between Prayer and Politics: 13 Truths: Who Married Ruth in the Bible? "the written Torah." I hope this gives you a strong start. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talentsof silver to the kings administrators for the royal treasury. So the king took his signet ringfrom his finger and gave it to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. All rights reserved. As well as being a story about the persecution and eventual acceptance of the Jews, thanks to the courage of Esther and the cleverness of Mordecai, the events might be analysed as symbolic of the last days of the Assyrian empire. How Can Christians Knock Down Fear of the Future? Indeed, even the name of Hamans wife, Zeresh, is suspiciously close to Kirisha, the name of Hammans wife in Babylonian myth.
