The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries Esther
Type
Book
Authors
ISBN 10
0300139489
ISBN 13
9780300139488
Category
General works on the whole Bible
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Publication Year
1971
Publisher
Volume
7B
Pages
192
Tags
Series Name
Description
Esther, the biblical book named after the beautiful Jewish woman chosen by the Persian King Xerxes to be queen, is a story of love, political intrigue, and religious faithfulness. Carey A. Moore combines his treatment of scholarly issues with an engaging explanation of the popular Jewish festival of Purim.
One of three biblical books named after women (Esther, Ruth, Judith), Esther reads like a novel, with its fast-paced, action-packed story. Drawing on ancient tales of court intrigue and midrashic sources, the author captivates the reader with the story of Queen Esther, her uncle Mordecai, King Xerxes, and the the royal court's villain, Haman. The story not only entertains, it also explains the origins of the Jewish festival of Purim.
Moore deftly deals with the scholarly issues peculiar to this book without sacrificing his sensitivity to its literary quality. The uncertainty that Esther should be included in sacred Scripture stems from its apparent lack of religious elements, its absence at Qumran, and its questionable historicity. Moore takes up these issues, carefully explaining and weighing prevailing scholarly theories before registering his own conclusions on the origin, date, and purpose of the book of Esther.
Carey A. Moore is Chairman of the Department of Religion at Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania.
One of three biblical books named after women (Esther, Ruth, Judith), Esther reads like a novel, with its fast-paced, action-packed story. Drawing on ancient tales of court intrigue and midrashic sources, the author captivates the reader with the story of Queen Esther, her uncle Mordecai, King Xerxes, and the the royal court's villain, Haman. The story not only entertains, it also explains the origins of the Jewish festival of Purim.
Moore deftly deals with the scholarly issues peculiar to this book without sacrificing his sensitivity to its literary quality. The uncertainty that Esther should be included in sacred Scripture stems from its apparent lack of religious elements, its absence at Qumran, and its questionable historicity. Moore takes up these issues, carefully explaining and weighing prevailing scholarly theories before registering his own conclusions on the origin, date, and purpose of the book of Esther.
Carey A. Moore is Chairman of the Department of Religion at Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania.
Biblio Notes
Queen Vashti Is Deposed (1:1–22)
Esther Is Chosen Queen (2:1–18)
Mordecai Foils a Plot against the King (2:19–23)
Haman Plans the Destruction of All the Jews (3:1–15)
Esther Agrees to Go Unsummoned to the King (4:1–17)
Esther Lays a Trap for Haman (5:1–8)
Haman Resolves to Hang Mordecai (5:9–14)
Mordecai Is Finally Rewarded (6:1–13)
Haman Is Unmasked and Executed (6:14–7:10)
The King Begins to Undo the Evil of Haman (8:1–17)
The Jews are Victorious over Their Enemies (9:1–19)
How Purim Became an Established Festival (9:20–32)
The Conclusion of the Book of Esther (10:1–3)
Esther Is Chosen Queen (2:1–18)
Mordecai Foils a Plot against the King (2:19–23)
Haman Plans the Destruction of All the Jews (3:1–15)
Esther Agrees to Go Unsummoned to the King (4:1–17)
Esther Lays a Trap for Haman (5:1–8)
Haman Resolves to Hang Mordecai (5:9–14)
Mordecai Is Finally Rewarded (6:1–13)
Haman Is Unmasked and Executed (6:14–7:10)
The King Begins to Undo the Evil of Haman (8:1–17)
The Jews are Victorious over Their Enemies (9:1–19)
How Purim Became an Established Festival (9:20–32)
The Conclusion of the Book of Esther (10:1–3)
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1
