History · Old Testament

Esther

c. 483–473 BC

Section: History · Old Testament
Events span: c. 483–473 BC
Written: c. 460 BC
Author: Mordecai (by tradition)

Set in the Persian court, Esther tells how a Jewish orphan becomes queen and, at the risk of her life, foils Haman's plot to exterminate her people. God is never named, yet his providence pervades the story, remembered ever after in the feast of Purim.

Historical setting: Still scattered across the Persian Empire, the Jews who did not return from exile.

Chronological placement: Set during the reign of Xerxes (c. 483–473 BC), in the gap between the two returns described in Ezra 6 and Ezra 7.

Key themes

God's hidden providence
Courage
For such a time as this
Deliverance of the Jews
The feast of Purim

Key events

King Xerxes deposes Queen Vashti for refusing to appear before his guests Esth 1483 BC
Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, is chosen as the new queen Esth 2479 BC
Mordecai uncovers a plot to assassinate the king Esth 2479 BC
Haman, enraged at Mordecai, plots to destroy all the Jews of the empire Esth 3474 BC
Mordecai urges Esther to act "for such a time as this" Esth 4474 BC
Esther risks her life to invite the king and Haman to a private banquet Esth 5474 BC
The king honors Mordecai; Esther exposes Haman, who is hanged on his own gallows Esth 6–7474 BC
The Jews are allowed to defend themselves and are delivered; the feast of Purim is established Esth 8–9473 BC

Key lessons

God’s providence works even when he seems absent; his name never appears in Esther, yet his hand is unmistakable in every timely “coincidence” that saves his people. Esth 6:1
God positions people for purposes larger than themselves, and there are moments when courage, not caution, is the faithful choice, whatever the risk. Esth 4:16
Evil often recoils on itself under God’s justice; Haman is hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai. Esth 7:10

“and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:14 KJV

Critical scholarship view

Where mainstream critical scholarship dates or attributes this book differently from the traditional view above.

Written: c. 4th–3rd century BC
Author: Anonymous, c. 4th century BC