During that time in history, women were expected to obey whatever theirhusbands demanded. Asimov proposes an allegorical way of responding to the events of the Book of Esther. Esther was a young orphan who became the Persian queen. Xerxes, the Persian king, who is named Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther, dismissed his wife, the queen . The midrash tells that when Esther came to Ahasueruss palace the spirit of divine inspiration left her, and she then prayed to God. The Bible depicts Esther as an orphan who was raised in the house of her uncle Mordecai ().The A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). Also called the "Festival of Mazzot"; the "Festival of Spring"; Pesah.Passover. During the kings banquet, he summoned his queen wanting to show off her beauty to his guests, but she refused. After three days, Esther courageously put on her royal robes and stood in the place she might die. Rabbah6:11). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The Book of Esther does not say how old Esther was when she was taken to Ahasueruss palace; different midrashic traditions address this question. The relationship between Esther and King Ahasuerusmarked by affection, power dynamics, and strategic, Father / Grandfather / Minister / Missionary / Deacon / Elder / Author / "Paul to TimothyII Timothy 2: 2KJV, We have Ads Running on this site. He cast lots to determine the date of the genocide he intended to carry out. When Church Becomes Political:Between Prayer and Politics: 13 Truths: Who Married Ruth in the Bible? Each of these women shows the profound impact that faith and wisdom can have in influencing important decisions, especially in the leadership realm. And You, O Lord, bring success to this, Your poor handmaiden. 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. Esthers unique influence over the king eventually led him to reverse a royal edict, an unprecedented act, to save the Jewish people from annihilation. Codification of basic Jewish Oral Law; edited and arranged by R. Judah ha-Nasi c. 200 C.E. Little did she know that by the end of the day, she would be banished from the kingdom and her crown and title would be given to another woman. Esther, with her stunning beauty and the guidance of Hegai, the kings eunuch, made a lasting impression on the king. tradition - What was Esther's relationship to Mordecai? - Christianity Queen Vashti was his first wife, followed by Esther.Famous BattleLed the Persian forces at the Battle of Thermopylae and the Burning of Athens.ReligionLikely practiced Zoroastrianism, the state religion of Persia at that time.Depictions in BibleHe is depicted as the husband of Esther in the Book of Esther.LegacyKnown for his architectural projects, including the Gate of All Nations and Hall of Hundred Columns at Persepolis. They derive this from the various verses that reflect the thought of the characters, or that attest to actions of which a normal person could not be cognizant, such as Haman said to himself(Esth. Rabbah30:4). Esther saved her people by revealing her Jewish identity to her husband, King Ahasuerus, and exposing Hamans plot to annihilate the Jews in the Persian kingdom. Vashti held a banquet for the women. Often asked: Who Was Esther's Husband In The Bible? cit.). The midrash compares Esther to a hind and to the dawn, based onPs. Similarly, her son Benjamin knew about the sale of Joseph, but remained silent and did not tell his father. 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). King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, was a Persian king who reigned from 486-465 BC. Ahasuerus summoned the most beautiful girls of the kingdom to him, so that he could choose a new wife. Some historians suggest that perhaps the king wanted her to appear without clothing, only wearing the royal crown. Xerxes I (l. 519-465, r. 486-465 BCE), also known as Xerxes the Great, was the . But who exactly was Esther in the Bible husband? In this article, we will uncover the man behind the throne King Ahasuerus. The Rabbis even find proof that God concurred with the activity of Mordecai and Esther, since it is written(Esth. Esther responds by putting her hope in God and sends word to Mordecai for everyone to fast and pray for three days saying, If I die, I die(Esther 4:16). Judaism Did Esther meet a tragic end? Part 1. He is depicted as the husband of Esther in the Book of Esther. 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. She would no longer be queen. Haman, by the way, is another Babylonian name: Hamman was the chief male deity of the Elamites. This tradition results from the desire to equate Esthers age with that of Abraham when he left his native land forThe Land of IsraelErez Israel upon Gods command. Healing Prayers to Heal the Body, Mind, and Soul. The choices made by each person in this Scripture are unique and personal. According to the Babylonian tradition, she saw menstrual blood (BT Megillah15a). cit.). 22:26). These banquets were filled with drink and merriment. With her first request, she began a masterful plan that only God could have given her. Hadassah was taken and emerged as Esther, keeping her nationality a secret per Mordecais instructions. Vashti and Esther were two women who had important roles in history that determined the outcome for many. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister. 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. 2:22): and Esther reported it to the king in Mordecais name, from which the Rabbis learned that whoever properly attributes a statement brings redemption to the world, since, by merit of this act, the king wished to give honor and advancement to Mordecai, which began Hamans downfall (Codification of basic Jewish Oral Law; edited and arranged by R. Judah ha-Nasi c. 200 C.E.Mishnah Avot6:6). By Vashti choosing to make a firm choice of not standing in front of the guests, her fate had been decided. Is the United States Really Blessed by God? Mordecai was Abihails nephew. The king ruled over a sizable area of the world and wanted everyone to know. 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. Wait a moment and try again. After the kings fury subsided, a new plan was set in motion that altered Hadassahs life forever. As a result of her mothers death, Mordecai had to care for Esthers nursing. 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. Who is this woman and why does she have an entire book named after her? 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. Read the entire Scripture account of the life of Queen Esther in the Bible verses below and use the articles and videos to understand the meaning of this teachable event in the Bible:. In reference to her lineage, the Rabbis state that she continued the way of the members of her tribe: Rachel, Benjamin, and Saul(Gen. Rabbah71:35; see below: Esther Does Not Reveal Her Origins). Her passions are helping in the community and church. The relationship between Esther and King Ahasuerus, however, wasnt just about political machinations or survival strategies. After Esthers coronation, the king continues to gather virgins in his palace, which the Rabbis understand as an activity meant to reveal Esthers identity. Esther, who according to the midrash was one of the four most beautiful women in the world, was a married woman, the wife of Mordechai, but she nonetheless had sexual relations with another man,. However, the story behind it serves as a powerful reminder of Gods protection and deliverance. Why Was Vashti so Important in Esthers Story? Rabbah6:9). ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true}); King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, was a Persian king who reigned from 486465 BC. Due to Gods deliverance, Haman was executed, Mordecai was honored, and the Jews were empowered to defend themselves. Yes, there will always be questions and we will always have the opportunity to make the right choice or the wrong choice in life. Who Was Esther in the Bible? - Christianity Named in several books, including 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Isaiah, Cyrus is known for issuing the decree that allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple (Ezra 1:1-4). 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 shows that her selection was part of the divine plan; Esther was meant to rule in order to bring deliverance to all Israel (Lit. 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. 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. Although Esther had no control over what was happening to her, she took control of her responses with humility and grace. However, on the other hand, if she does nothing this is what Mordecai says will happen. 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. Women, especially queens, were often restricted in their roles and influence. Her story is recorded in the Old Testament book bearing her name. Her influence was primarily on her son, Jesus Christ. By reading Scripture and learning what people have experienced before us can help us to understand each other better. cit.). Little did she know, her future held a crown, a king for a husband, and a pivotal role in saving her people. We can find comfort in knowing that God is with us. The choices we have presented before us each day can help us have a personal relationship with God. 20). We take those $ and give them to developing our Children's Programs. Yet another tradition maintains that she was eighty years of age(Gen. Rabbah39:13;MidrashAbba Gurion, para. Who was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Unraveling the Mystery: What is the Meaning of Esther? Esth. It was only when Esther came that Ahasuerus removed the likeness of Vashti and replaced it with that of Esther (Esth. 10:3) was able to have interceded for the welfare of all his kindred (Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer, chap. Esth. 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. For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. However, the degree to which Esther was able to exercise her agency within this marriage is a topic of much debate among scholars. He issued a decree that allowed Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalems walls (Nehemiah 2:1-9). Would he forget about Vashti as the new queen took her place? The maiden was shapely and beautiful; and when her father and mother died, Mordechai adopted her as his own daughter. Weird Things You Didn't Know About Queen Esther - Grunge Both women were beautiful. In Jacobs blessing to his sons, he blesses Benjamin(Gen. 49:27): Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he consumes the foe, and in the evening he divides the spoil, which the Rabbis applied to Mordecai and Esther. Another tradition has Mordecais wife nursing the infant (Midrash Tehilim, onPs. This time, the guests were instructed to drink any amount they desired. The Book of Esther, although set in the Old Testament and primarily significant within the Jewish tradition, carries broad spiritual implications that resonate with Christian believers, reinforcing themes of divine providence, faith, courage, and deliverance. She recognizes that she needs to personally plead the king to save her people but knows this act is a grave transgression. Soon, Esther had the opportunity to stop trouble. 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. In disobeying the command of her husband to appear before the men, she had shamed the king before his people. She was of the tribe of Benjamin and lived during the time Israel was exiled. All rights reserved. But what made him marry Esther, a Jewish woman? Until Esther was chosen, no woman could compare with Vashti in beauty. Keep the money, the king said to Haman, and do with the people as you please (Esther 3:8-11). 12:2], 5:11). While Cambyses II is not directly named in the Bible, his reign occurred between the rule of Cyrus and Darius, during the period of the Jews return to Jerusalem. The name Esther is actually Persian or Babylonian in origin: the Jewish name of the character is Hadassah, as Esther 2:7 makes clear (Esther may be related to the name of the Semitic goddess Ishtar). Known for his architectural projects, including the Gate of All Nations and Hall of Hundred Columns at Persepolis. But the narrative was more complicated than a mere contest of beauty. Upon consulting the experts in law and justice, a royal decree was issued that changed everything. In another exposition, she was given this name by the Gentiles, after the celestial body Istahar (BTLit. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Aert de Gelder: Esther at Her Toilet Esther, heroine and central figure in the Book of Esther of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti. This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it(Esther 2:2-4). 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. cit.). King Ahasuerus gave the men permission to drink as they desired and without restraint. By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University), The Book of Esther has a surprising claim to fame: its the only book in the Bible in which the word God does not appear. 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.