What is chapter 3 of Esther about?
Chapters 3 to 8 contain the nine scenes that form the complication in the book. This chapter introduces Haman the Agagite, who is linked by his genealogy to King Agag, the enemy of Israel's King Saul, from whose father, Kish, Mordecai was descended (Esther 2:5–6).
What does Esther 4 talk about?
Esther 4 is a sad chapter. It presents the reaction of the Jews (4:1–3) upon discovering that an edict had been written with instructions “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, from young to old, children and women, on a single day” (3:12–13).
What is the moral of the story of Esther?
The moral of the Story of Esther, for children, is to always do the right thing, using the influence you possess to help others as Esther does in the story. Esther was a noble biblical figure, who when called by God, saved the Jewish people of Persia.
What was Esther's request?
Then the king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you." "If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him."
What are the qualities of Esther in the Bible?
Contents hide2.1 Esther Submitted to God.2.2 Esther Had Wisdom.2.3 Esther Never Abused Her Authority.2.4 Esther Loved God.2.5 Esther's Faith Was Strong.2.6 Esther Displayed courage.2.7 Esther Showed humility.2.8 Esther Had Patience.More items...•
Why was Esther chosen?
In the Achaemenid Empire, the Persian king Ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, Vashti, is deposed for disobeying him. Hadassah, a Jewess who goes by the name of Esther, is chosen to fulfill this role due to her beauty.
Why is the book of Esther so important?
The purpose of the Book of Esther is open to different interpretations. It can be understood as commending human responsibility instead of misguided dependence on God: the Jews in the book must take matters into their own hands to preserve their existence, rather than wait for God to act.
What is the spiritual meaning of Esther?
Biblical Names Meaning: In Biblical Names the meaning of the name Esther is: Secret, hidden.
What does Esther symbolize in the Bible?
Although Esther is the queen of a Gentile nation, she is a Jew by birth. Hadassah, Esther's Hebrew name, means “myrtle,” like an evergreen; myrtle symbolizes peace, joy, generosity, and justice. Her Persian name, Esther, means “the star.” Biblically speaking, God uses his stars.
Why did Esther delay her request?
In Esther's acumen, the king has prematurely reiterated his invitation which thereby had resulted in an environ-ment not conducive for her intended plea bargain; in other words, "Queen Esther wants to delay until such time as the king, under the influence of wine, is in a good mood and willing to comply with her wishes ...
How did Esther show courage?
Many centuries after her death, Esther remains an example of bravery. She faced fear and did what was right and God was faithful. Through his word, our God still offers us hope, demonstrates his faithfulness and urges us to be brave.
What did the king promise Esther?
Esther was immediately successful in her approach: the king extended his scepter as a sign of clemency and promised to grant her wish up to half of his kingdom.
What does "to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews" mean?
To destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day: With this, an empire-wide death sentence on the Jews was announced by the king. This was like other attacks against the Jewish people in history, except that it was announced well in advance. b.
Who said there is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus , “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain.
What does Haman determine to destroy?
A. Haman determines to destroy the Jews. 1. (1) Haman’s promotion. After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. a.
What does the wounded pride of Haman drive him to seek retribution against?
3. (4-6) The wounded pride of Haman drives him to seek retribution against not only Mordecai and his people – the Jews. Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai ’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.
What does Esther 3:13 mean?
Esther 3:13 “And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, [even] upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey.”.
What chapter does Esther say "after these things"?
“After these things”: Sometime between the seventh (2:16), and twelfth year (3:7), of the king’s reign. “The phrase “after these things” suggests that about four years had passed since Esther became queen.
What is the first month of Esther 3:7?
Esther 3:7 “In the first month, that [is], the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that [is], the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, [to] the twelfth [month], that [is], the month Adar .”. According to many the subject of the origin of the Feast of Purim (lots), is the main theme of the book.
Why did Xerxes offer money to Haman?
Possibly to avoid the appearance of greed, Xerxes offered money to Haman. The king’s utter indifference to the fate of millions of his subjects has found modern parallels in Hitler, Stalin, and Khrushchev.
What is the reference to the Agagite?
The reference to the “Agagite” is reminiscent of the story (in 1 Samuel 15), when Saul is reprimanded for sparing King Agag. Later one of his descendants killed Saul (note Exodus 17:8-. 16; Deut. 25:17-19; 1 Chron. 4:43). Haman was like his predecessors in that they “feared not God” (Deut. 25:18).
What does Esther 3:2-6 mean?
Esther 3:2-6 All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him . But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. (3) Then the royal officials at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?".
Who is the God of Israel in the book of Esther?
Obviously it is not Haman's 'gods' guiding the lot here at all. It is Yahweh, the God of Israel! It is worth pointing out that this is one of the many times in the book of Esther that we see the invisible hand of God working to protect and help His people Israel. As He does for you and I today!
What is the conflict between Haman and Mordecai?
Thus, the conflict here between Haman and Mordecai gives us a glimpse of that which battles in our own hearts - the conflict between flesh and spirit. This battle may be internal and unseen to those around us, yet it is as real as the conflict that we see brewing in these first verses in Esther chapter 3. Mordecai then, is a picture of the Holy ...
Who was honored in Est 3:1?
Est 3:1 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. Throughout this whole book we shall see that king Xerxes, unfortunately, is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
What prophecy did Jesus warn the Jews in Judea?
In a very sobering prophecy Jesus directly warned the Jews in Judea (and indirectly all believers on earth at that time) to flee for their lives when they see the 'abomination of desolation' for ' then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-- and never to be equaled again.
(8-9) Haman’s Proposal to King Ahasuerus.
(10-11) The King Agrees to The Plan.
- So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. And the king said to Haman, “The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you.” a. The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you: Again, king Ahasuerus probab...
(12-15) The Decree Is published.
- Then the king’s scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded; to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province according to its script, and to every people in their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with th…