esther chapter two

Esther Chapter 2 Esther 2:1 “After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus

was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.”

Full Answer

What is the second chapter of Esther about?

This chapter introduces Mordecai and his adoptive daughter, Esther, whose beauty won the approval of the king Ahasuerus, and she was crowned the queen of Persia (verse 17).

What is the main message of the book of Esther?

The story of Esther proves that God's action is unceasing, and that God is always speaking! Integral to the story of Esther is that God works through events and speaks through people!

What is the chapter of Esther about?

Esther, the beautiful Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), and her cousin Mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general annihilation of Jews throughout the empire. The massacre had been plotted by the king's chief minister, Haman, and the date decided by casting lots (purim).

What was the purification of Esther?

Esther's Days of Purification is found in Esther 2:12 as she was prepared for the King with six months of oil of myrrh and six months of sweet spices. As you can see, Scripture gives us very little information about the spices and oils used to transform Esther from an orphan girl to a bride fit for a king.

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.

Who is the most important character in the Book of Esther?

Esther is the heroine, the main character. That's obvious, given that the book is named after her (though she gets about the same amount of stage time as some of the other major characters like Ahasuerus, Haman, and Mordecai).

What does Esther represent 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 fast for 3 days?

Fasting in the Book of Esther The 13th of Adar itself is thought to have been a fast day for the warriors while going out to battle, as it is believed to have been customary to fast during the battle in order to gain divine favor.

What is the meaning of Esther?

Hide, ConcealEsther (given name)The Biblical Queen Esther depicted in a portrait by John Everett Millais.GenderFemaleOriginWord/nameHebrewMeaningHide, Conceal

What beauty treatments did Esther do?

Esther used myrrh for 6 months as a part of her beauty treatments. Myrrh not only brings nutrients for the skin, but has an emotional, balancing effect. 1* As proven by science, inhalation and topical application of myrrh impacts the emotional part of the brain and may help one feel more calm and confident.

What does oil of myrrh represent?

In the Bible, Myrrh was commonly used as an anointing oil while Frankincense was commonly used as a perfume. Frankincense which is an incense is a symbol of deity while myrrh as an embalming oil is used as a symbol of death. Both gifts, along with gold were gifts presented to kings at that time.

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...•

What is the meaning of Esther 2:13?

During this time she was probably taught the duties of the queen as well. Esther 2:13 “Then thus came [every] maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.”.

What does Esther 2:18 mean?

Esther 2:18 “Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, [even] Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.”. Esther was not in any position to influence her success.

Why was Mordecai allowed to walk before the court of the women?

He was allowed to walk before the court of the women, because he wanted to find out about Esther and what would become of her. Verses 12-15: The women had “twelve months” of “Purifications” before their brief audience with the king.

Where did the name Esther come from?

Most scholars believe that the name “Esther” originates from a Babylonian deity, Ishtar. “Esther” was the Jewish queen of the Persian king, Ahasuerus (Xerxes). She saved her people, the Jews, from a plot to annihilate them. Esther was a daughter of Abihail (verse 15; 9:29), and a cousin of Mordecai (verses 7-15).

Why did the King announce the feast of Esther?

The king announced this feast to celebrate Esther’s becoming queen. He sent gifts and released the provinces from taxes and fighting in war, for a time to celebrate his queen. Verses 19-23: The “second time” evidently was another occasion when the king added to his harem, after Esther had been made queen.

When did Esther become queen?

Esther became queen in December 479 B.C. (verse 16), and more than a year must have elapsed between the decree of verse 3 (verse 12), and her marriage. The king may have first become attracted to Vashti while he was still waging his great campaigns against Greece.

Who is Mordecai in Esther 2?

Esther 2:5 “ [Now] in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name [was] Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;”. “Mordecai” is the hero of the Book of Esther. He was a resident of Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital during the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), the king of Persia (ruled 485 – 465 B.C.).

Why is the book of Esther criticized?

This book has been criticized because it does not mention the name of God (as neither does the Song of Solomon). i.

What does Esther conceal in the Bible?

2. (10-11) Esther conceals her Jewish identity. Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her. a.

What did Ahasuerus say to Vashti?

After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king; and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women’s quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women. And let beauty preparations be given them. Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This thing pleased the king, and he did so.

Where was Esther taken into the harem?

3. (8) Esther is taken into the king’s harem. So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. a.

How long did it take for a woman to prepare for King Ahasuerus?

Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.

Who was the custodian of the women?

Into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women: Hegai was the king’s eunuch ( Esther 2:3 ), a man entrusted with the oversight of the king’s harem for obvious reasons. i. According to Baldwin, Hegai is specifically mentioned by the Greek historian Herodotus as being an officer of king Ahasuerus.

Who was chosen as queen in the Bible?

4. (15-18) Esther is selected as queen. Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised.

Who took Esther into his house?

And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

What did Ahasuerus say to Vashti?

2 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

Who were the two chamberlains in the king's gate?

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.

Who was the Jew in Shushan?

5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

Who was Esther taken to?

Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. 9 She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food.

Who was Esther when she asked to go to the King?

She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name. 15 When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested.

Why did Mordecai not reveal Esther's nationality?

10 Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.

What month was Esther taken to Xerxes?

16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins.

What did Xerxes say to Vashti?

1 Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. 2 Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women ...

Who was the king who was assassinated by Teresh?

and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.

Who was the Jew of the tribe of Benjamin?

5 Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, 6 who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin. a.

Where is Esther 2:5-7?

Esther 2:5-7 Now there was at the citadel in Susa a Jew whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, (6) who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been exiled with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had exiled. (7) He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had no father or mother. Now the young lady was beautiful of form and face, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

What is the gospel of Esther and the bride of Christ?

The gospel illustration in this soon becomes apparent. Believers in Jesus Christ are said to be espoused to Jesus Christ, the king of Kings. The marriage takes place after the second coming of Jesus Christ when His kingdom is established on earth.

How long did Esther and the other contests take?

And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her. So Esther and the other 'contests' were given one year of preparation after which they were called by name to come before the king. And what a year it was! Six months of oil of myrrh treatments... six months of spices and cosmetic treatment...

Why did Esther find grace and favour with the king?

( Psalm 75:6-7 ) Esther found grace and favour with the king because God was working behind the scenes to move the chess pieces into place for the challenging events that were still to come in this story.

Who kept Esther's nationality secret?

Esther, who at the instruction of Mordecai kept her nationality secret, quickly pleases the king and is given further gifts of food, cosmetics and personal staff that would help to make her even more beautiful in view of her final presentation before the king.

What is the sevenfold Spirit?

It is the word of God that informs us of the will and ways of God. Instead of the seven maids that king Ahasuerus gave Esther, God has us the seven-fold Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth [3] and supply the inner strength required to perform the will of our king. Both are precious gifts!

What does Esther chapter 2 mean?

In our study of Esther chapter two, we look at how God allows some things to happen but that does not mean that He approves of them . This chapter demonstrates God's permissive will in that He will allow us to do things and will use them for good even though He doesn't like the things.

Why did Mordecai not reveal Esther's nationality?

Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so . Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.

How long did King Xerxes take to get her beauty treatments?

Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics.

How many maids did King Philip assign to the Harem?

The girl pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven maids selected from the king's palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.

Who was sitting at the king's gate when the virgins were assembled?

When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai 's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.