last update May 12, 2001. Notes by Linda Monyak

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Topics

Review "invitation" aspects of Esther: Esther Invites us to play with biblical texts

How biblical texts are evoked

Author's purpose in evoking biblical texts

Creation themes in Esther

"The good day" in Esther

The number 7 in Esther

"The word of the King" in Esther 

The words of others in Esther

Appearances in Esther

Creation Narrative

Passover in Esther -- General Observations 

Use of Verb - To Pass Over (rbU) in Esther

Horses in Esther and Passover Narratives

Review "invitation" aspects of Esther: Esther Invites us to play with biblical texts

uFarcical nature sets the tone of serious fun

uComparable to an ancient "Rocky and Bulwinkle Show" with its Fractured Fairy Tales

-We get the author's point because we know the real "fairy tale" so well

uEsther's author demonstrates a breadth of knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures

-Creation

-Passover

-Stories of Joseph and Abigail

-Monarchy and power issues in the Bible

-Wisdom issues in the Bible

uEsther's author deomonstrates a knowledge of the sacred myths of the surrounding cultures

-Ishtar

-Marduk

How biblical texts are evoked

uCertain key phrases

-"A good day" ( bot moyh^ ) - associated primarily with creation narrative

-"To send a hand against" ( _B+ dy* t^l)v+l] ) - associated with creation text, other exilic narratives, and Psalms describing God's salvific action

uCertain numbers and dates

uKey elements of the story such as the gallows / tree, ubiquitous horses, and wise men as consultants

uKey themes of law and power

Author's purpose in evoking biblical texts

uReminds the Hebrew reader of their textual tradition without even mentioning God

uAddresses serious religious questions in the secular language of an assimilated people

uReminds the Hebrew / Jewish reader of their identity as God's people, even when they may appear to be just as pagan as anyone else in their neighborhood

Creation themes in Esther

uShared key phrases

-The good day

-By a word of the king

-To send or stretch out a hand

-Good to look at

uShared elements

-Number 7

-Prominence of tree in narrative of fall

"The good day" in Esther

uAppears in Esther 8:17, 9:19, and 9:22

uThe good day is a holiday

uNotion of rest is associated with the holiday in Esther 9:17 (Suggesting a new creation)

uDeath, annihilation and extermination become feasting, joy, gifts of food for neighbors, and almsgiving

uNo possibilities become possibilities even in exile

The number 7 in Esther

uKing's banquet lasts 7 days (Esth 1:5)

uOn 7th day of banquet, king commands 7 eunuchs to bring Vashti before the banquet guests (Esth 1:10)

uKing consults with 7 Persian princes to decide what to do about Vashti (Esth 1:13-14)

uEsther's special position vis a vis Hegai includes the selection of 7 maidens (Esth 2:9)

uEsther's night with the king occurs in the 7th year of his reign (Esth 2:16)

uKing gives a holiday or rest to his people in the 7th year of his reign to celebrate Esther's coronation (Esth 2:18)  (Note:  this is hj*n(h& not tb^v* - LV translates this requires or rest while KJV, RSV follow the LXX in translating this as a remission of taxes)

"The word of the King" in Esther 

uVashti refuses to come "on a word of the king" (Esth 1:12)

-Followed by "a royal word"  which forbids Vashti to come into the king's presence (Esth 1:19)

uBeautiful maidens are gathered because of the king's word (Esth 2:8)

uHaman's edict becomes synonomous with "the word of the king" (Esth 3:15)

-Distribution of this very "word of the king" causes great mourning among the Jews of the kingdom (Esth 4:3)

uEsther promises to "do according to the word of the king"  if the king will come to her banquet (Esth 5:8)

uMordecai's edict becomes "the word of the king" which the royal messengers carry (Esth 8:14)

-This "word of the king" causes great rejoicing and reverses the situation of the Jews (Esth 8:17 & 9:1)

-What is the result of the word of King Ahasuerus, his law?  Mainly loss of life

The words of others in Esther

uHaman's words accomplish the reverse of his intentions - his advice on how to honor someone is used for Mordecai (Esth 6:10)

uMordecai's words have weight with palace officials other than Haman (Esth 3:4)

uAfter Haman's edict, Hathach reports Mordecai's words to Esther (Esth 4:9)

uHarbona reminds the king that it was "Mordecai who spoke for the good of the king" (Esth 7:9)

uEsther's words are reported to Mordecai after Haman's edict (Esth 4:12)

uMordecai does all that Esther commands of him (Esth 4:17)

uKing hurries Haman "to do the word of Esther" (Esth 5:5)

Appearances in Esther

uVashti, the gathered virgins, and Esther are "good to look at"  (Esth 1:11, 2:2-3, &7)

uMaiden to replace Vashti will be the one "who is most pleasing in the eyes of the king" (Esth 2:4)

-The plan itself is said to be "pleasing in the eyes of the king"

uEsther is "pleasing in his(Hegai's) eyes)" - translate this as the eyes of the king (Esth 8:5)

uHaman is told to do what "is good in your eyes" (Esth 3:11)

uEsther and Mordecai are to write "as seems good in your eyes" (Esth 8:8)

Creation Narrative

uCreation takes 7 days, culminating with a day of rest for God on the 7th day

uFirst day - light is good 

-On third, fourth, fifth, and sixth days - God declares what he sees to be good - this declaration is followed by numbering the day

uGod speaks creation into existence - bringing an abundance of life

uFruit of the forbidden tree in the garden is "a delight to the eyes"

uTree in the garden plays a role in the fall of humanity while the gallows tree of Haman culminates in his downfall

Passover in Esther -- General Observations 

uHaman issues his edict on the 13th of Nisan, the day before Passover (Esth 3:7, Lev 23:5)

uBoth are stories of liberation

uHeroine/Heroes of both stories share similarities

-Names reflect the culture of the oppressor:  Moses is Egyptian, Esther and Mordecai are Persian

-Partnership is essential:  Moses needs Aaron, Esther needs Mordecai

-Both Moses and Esther express an initial reluctance to undertake their task

uHebrew verb for passing over is used frequently in Esther

-God passes over to "smite the Egyptians" 

-Israelites pass through the Red Sea

uHorses play an important supporting role in both narratives

uBoth King Ahasuerus (and Haman) and Pharoah consult with wise men (Esth 1:13, 6:13, Ex 1:10 & 7:11)

Use of Verb - To Pass Over (rbU) in Esther

uThe laws of the Persians and Medes may not be passed over" (Esth 1:19)

uKing's servants ask Mordecai, "Why are you passing over the command of the king?" (Esth 3:3) (A signal that this contest is not just Mordecai vs Haman but Mordecai vs the king - Recalls the contest of God with Pharoah)

uMordecai passes through the city after speaking with Esther (Esth 4:17) (Can be simply the apparent meaning of going on to carry out Esther's commands - compare with God's actions in Ex 12:12 and 12:23)

uKing's signet ring passes over from Haman to Mordecai (Esth 8:2)

uEsther pleads with the king to pass over Haman's evil plan (Esth 8:3) (Note brief interlude between Esther plea for her life and this new request - & that earlier request specifically states that Esther wouldn't bother the king if this were only a matter of slavery for her people - 7:4 - also the scheme to be avoided was devised the day before Passover - Read pp 22 & 23 of thesis)

uObservation of Purim is not to be passed over (Esth 9:27 & 28)

Horses in Esther and Passover Narratives

uHorses are a major part of Haman's scheme to gain public recognition - Poor Haman, he just wants to go horseback riding - on one of the king's favorite mounts (Esth 6:8) (Note:  discussion of who is wearing the crown here)

-Position of the king is equated with the king's clothing and his royal steeds

-Compare with honor given to Joseph (Gen 41:43)

uHorses as the backbone of Persian Pony Express (Esth 8:10)

uCity of Susa acts like a horse - it neighs (Esth 8:15)

uHorses part of livestock wiped out by pestilence (Ex 9:3)

Pharaoh's power is represented in part by the horses and chariots which he commands in pursuit of the Israelites (Ex 14:9)

Pharaoh's horses wind up at the bottom of the Red Sea (Ex 14:23)

uGod's victory over Pharoah is depicted in terms of "throwing horse and rider into the sea" (Ex 15:1, 19, & 21)

uOther biblical texts equate God's victory over the Egyptians with defeat of horses (Deut 11:4)

uProphets denounce Israel for relying on Egypt and her horses instead of God (Is 31:1, Ezek 17:15)

uSo ... Esther's author expects the audience to understand that the Persians are just Egyptians in disguise