BIBL3707E: Textual Analysis of the Book of Esther

Abstract

This course is a textual analysis of the book of Esther, which gives an account of the great deliverance of the Jewish people during the reign of King Achashverosh in the Persian Empire. The story was written down so that the Jewish people could read about the amazing turn of events every year on the holiday of Purim, the anniversary of the Jews’ victory over their enemies. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of the characteristics of King Achashverosh and Vashti, Esther and Mordechai, the heroine and the hero of the Purim story, Haman with his evil scheme to wipe out the entire Jews of the Persian Empire. Among the many features of this book, we will discuss, the idea of Hester Panim, Hashem’s providence and his love for the Jewish people, Esther’s courage and selflessness as well as many powerful and relevant life lessons for a Jew while living in exile. The approaches of some of the classic and contemporary exegetes and thinkers on the book of Esther will be considered.