The Bible Study Reading PlanSample

ESTHER

AUTHOR:

I have absolutely no idea who wrote the book of Esther and neither does anybody else. There is a chance that it was Mordecai himself, but an unknown Persian Jew may seem more reasonable.

DATE:

The book of Esther was most likely written shortly after the events occurred, around 460 BC.

AUDIENCE:

Esther was written to the Israelites that remained under Persian control and were familiar with the recorded events.

REASON:

The reason that Esther was written was to record the origin of Purim and to show that God was still involved with the Jews who remained in exile.

THEME:
Saving God's people.

KEY VERSE:
"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (4:14 ESV)

SPLIT:
Esther Becomes Queen (1-2), Threat Against the Jews (3-4), Victory of the Jews (5-10)

KEY WORDS:
Queen, Jew, Banquet, Decree