Old Testament
Book of Esther
Esther becomes queen of Persia and learns of a plot to destroy the Jews. She risks her life to speak to the king, and the plan is turned back. God is never named, yet his care runs through the story.
At a glance
Esther key facts
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Chapters
- 10
- Author
- Not named in the text; Jewish tradition suggests Mordecai or later scribes
- When it was written
- Set in the Persian period; written probably in the 5th century BC
- Main theme
- God's quiet care for his people, even when he is not named
- Key verse
- Esther 4:14
Summary
What is Esther about?
Esther becomes queen of Persia and learns of a plot to destroy the Jews. She risks her life to speak to the king, and the plan is turned back. God is never named, yet his care runs through the story.
Key verse
A key verse in Esther
“For if you altogether hold your peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but you and your father's house shall be destroyed: and who knows whether you are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
10 chapters
Esther chapters
Read any chapter of Esther in full, with verse-by-verse links.
Questions
Esther: common questions
Who wrote the book of Esther?
Not named in the text; Jewish tradition suggests Mordecai or later scribes.
When was Esther written?
Set in the Persian period; written probably in the 5th century BC.
What is the book of Esther about?
Esther becomes queen of Persia and learns of a plot to destroy the Jews. She risks her life to speak to the king, and the plan is turned back. God is never named, yet his care runs through the story.
How many chapters are in Esther?
Esther has 10 chapters, in the Old Testament.
What is a key verse in Esther?
Esther 4:14: “For if you altogether hold your peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but you and your father's house shall be destroyed: and who knows whether you are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (KJV).
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