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Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah: Persian Period and Restoration

  1. Lesson One
    Diaspora Stories (Esther 1–7)
    16 Activities
  2. Lesson Two
    Overview of Esther (Esther 8–10)
    14 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    The Character of Esther (Esther Review)
    14 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Ezra
    15 Activities
  5. Lesson Five
    Nehemiah
    17 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

The historicity of Esther has been a subject of intense debate. Elements of Esther reflect, in a general way, what we know about Xerxes and the way the Persian Empire conducted business. Let’s look at some of the passages from Esther and compare them with what we know about the Persians through the Greek historian Herodotus. 

Reference: Karen H. Jobes, “Esther 2: Extrabiblical Background,” in Dictionary of the Old Testament Wisdom, Poetry, and Writings, edited by Tremper Longman III and Peter Enns, 2008, pp. 170-75.

Read Herodotus 1.99; 3.77; 3.84.

(Note: The first digit is the book number and second number is the section. For example, for 1.99, navigate down to section 99 in book 1. You can navigate in this Perseus database by using the search bar on the left hand side of the page.)

Read Esther 1:13-14; 4:11 below.

Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom. Esther 1:13-14 NIV

 

All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king. Esther 4:11 NIV

  1. Record your observations of how people approach the king in Esther and Herodotus. Note the number of close advisors and the nature of how they approach the king.

Read Herodotus 7.34 and 7.35.

  1. Compare the fear Esther showed at the thought of approaching Xerxes (Esther 4:11) and the response of Xerxes when his bridge was destroyed by a storm. Read Herodotus 7.34-35.

Read Herodotus 8:85.

  1. Note the tendency of writing down the deeds of those people who have served the empire in an extraordinary way. How does this show up in Esther also?

Read Herodotus 8.98.

  1. Note the speed and effectiveness of the messaging system in Herodotus. What do we hear about in Esther that reflects an effective messaging system?
  1. So what do you make of these comparisons? How convincing are they to you as evidence for the historicity of Esther?