Esther tells how a young Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia risks her life to save her people from a decree of extermination. It gave rise to the Jewish feast of Purim.
AuthorUnknown Jewish author; Greek additions
DateSet in Persia, 5th century BC; written 4th-2nd century BC
AudienceJews of the diaspora
🎯 Learning objective
Understand the message of Esther, its historical setting and its place in the history of salvation.
🏛️ Historical context
The Jews lived scattered throughout the Persian empire. The Catholic text includes Greek (deuterocanonical) passages, such as the prayers of Mordecai and Esther, that make faith in God explicit.
🔙 Background
King Ahasuerus chooses Esther, Mordecai's niece, as queen. The minister Haman, offended by Mordecai, obtains a decree to wipe out all the Jews.
🧭 Structure of the book
Chapters 1-2: Esther becomes queen
Chapters 3-5: Haman's plot and Esther's prayer
Chapters 6-10: Haman's fall, the Jews saved and the feast of Purim
⭐ Key events and teachings
1Esther is chosen queen (ch. 2)
2Haman's decree against the Jews (ch. 3)
3"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (4:14)
4Esther's prayer before going to the king
5Haman's fall and the people saved; feast of Purim (ch. 7-9)
🏷️ Main themes
Hidden providenceCourageIntercessionFasting and prayer
📖 Verses to memorize
Esther 4:14For if thou wilt now hold thy peace, the Jews shall be delivered by some other occasion: and thou, and thy father's house shall perish. And who knoweth whether thou art not therefore come to the kingdom, that thou mightest be ready in such a time as this?
Esther 4:16Go, and gather together all the Jews whom thou shalt find in Susan, and pray ye for me. Neither eat nor drink for three days and three nights: and I with my handmaids will fast in like manner, and then I will go in to the king, against the law, not being called, and expose myself to death and to danger.
Esther 7:3Then she answered: If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please thee, give me my life for which I ask, and my people for which I request.
Esther 8:16But to the Jews, a new light seemed to rise, joy, honour, and dancing.
Esther 9:22Because on those days the Jews revenged themselves of their enemies, and their mourning and sorrow were turned into mirth and joy, and that these should be days of feasting and gladness, in which they should send one to another portions of meats, and should give gifts to the poor.
💭 For reflection
For what "time as this" has God placed me where I am?
Why is Esther compared to Mary the intercessor?
It tells how Esther, a young Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia, risks her life to save her people from a plan of extermination. The feast of Purim recalls this deliverance.