Esther, The Book of

a book of the OT that relates the story behind the Jewish festival of Purim, which celebrates the deliverance of Jews in the eastern Dispersion from a pogrom.

Outline of Contents

Esther

I. Introduction to the Persian court and king (Esth 1:1-22)

A. Ahasuerus’s feast (Esth 1:1-4)

B. The king’s second feast and command to Vashti (Esth 1:5-11)

C. Vashti’s refusal and banishment (Esth 1:12-22)

II. Esther becomes Ahasuerus’s queen (Esth 2:1-23)

A. The king searches for Vashti’s replacement (Esth 2:1-5)

B. Mordecai instructs Esther (Esth 2:6-11)

C. Esther becomes queen (Esth 2:12-18)

D. Mordecai uncovers a plot against the king (Esth 2:19-23)

III. Elevation of Haman and his plans to destroy the Jews (Esth 3:1-15)

A. Conflict between Haman and Mordecai (Esth 3:1-6).

B. Royal approval for and determination of the day for the pogrom (Esth 3:7-15)

IV. Haman’s plot is thwarted (Esth 4:1-8:2)

A. Mordecai stirs Esther to action (Esth 4:1-17)

B. Esther appears unsummoned before the king and her first soiree (Esth 5:1-8)

C. Events of a fateful night (Esth 5:9-6:14)

1. Haman’s scheme to hang Mordecai (Esth 5:9-14)

2. Royal insomnia (Esth 6:1-6)

3. Advice on how to rectify an oversight (Esth 6:7-9)

4. Mordecai’s reward and Haman’s shame (Esth 6:10-14)

D. Esther’s second soiree (Esth 7:1-8:2)

1. Haman’s plot is revealed to the king (Esth 7:1-6)

2. Haman is hanged (Esth 7:7-10)

3. Mordecai is given Haman’s office and estate (Esth 8:1-2)

V. The pogrom is prevented (Esth 8:3-10:3)

A. An edict allows Jews to defend themselves (Esth 8:3-17)

B. The Jews are victorious (Esth 9:1-15)

C. Letters fix the celebration of Purim (Esth 9:16-23)

VI. Summary of a happy resolution (Esth 10:1-3)