Book of Esther Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on the Biblical Story

Study Notes

The Book of Esther

Introduction

The Book of Esther is a historical narrative found within the Ketuvim, or Writings, of the Hebrew Bible. It is also included in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is believed to have been written around the same time as the Babylonian exile, possibly as late as the first half of the second century BCE. Despite not explicitly mentioning God, the Book of Esther demonstrates the providence of God, particularly regarding His chosen people, Israel.

Background

The Book of Esther recounts the story of Purim, a holiday celebrating the salvation of the Jews from Haman's plan to annihilate them. Set in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), the narrative revolves around Esther, a Jewish queen who marries the king after Queen Vashti fails to comply with his demand to attend a royal banquet. Esther and her cousin Mordecai play pivotal roles in preventing the mass slaughter of Jews across the empire by convincing Ahasuerus to revoke Haman's order.

Plot Summary

In the beginning of the book, King Ahasuerus casts lots (Purim) to determine the day of a planned Massacre of Jews. Mordecai, Esther's cousin and adoptive father, foils an attempt to kill the king and saves his life. Haman, the villainous prime minister, becomes enraged when Mordecai refuses to bow down to him and seeks revenge against Mordecai and all Jews in the kingdom. With the assistance of Esther, Mordecai advises her to approach the king and appeal for the safety of her people. Esther's fasting and prayer lead to her successfully pleading on behalf of the Jews with King Ahasuerus, who reverses Haman's order of destruction. As a result, Mordecai becomes the prime minister himself, and Esther saves her people from genocide.

Significance and Themes

The Book of Esther emphasizes the providence of God working behind the scenes to protect His people, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned. The story highlights themes such as courage, loyalty, and prayerful intervention in times of crisis. It also showcases the struggle between good and evil, as well as the importance of standing up for one's beliefs despite potential danger. Finally, the book teaches about the power of unity and resilience among communities under threat, demonstrated by the establishment of the feast of Purim to commemorate their deliverance.

In conclusion, the Book of Esther is an enlightening narrative that portrays the intricate workings of God's providence in protecting His people, even amidst difficult circumstances. The themes of courage, loyalty, and faithfulness resonate with readers across different cultures and time periods.

Description

Test your knowledge on the historical narrative of the Book of Esther from the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. Explore key characters, plot details, and overarching themes such as divine providence, courage, and loyalty. Challenge yourself with questions about the significance of events within the story and their relevance to readers of different backgrounds.