ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal: Esther

Bible #17

by Anonymous

ESV Illuminated Scripture Journals  pair the entirety of individual books of the Bible with a lightly dotted blank page opposite each page of Bible text, providing space to creatively engage with and reflect on the Word of God. Hand-lettered, gold-ink illustrations by renowned artist Dana Tanamachi are interspersed throughout the blank pages, inviting readers to add their own artwork or reflections to each page. These thin, portable notebooks have unique covers stamped with gold-foil and are great for art journaling, personal Bible reading and prayer, small-group Bible study, or taking notes through a sermon series.

Genres: Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Classics, Christianity, Scripture, History

48 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esther is among the greatest heroines of the Bible. Though the book never explicitly mentions God--in fact, it's the only one in the Word that doesn't--if you read between the lines, you'll see Him on every page. It's no surprise that this story has gotten the celluloid treatment multiple times, from VeggieTales to One Night With the King. A dramatized audio version really helps it leap off the page.

[Diamond Cowboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shall give a full review at a later date.

[emily marie ٠࣪⭑ · Rating 5 out of 5]

˚｡⋆💗˚｡⋆Verses

🌸Esther 2:4: "And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so."

🌸Esther 2:17: "And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vasthi."

🌸Esther 3:2: "And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence."

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esther is truly one of the great characters in the Bible, and the way God crafted her story is nothing short of beautiful and miraculous. She has a wonderful testimony of gentleness and courage, and the Lord used her truly mighty ways.

“Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

[Grace Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

I love the book of Esther! It is so intriguing to me that God's name is never mentioned in the book, yet we can see His hand so clearly throughout!

[Arman]

کتاب استر درباره چيست

کتاب استر، داستان چگونه ملکه شدن استر را روایت می کند. در این میانه، هامان وزیر خشايارشاه که از مردخای (عموزاده ی استر) کینه به دل دارد، پادشاه را راضی می کند که دستور به قتل عام یهودیان دهد.
اما با هوشمندی استر و مردخای، آن ها رای خشايارشاه را عوض کرده، دستور باز پس گرفته شده و هامان دار زده می شود.

داستان یا تاریخ

اگرچه کتاب مشخصا به دوران پادشاهی خشايارشاه، تبعید یهودیان از اورشلیم و شوش، پايتخات زمستانه هخامنشیان اشاره دارد، اما هرگز نباید از منظری تاریخی به آن (و نه هیچ روایت و کتاب مقدس دیگری) نگریست.
روایت های دینی، فکت هاي تاریخی نیستند و نبایستی از این منظر خوانش و نقد شوند.
کتاب استر، يک درام تاریخی ست که بستر تاریخی مشخصی را بهانه ای می کند برای روایت یک داستان قهرمانی-تمثیلی خودش.
در اینجا نیز مانند جای جای کتاب مقدس، قوم یهود با مشقتی روبرو می گردد و قهرمانانی قومی با عنایت خداوند، بر آن و دشمانان شان فائق می آیند.

نسخه شناسی

از اين کتاب دو نسخه وجود دارد؛ یک نسخه عبری و نسخه ترجمه یونانی آن که دارای آیاتی اضافی می باشد.

روایت عبری(مورد تایید یهودیان و پروتستان ها)، تاکید زیادی بر قهرمانی استر و مردخاي دارد. اما در روایت یونانی که نزدیک ۵۰ بار از خدا نام برده می شود، کلیت کار را به خداوند نسبت می دهد و دو قهرمان یهودی را واسطه های خدا می داند(مورد تایید کلیسای رومی و ارتدوکس).

از منظر عبادی

کتاب استر را در شمار طومارهای عبادی می خوانند و گاهی به اختصار، طومار می خوانندش.
در پایان کتاب استر، یهودیان به پاس رهایی شان از خطر نسل کشی، عید پوریم را برپا می دارند و جشن می گیرند.
به همین دلیل، سنت بر این است که همه ساله یهودیان به قرائت کتاب استر می پردازند و به سفارش تلمود، آنقدر نوشخواري می کنند که نتوان "لعن فرستادن بر هامان" و "درود فرستادن بر مردخاي" را از هم تشخیص داد.

بنابر آنچه در وبلاگ کنيساي پل چوبی آمده، طومار را باید یکسره و بدون حرف زدن در میانش و بلند بلند خواند. هر زن و مرد یهودی موظف است به روخوانی طومار گوش فرا دهد، اگر در این میان، حواسش پرت شد یا خوابش برد، باید طومار را از ابتدا دوباره بخواند.

از منظر داستان پردازی

کتاب استر، آرامی هوشمندانه و ظریف می باشد. نویسنده به خوبی از آيرونی و عناصر متناظر (مثلا تناظر ضیافت ابتدایی و ضیافت پایانی آن) بهره برده، و در جای جای آن خواننده عنصر تعلیق را احساس می کند.
در نسخه یونانی، الهام روياگونه ی مردخای تصوير می شود که به لحاظ نمادپردازي و نشانه شناختی بسیار غنی و زیباست.


پ ن: پیروز سیار در کتاب "قانون ثانی"، ترجمه عبري را ارائه کرده و اضافات نسخه یونانی (مانند رویای مردخای) را با حروف ايتاليک مشخص کرده و در متن آورده است.
ترجمه فارسی مورد تایید يهوديان(بدون اضافات یونانی) را می توانید در وبلاگ کنیساي دل چوبی پیدا کنید.

پ ن2: به روال بقیه کتاب مقدس، به این کتاب هم امتیاز ندادم.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

In January 2015 I set myself the challenge to read the complete Bible within a year. I discovered that was an unrealistic challenge, and in fact haven't picked up my Bible since June 2015! It became so heavy going and somewhat depressing to read, so I kept putting it off.

The good news is that it was just a rather extended temporary avoidance, and as of today I am continuing my challenge to complete reading the Bible. I will do this!

However, I've decided not to put a time limit on it this time. I'll continue to read it regularly for as long as my interest remains, and if I need to take a break then so be it.

Esther is where my journey continues, and this was quite an interesting read.

[Shantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esther is actually quite an interesting historical account. I think I enjoyed it even more this time reading it, because of just having finished Esther: Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt! :)

But in any case, its a grand tale. God's name isn't mentioned (I think this is the only book of the Bible that it isn't); but you can definitely see evidence of His hand in how the story played out.

Obviously, there's a lot I can't understand in Old Testament books. Like the violence! But I know there was a reason for all that happened.

Read this short story of a common Jewish girl that rose to be queen and save her people! :)

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved the books of Esther and Ruth. The book of Esther has a very special place in my heart.

[nekah leigh (Jesus' version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esther is one of my favorite books in the Bible to read.So awesome how God used her to save her people!

Esther 4:14
“…and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

[Catherine]

Read for July's BOTM in NLBS. I love how this book highlights that God uses e v e r y b o d y, no matter past, age, ethnicity, social status, etc. Great reminder that I am so, so lucky, and I need to use the gifts I've been given for the glory of God:)

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the book of Esther. I can never get enough of how God used Esther and Mordecai in this time.

Esther 4:13-14 "Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Don not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
‭‭Esther‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esther is a beautiful story that demonstrates “If God is for you, who can be against you?”. I love how the hand of the Lord is portrayed through this book.

Esther is a book about honour vs dishonour, sacrificing your life for Gods people, pride and deliverance.

Definitely one of my favourites :)

[Isabella Leake]

Such an interesting book -- skillful in storytelling, unflagging in rhythm, with more sustained dramatic and comic force and a tighter plot following a single character and incident than any of the narrative books (Genesis, Ezra, Nehemiah, Matthew, Acts) I've been reading lately. All these other books seem pieced together from a series of stories or documents -- beautifully and artfully pieced, as in a skillful patchwork, the seams still showing and enhancing the whole. But Esther seems like a narrative cut and shaped from one single piece of cloth. There is an economy of character, incident, and setting; there is a lot of rich irony; the pace never lags or jumps ahead and leaves us trying to get our bearings. For all these reasons, I think it's more readable, closer to conforming to modern assumptions about literature than many a biblical book. It's a delight to read and ends up -- just like Ruth -- in scarcely more than the space of a vignette, providing a vivid picture of God's sovereignty and care. If you needed to explain the doctrine of Providence to a child, the story of Esther might be the most straightforward way.

[Jannia González · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows you how in a place which you think God is not in it...well He is. He is everywhere using the most unthinkable person to work for His purposes. What a great hope to know that God is with us wherever we go. We can't escape from Him.

I came to know that Mordechai is a big character in this book. The book ends by describing what was of Modecai. I found it very amazing to realize things that are not clearly told in the stories from Sunday school and that are very important to know.

[Adaelyn Lee Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

God's word will always be 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I really liked this book, it was more of a story then a lecture, which I enjoyed.

[BespectacledBookGirl]

ACOTAR of the Bible

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament! Esther's courage is always inspiring, and I'm challenged by Mordecai's humility. That said, I wonder if my favorite part isn't when the king asks Haman to give him advice on how to honor a worthy man. Haman assumes that the worthy man is himself, and he lists several things that would particularly satisfy his ego. To his chagrin, he finds out that Mordecai is the man the king wants to honor: and Haman had to lead Mordecai through the streets on the king's horse, calling out, "This is the man who the king delights to honor!" Is there a better illustration of "A haughty spirit [goes] before a fall"?

[Maida]

Re-read May 10, 2015

[that girl 🧋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite stories in the Bible ever since I was a little girl! Esther is so brave, and the story is so compelling. I love it just as much today as I did back then!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I also read the extended version of Esther which was interesting and gave the book a different feel.
I read the book of Esther alongside The Bible Binge podcast.

[Tintarella]

خشایارشا -که 127 استان با زبان‌ها و فرهنگ‌های متفاوت تحت سیطره‌اش بودند- به مناسبت سومین سال سلطنتش جشن برگزار می‌کنه و ته‌اش -وقتی پاتیلِ پاتیل بوده- از زنش می‌خواد بیاد و جلوی بقیه رُخ نشون بده که زنش قبول نمی‌کنه... پادشاه هم زنشو طرد می‌کنه و با مشورت وزرا و وکلا -از ترس این‌که: نکنه بقیه‌ی زن‌ها تو روی شوهراشون بلند شن؟- یه قانون جدید تصویب می‌کنند، به خط و زبون هر استانی می‌نویسن و می‌فرستن که: مردها باید رئیس خانه باشند!
بعد یه مدت فراخوانی بین تمام دختران امپراتوری پخش می‌شه و همه خوشگلاشونو می‌فرستن برای مسابقات انتخاب ملکه... شاه «اِستر» رو -که خواهرزاده‌ی مُردخای بوده- می‌پسنده بدون این‌که از اصالت یهودی‌ش خبر داشته باشه... یه مدت دیگه می‌گذره و یه روز هامان (نخست وزیر) که از مردخای خوشش نمیومده، به شاه پیشنهاد می‌ده که: بیا کار این قوم رو تموم کنیم. شاه قبول می‌کنه و قرعه‌کشی می‌کنند (پوریم) و روز 13‌ام ماه ادار (مثلاً 13 به در) به عنوان روز کشتار تعیین می‌شه. این وسط‌ها مردخای قضیه رو به استر می‌گه و استر جواب می‌ده: اون با من. لباس مخصوص می‌پوشه می‌ره پیش شاه، و طی صحنه‌ای شبیهِ قضیه‌ی سالومه (انجیل و اسکار وایلد) شاه می‌گه هرچی می‌خوای بخواه، حتی اگه نصف مملکتم باشه. استر می‌گه حکم رو عوض کن و شاه می‌گه نمی‌شه حکم رو عوض کرد ولی یه حکم جدید می‌نویسم که شما حق دفاع از خود دارین... نهایتاً مردخای هامان و ده پسرش رو می‌کشه، یهودیا تو همه‌ی شهرها بقیه رو از دم تیغ می‌گذرونند و یهوه خوشحال و خندان پیروزی قوم محبوب‌ش رو تماشا می‌کنه.

[Pablo (Cicatricesdelibros) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro corto y pocas veces citado y analizado y que lo hace pasar desapercibido y quizás, al leerlo en otro contexto, o sea el libro solo, no me habría fijado en estas cosas, pero al leer la biblia desde el comienzo, fue inevitable analizar más y encontré cosas fascinantes.

Primero que no se menciona a Dios en todo el relato, solo pocas costumbres judías (no todas). Esto es debido a que se lleva a cabo unos 100 años después del exilio de los judios y ahora establecidos en Persia, son un remanente olvidado que sólo se hace referencia acá.

Lo curioso es que aún así, aún lejos de todo lo que los ataba a Dios, éste aún los tiene en consideración y los protege porque aún mantienen su confianza en él aunque estén lejos.

Además está escrito como un relato espejo, dónde los detalles de un comienzo, son expuestos de la misma manera pero con cambios para hacer énfasis en sus protagonistas. Excelente libro.

[Christy Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of two books of the Bible that never mentions God's name. Yet throughout this book, God's hand of providence is seen in every single chapter. His presence is unmistakable.
Favorite verse:
4:14 Mordecai boldly challenges Esther, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?" God has a purpose and a plan in every place he has put us. Where has he placed me in this moment? May I walk in what he has called me to.

[layla✧ (semi-hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

slay esther

[CandiCane · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 , brave woman

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book that inspired Purim a Jewish holiday that celebrates mass murder.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*read as a part of reading the whole Bible in a Year through the Bible App’s plan with The Bible Project. The plan itself is so far superior to any other Bible reading plan that I’ve tried. The videos that go along with the reading are academic, but incredibly thoughtful, understandable, relatable, and also artistic. Highly recommend!