Women of the Bible: Esther

Esther is one of two women who have Bible books named after them. I won't post any scripture about Esther, since, to do so, would require posting almost the entire book. Esther is mentioned at least once in all nine chapters. As many people have pointed out, God is not mentioned even once. However, God's providence is graphically and dramatically illustrated throughout the book.

As part of the story, Esther was made queen. Although the king apparently had concubines (other, subordinate, women -- perhaps a sort of sex slave), and doesn't seem to have consulted with women about important matters very much, Esther must have been important, at least more so than most or all other women of the kingdom.

Perhaps the most quoted part of the book of Esther is this:

¹⁰ Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a message to Mordecai: ¹¹ “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that whoever, whether man or woman, comes to the king into the inner court without being called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except those to whom the king might hold out the golden scepter, that he may live. I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

¹² They told Esther’s words to Mordecai. ¹³ Then Mordecai asked them to return this answer to Esther: “Don’t think to yourself that you will escape in the king’s house any more than all the Jews. ¹⁴ For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Note that this exchange between Esther and Mordecai, who had been her guardian, was not direct. A eunuch, Hathach, passed the messages between them. (Mordecai and other men were not allowed in the women's quarters.)

Esther ascended to the throne because of a beauty/personality contest. Abishag also won such a contest. (see here.)

I have known women named Esther.

Thanks for reading!