ESTHER

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ESTHER
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Author and Date

• Author was a Jew
• Emphasis on origin of Jewish Festival
• Jewish nationalism permeates the story
• Resident of Persia
• Knowledge of Persian Customs
• Setting of story city of Susa
• No reference to Judah
• Date 460 BC-331 BC
• Festival of Purim celebrated (919)
• Xerxes already dead (102)
• Absence of Greek words Hebrew dialect

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Purpose Themes

• Central purpose Feast of Purim
• Feud between Israel and Amalekites
• Rest promised to People of God
• Remnant motif
• Feasting (10 banquets in total)

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Literary Features

• Recording duplications (two of everything)
• No explicit reference to God, worship, prayer, or
  sacrifice
• However, note 61 (Book of Chronicles)
• Gods rule assumed (412-16)