Bible Character Studies: Esther

Character studies: Esther

Esther, which means star, probably after the Persian name Ishtar, who was the Babylonian love goddess, was also known by her Hebrew name Hadassah, which means myrtle. She would have been a very young girl, probably around 15 when she was scooped up into the competition to become the next Queen. She had a year of beauty treatments in preparation for her meeting with the King. While a year-long spa sounds nice, it’s kind of like how the Aztecs would treat a person like a king for a year and then in the end, he’d be a human sacrifice who had his heart cut out of him while still alive. She knew at the end of the year, she’d be called in to sleep with this pagan King.

She is described as both “lovely and beautiful” (Est. 2:7) This refers to her character and her looks. She must have been an exceptional woman, because we see she finds favour in the sight of Hegai, the custodian of the women (Est. 2:8,9), all who saw her (Est. 2:15b), and eventually King Xerxes, himself (Est. 2:17,18).

We see her obedience to her older cousin, in not revealing her identity or family connections (due to anti-Semitism) and her deference to the suggestions of the custodian, since she is unaware of this new world into which she was thrust, and then her submission to her husband, even though he was not her choice.

She seems to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, in delaying her request to the king by a day, making way for the sovereignly appointed insomnia of the king, the “chance” reading of an event five years in the past, and the honouring of Mordecai, so it would be fresh in the mind of the king when he learns of the plot to kill the Jews. (Est. chap.6)

The only complaint about her character is the lack of overt mention of God. Neither she nor Mordecai took the opportunity to return to Israel as they were free to do according to the earlier decree of Cyrus. Were they so accustomed to life in this pagan land that the Promised Land held no appeal? She called for people to fast for her, and although prayer is no doubt included, it isn’t mentioned. Also, her request for a second day of the Jews defending themselves is somewhat harsh, if not bloodthirsty.