1. Why do some question the canonicity of the book of Esther?

R. It is due to the fact that the name of God is not mentioned in its content. Without
embargo, the hand of God is manifesting in favor of his people in
each page.

2. What attribute of God stands out in the book?

R. Its Sovereignty.
1

3. On what approximate date was it written?

It is likely that it was written after 465 BC, the year in which the
reign of Xerxes.

4. What is the historical background?

The events recorded in the book took place in the years 483–473 B.C.
during the reign of Xerxes or Ahasuerus, who ruled from 486–465 BC.
events fit between chapters six and seven of the book of Ezra. The
The temple was completed in 515, and Ezra did not return until 457, eight years later.
after the reign of Xerxes ended and 16 years after it was concluded
events of the book of Esther. For more details about that period, see the introduction
to the book of Ezra.

What is its purpose?

The purpose is to demonstrate how God works in favor of His people to
keep it and thus keep his covenant with him (4:14a)

6. What is the structure of the book?

The book revolves around the following key events:
Esther's placement as queen in the caps. 1–2
government of Ahasuerus
The threat of destroying the entire town caps. 3–5
Jewish
Liberation of the people of God caps. 6–10
What did King Ahasuerus do in the third year of his reign?

In the third year of his reign, he held a great banquet in Susa, the capital of the empire.

8. Who was invited to his banquet?

R. invited all the princes and courtiers (1:2–3).

9. Why did the king call such a meeting? 2

R. He intended to show the riches of the glory of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, thus
like the brightness and magnificence of his power (1:4).

10. What happened at the end of the first banquet?

When the hundred and eighty days, that is, six months, were completed, King Ahasuerus held another
seven-day banquet, to which he invited all the people who were in Susa (1:5).

11. What did the king do while his heart was joyful because of the wine?
R. The heart of the king was cheerful from the wine, he sent seven of his eunuchs to
bring Queen Vashti to show the peoples and the princes her beauty (1:10–
11).

12. How did Queen Vashti respond?

Queen Vashti refused to appear at the king's command.

13. How did King Xerxes react?

R. This was ignited in fury (1:12).

14. What did your servants advise you?

R. One of the wise men, Memucan, said that the news of the queen's disobedience
Vasti would be known in all the provinces, and all the princes would suffer the
disdain and anger from their wives. He concluded by suggesting that it should be published.
a decree deposing Vashti as queen (1:16–20).

15.What did the king do then?

The words of Memucan pleased the king, and he sent letters to all the
provinces of his kingdom.
16. What was the method suggested to the king for selecting the new queen?
They suggested to him that young virgins of good appearance be sought for the king.
which would be placed in her harem under the care of Hegai, the royal eunuch (2:2-3).
the maiden that he would like, she would be the new queen. The king liked the idea, and thus
made (2:4).

17. What was the relationship between Mordecai and Esther?

R. Esther was Mordecai's aunt.

18. What were the instructions that Mordecai gave to Esther regarding the 3
identity of its people?
R. Esther did not disclose that she was Jewish by the command of Mordecai.
and he was very attentive to Ester's care.

19. When was Esther presented to the king?

Esther was brought to the king in the tenth month, in the seventh year of the king's reign.
Ahasuerus (2:16).

20. What was the result?

The king loved Esther, and she found favor in his eyes more than all the others.
virgins, and was crowned queen instead of Vashti (2:17).

21. What plot did Mordecai discover against the king?

While Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, two of his officials became angry with him.
eunuchs, Bigtán and Teresh, and they wanted to lay hands on him (2:21).

22. What was the result of the investigation?

The matter was investigated with the result that those two were hanged.

23. What was done with the information?

The case was recorded in the king's chronicles book (2:23).

24. What does the phrase 'after these things' that appears at the beginning refer to?
Chapter 3 of the Book of Esther
R. It probably refers to Mordecai's intervention to protect the
security of King Xerxes (2:21–23).

25. Who was Haman?

Many biblical commentators believe that Haman was a descendant of Agag king of
Amalek (1 Samuel 15:8), and for that reason he is called Agagite.
26. Why were the Agagueos still living?
King Saul had received orders from the Lord to destroy all the Amalekites.
Samuel 15:1–3). His obedience was partial. He killed everyone by the sword, with a
exception. "And he took Agag king of Amalek alive" (1 Samuel 15:8). Many years
After (here), another attempt rises to try to destroy all the Jews.

27. What was the honor given to Haman by King Xerxes?

4
The promotion that Haman received placed him above all the other princes (3:1c).

28. What were the king's servants supposed to do as Haman passed by?

R. will bow down and kneel before Haman (3:2a).

29. Who did not obey that law?

R. Mardoqueo.

30. What did Haman do when he realized?

R. became greatly enraged (3:3–5).

31. What had Mordecai disclosed in those days?

R. Mardoqueo had declared to his colleagues that he was Jewish (3:4c)

32. What was Haman's reaction upon realizing that Mordecai was Jewish?
R. Instead of only seeking the death of Mordecai, Haman decided to try to destroy
to all the Jews who were in the kingdom of Ahasuerus (3:6c)

33. What did Haman do to determine the best time to carry out his plan?
R. Amán threw the pure fortunes.

34. What month was indicated?

This happened in the first month of the Jewish calendar, which was the twelfth year of the
King Ahasuerus and luck marked the appropriate time for the twelfth month (3:7).
35. What accusation did Haman make against the Jews before the king?
R. Amán accused the Jews of being disobedient to the royal laws (3:8)

36. What amount of silver did Haman offer to the king?

He promised the king to deliver ten thousand talents of silver to those who managed the treasury.
to be brought to the treasures of the king (3:9b). 5

37. What did the king think of Haman's plan?

Without investigating the identity of the mentioned people, the king took off his ring and gave it to
Haman, and he authorized him to execute his plan and dispose of the offered money (3:10–11).

38. On what date was the decree published?

The scribes were called, and the edict was written in the first month, on the thirteenth
day (3:12a), which was the month in which Haman cast lots (3:7a).

39. What date was set to execute Haman's plan?

R. The date they set to execute the order was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, or
Sean once months after writing the decree (3:13c).

40. What did the edict say regarding the destruction of the Jews?
They had to destroy, kill, and exterminate all the Jews, young and old, children and
women, on the same day and could take possession of their goods (3:13b and d).

41. How did the edict reach the different provinces?

The decree was written to each people according to its script and according to its language (3:12c).
letters were sent by mail to all the provinces of the king (3:13a), and the copy of the
The writing was published in all the towns so that they would be ready for that day.
Riders were used to facilitate the process of delivering the edict to the different
provinces in time for the execution of the Jews.

42. What did the king and Haman do while the city of Susa was in turmoil?
The king and Haman sat down to drink.
 43. What happened among the Jews when they realized the edict?
There was great mourning, fasting, weeping, and lamentation; sackcloth and ashes were the bed of
many

44. What did Queen Esther do when she learned that Mordecai was crying for
the streets dressed in sackcloth and ashes?
R. She sent him dresses to dress Mordecai, but he refused to.
do it (4:4).

45. How did Mordecai respond? 6

R. His relative told him everything that had happened, including the information about
the silver offered by Haman in exchange for the destruction of the Jews.

46. What was Esther's first response when Mordecai asked her?
intervention in front of the king?

R. Hatac submitted his report to Ester, but she was not ready to enter the
presence of the king, so he sent Mordecai the following information. He reminded him
that according to Persian law, it was not lawful for anyone to enter the inner courtyard to see the king, to
unless she was called. She had not been called for thirty days. Only death
I was waiting for such a person unless the king extended his golden scepter to him.

47. What was the challenge that Mordecai sent?

R. Because if you remain completely silent at this time, deliverance and relief will come from somewhere.
another part for the Jews; but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows if for
Has this hour come to the kingdom?

48. What does Mordecai's challenge say about his faith in God's faithfulness?

R. Since the book of Esther does not mention the name of God, we cannot know for certain
certain the level of spirituality of Mordecai. However, there are certain indications very
positive. We have already observed that he refused to bow down before Haman, possibly
due to the explicit prohibition found in Exodus 20:3–4. In her challenge to Esther
seems to demonstrate knowledge of the covenants between God and the Jewish people. He was right to
to say "breath and liberation will come from somewhere else." The Jewish people are indestructible,
not for his merits, but for the covenants that Jehovah has made with him. According to the covenant
Abrahamic, they will obtain the perpetual possession of a land (Genesis 13:14–15). If God
if it allowed its destruction, it could not fulfill that promise. Furthermore, according to the
Davidic covenant, there will always be a son of yours to sit on the throne of Israel (2 Samuel
The destruction of the Jewish people would include all the descendants of David, and if
if this were to happen, another covenant of God would be abolished. Similar things could be said about
of other pacts between God and the Jewish people.

49. Do you believe that God continues to place believers in key positions to
to carry out your purposes? Mention some examples.

PERSONAL RESPONSE.

50. What was Queen Esther's response to Mordecai's challenge?

Go and gather all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me, and do not... 7
Do not eat or drink for three days, night and day; I too will fast with my maidens.
likewise, and then I will go in to see the king, even if it is not according to the law; and if
I perish, let me perish.

51. What did the Jews often associate fasting with?

It was common among the Jews to relate prayer to fasting (see Jeremiah)
14:12 and Nehemiah 1:4). So it is logical to believe that Esther and her maidens, thus
As Mordecai and the Jewish people spent those three days praying and fasting (4:17).
Ester was willing to expose her life to great danger.

What happened when Esther presented herself before the king?

R. When he saw her, she found favor in his eyes. He extended the golden scepter, and she
he approached and touched the tip of the scepter (5:2).

53. How did she respond when the king wanted to know what her request was?

R. Esther limited herself to inviting the king along with Haman to a feast that she had.
prepared for the king (5:4).

54. What happened at the banquet?

R. She cleverly postponed the declaration of her request and invited the king and to
Amán to his house for another banquet that he would prepare.

55. What did Queen Esther offer to do the next day?

R. Promised to present his claim the next day (5:7–8)

56. Why do you think Esther waited to present her request to the king?
PERSONAL RESPONSE.

57. With what attitude did Haman leave that day?

R. Amán left very happy that day.

58. What happened when he saw Mordecai?

His joy turned into sadness and anger when he left the palace and saw that Mordecai did not...
He gave the respect ordered by the king (5:9b). 8

59. What attitude did he/she arrive at home with?

R. With great pride.

60. What did he/she do upon arriving there?

R. He added that he was the only guest with the king at the banquet that day and that to
the next day again I would be the only guest to accompany the king to another banquet that
would give Queen Esther (5:12).

61. What advice did his wife Zeres and his friends give him?

R. Zeres, his wife and his friends advised him to prepare a gallows of fifty.
height gallows, and to ask the king to hang Mordecai on it.

62. What did you think of the idea of making the gallows?

R. The suggestion pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made ready (5:14c).

What happened to the king that night?

R. That night the king couldn't sleep. 6:1

64. What detail of great interest did they find in the memories and chronicles of the king?

R. Among the many chronicles recorded in the memories, they wonderfully found the
the story of how Mordecai had saved his life (6:2 and 2:21–23).

65. What are some attributes of God illustrated by this event?

R. Its Sovereignty, protection.

66. What honor or distinction had been given to Mordecai?

R. He granted him the privilege of taking the dress and the horse and leading Mordecai to
horse through the square, and have it proclaimed in front of him: “Thus will be done to the man whose
honor desires the king (6:10–11).

67.Whom did the king ask for advice about the honor that should be given to...
Mordecai?
The king asked for advice from Haman.

68.Why was Haman there?

R. Eager to deal with his enemy, Haman had arrived at the outer courtyard of
the royal house to convince the king to have Mordecai hanged on the gallows that
he had prepared for him (6:4b).

69.Why was Haman pleased with the king's question?

R. Aman was sure that it was he whom the king wanted to honor, and suggested something that he
I longed ardently.

70.What was the prince's response?

R. answered the king that one of the noblest princes should go and dress such a man.
with the royal dress, mount her on the horse that the king rode, put on the crown
to lead him on a horse through the city square (6:6–9c)

71.What was the result?

The king was pleased with Haman's response, and granted him the privilege of taking the
dress and the horse and lead Mordecai on horseback through the square, and have it proclaimed
in front of him: "So it will be done to the man whom the king desires to honor" (6:10-11).

72.What did Zeres, his wife, and his advisors say when Haman returned home?
sorrowful?

R. "if from the descent of the Jews is this Mordecai before whom you have
begun to fall, you will not defeat him, but you will surely fall before him" (6:13).
73. What did King Ahasuerus say to Queen Esther while they were drinking wine at the second
banquet?
R. Once again, the king asked Queen Esther to declare her request and her
demand and told him that it would be granted to him up to half of his kingdom (7:2).

74. How did she respond?

R. As a request, Esther pleaded for the preservation of her life, and the demand she made
it was for the life of her people (7:3). She added that both she and her people had been
"sold... to be destroyed... and exterminated" (7:4a). She declared that she could
to accept that they were sold as servants, but that the death of all those people 10
it would cause irreparable damage to the king (7:4).

75. What did the king say upon learning that she and her people had been sold to be
destroyed and exterminated?
The king wanted to know who he was and where the one who had become arrogant was.
heart to do this (7:5).

76. What words did the queen use to identify the culprit?
The enemy and adversary is this wicked Haman

77. What did the king do after the revelation that Esther had given?
The king became enraged, and he rose from the banquet and went to the palace garden.
(7:7a).

78. What did the king see after returning to the banquet room?
When the king returned to the banquet hall, Haman had fallen on the bed.
what Esther was in (7:8a).

79. What accusation did he make against Haman?

The king accused him of wanting to violate the queen in his own house (7:8b).

80. What was the end of Haman?

R. Harbona, one of the king's eunuchs, told the king that in the house of Haman there was
a gallows fifty cubits high that the wicked had prepared for
Mordecai, and the king commanded to hang Haman on it (7:9).

81. What practical lessons do you draw from these events?

R. God cares for and preserves his people, he is a just God who rewards his children and
destroy the wicked.

82. What happened to Haman's house on the same day he was hanged?
It seems that Mordecai received the position of Haman due to the fact that the queen
he declared to the king what Mordecai was in relation to her (8:1c). The king took off the ring
which he collected from Haman, and he gave it to Mordecai (8:2a) and Esther put it over the house
of Haman (8:2b).
11

83. Who was granted the position of Haman?

R. A Mardoqueo.

84. What was the queen's concern even though the enemy had already died?
Jewish people, and both she and Mordecai had been favored?
R. Esther was always aware of the decree of Haman that ordered the
destruction of the Jews.

85. Why was Haman's decree still in effect even after he was dead?

R. The decree was still in effect even though Haman had died, because the order had been
sealed with the ring of the king and was already part of the law of Media and Persia, which did not
could be repealed (8:3 and Daniel 6:8).

What did the queen do?

R. So she came before the king and fell at his feet, weeping and begging him to
made void the decree of Haman (8:3). Although the same suspense no longer existed in
on that occasion, Esther was exposing herself to great danger by presenting herself before the king without being
call (4:11). But once again he found favor in front of the king, who extended to him the
gold scepter. Esther stood before the king and declared her request (8:4–5a):

87. What was his request before the king on that occasion?
R. "That a written order be issued to revoke the letters that authorize the plot of
Haman... who wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of
king” (8:5).
88. What did the king do to begin the process of easing Esther's worries?
And Mordecai?
R. Although it was not possible to revoke the law enacted by Haman, it was still possible to...
to enact a new law countering the first, and the king gave to Esther and
Mordecai complete freedom to draft a new law to repeal the
previous (8:7–8).

89. On what date was the decree of Mordecai and Esther written?
12
R. The king's scribes were gathered in the third month, on the twenty-third day to
write everything that Mordecai ordered (8:9a).

90. How much time was left to execute the decree of Haman?

The order to destroy the Jews was to be carried out on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month.
(3:13), which means there were just under nine months left for its execution.

91. Who was the decree addressed to?

R. The decree was addressed to the Jews, and to the satraps, the captains, and the princes of the
one hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus (8:9b).

92. What was the detail included in this decree that was not found in the
first?

Here is a detail that was not mentioned in 3:12: 'to the Jews also'
according to its writing and language

93. How was the decree sent?

The edict was written in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed with his ring (8:10a) and
sent by means of mails mounted on swift horses coming from the
real stables (8:10b). The message was urgent and had to be announced in the form
more efficient.

94. The decree authorized the Jews to do three things, what are they?
The decree authorized the Jews to:
Defend your life
Destroy all your attackers
3. Take possession of their goods (8:11-13)
 95. On what date could the new decree be carried out?
All of that could take place on the same date that Amán had chosen for
carry out the destruction of the Jews (8:12).

96. What were some benefits of Mordecai's leadership?

In his new position, Mordecai wore the royal colors, blue and white, a great
gold crown, and a robe of linen and purple (8:15a). By his office, he brought joy and
rejoicing in the city of Susa (8:15b). The passage doesn't say it, but it is assumed that this
it was in contrast to the influence of Haman, who perhaps terrified and saddened the
people. "The Jews had light, and joy, and gladness and honor" by his influence
Many Gentiles converted to Judaism as a result of the good 13
ministry of that noble and pious man (8:17).

97. God used three things to intervene in favor of his people, what were they?

The fear of the Jews had fallen upon all the peoples (9:2d).
They were supported by the hierarchy of the king, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen.
about them (9:3).
3. Mordecai was becoming greater and greater throughout all the provinces of the king (9:4).

What happened on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month?

R. The stipulated day arrived, the thirteenth of Adar, which is the twelfth month corresponding to
our months of February-March. The enemies of the Jewish people were authorized to
to kill them and take their goods (3:13). Likewise, they were permitted to arm themselves to
resist his enemies until death and seize their goods (8:11). In the sovereign
divine providence the Jews took control over those who hated them (9:1c).

99. How many enemies of the Jewish people died by the sword that day?
R. Mataron five hundred in Susa, the capital of the kingdom (9:6), but they did not touch their goods (9:10b).
The ten sons of Haman were counted among the dead (9:10a).

100. Upon being informed of the massacre on the thirteenth, the king gave to Queen Esther
the opportunity to present another petition, what did she ask?
R. Ester requested permission to extend the resistance for one more day in Susa, the capital of the kingdom.
And to hang on the gallows the ten sons of Haman (9:13). The king ordered that it be done that way and
They hanged the ten sons of Haman (9:14).

101. What did the Jews living in the provinces outside of Susa do on the day
fourteenth of Adar?

R. The Jews also killed three hundred men on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar,
but they did not touch their property (9:15).
 102. How many died on the second day in Susa?

R. Mataron seventy-five thousand of their opponents without touching their goods (9:16)

103. What did the Jews do after defeating their enemies?

They rested on the fourteenth day, and made it a day of feasting and joy.

104. Why was the festival of Purim initiated? 14

They were days that were remembered:
a. Peace upon his enemies (9:22a)
b. The month when sadness turned into joy (9:22b), and mourning into a good day (9:22c).

105. Who ordered its celebration?

It was ordered by Mordecai (9:21a) and Esther (9:31a) and authorized by both.
9:29

106. What dates were marked for its celebration?

The marked dates were the fourteenth and the fifteenth day of the month of Adar,
every year (9:21b).

107. What does the term Purim mean?

The name Purim comes from the word Pur and is the plural form of that word, which
it means 'luck' (3:7).

108. Where is the fame of Mordecai registered?

R. His name is mentioned in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and
from Persia (10:2).
He became the prime minister of King Ahasuerus's government, second in power after the
king (10:3a).

109. Why was he held in high esteem by the Jewish people?

The Jews held him in great esteem because he always "sought the well-being of his people and
"Spoke peace for all his lineage" (10:3b and c).

110. What is the key teaching of the book of Esther?

The purpose is to demonstrate the way God works in favor of his people (SOVEREIGNTY
DIVINE IN ACTION) to preserve it and thus keep his covenant with him (4:14a).