They are the only books in the Bible named after women---one who stood in the line of David and Jesus, and one who saved her people from an early holocaust. Bush provides a thorough exegetical treatment of both books that will help you better understand the scriptural and historical significance of Queen Esther and Ruth the Moabitess. 450 pages, hardcover from Word.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

This landmark commentary by Dr. Frederic Bush fills a void in Old Testament studies. Ruth and Esther are among the most neglected books in the canon of holy Scripture. None of the early Church Fathers wrote a commentary on Esther and the list of serious contemporary analyses of both Ruth and Esther is woefully short. So pastors and scholars alike will welcome Dr. Bush’s thorough treatment of these intriguing texts to fill this exegetical gap.

Drawing upon recent studies on the genre and discourse structure of biblical narrative, Bush shows how the loving loyalty of Ruth, the kindness and sagacity of both Boaz and Naomi, and God’s gracious probision of fruitfulness for field and womb provide a son to reverse the family line that ultimately led to David. In the course of his investigation Bush deals at length with the difficult question of the role that the Old Testament social customs of the levirate law and the redemption of land play in this powerful story, and using a careful linguistic study of the text, sheds new light on the equally difficult question of the date of the book.

From its earliest days, the book of Esther has posed huge problems for Bible students. What do you do with a Bible book that never overtly speaks of God? Does a book this secular in nature really belong in our Bibles? Some of the ancient rabbis said no. Is it possible that a proto version of Esther was amended in the Masoretic Text to make a solid case for the popular feast of Purim? Bush’s exhaustive analysis of the literary structure of the book of Esther provides numerous clues that this may be so. While offering professional insights into the technicalities of language and textual transmission, Bush also uses his expertise in Near Eastern studies to stir our hearts with a fresh look at the courage of Queen Esther and her loyal kinsman Mordecai.

http://www.christianbook.com/ruth-esther-word-biblical-commentary/frederic-bush/9780849902086/pd/02088

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