Esther: Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (EEC)

The story is a familiar one, made popular by Sunday School teachers, novels, and movies; her people threatened with extinction, Queen Esther must summon the courage to approach the Persian King Xerxes in order to save the Jews. But what is the real message of Esther? In his commentary, Anthony Tomasino closely examines the Hebrew text to explore the motifs of feasting, divine providence, assertiveness, and reversal in the book of Esther. He also explores its connection with the celebration of Purim, the theme of the invincibility of the Jews, and the conspicuous absence of any mention of God. It is through the text’s implicit coincidences and ironic reversals that the hand of God at work is revealed, and Tomasino in this commentary brings these instances to light.