Illustration created for this project.

Esther

A Jewish orphan who became queen of Persia and risked her life to save her people from destruction.

Role: Queen of Persia

Also known as: Hadassah

Lived: c. 5th century BC

Born: Susa

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Archaeology — physical evidence · 1 Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1

Life, role & deeds

BibleA Jewish queen of Persia who risked her life to save her people from destruction.

Esther 4:16; 7:3

↳ Susa

Unknown authorUnknown author — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) ArchaeologyThe Persian palace at Susa, where the book is set, has been excavated — and its layout matches the story's detailed descriptions of the court.

Apadana palace of Darius I at Susa (Shush), excavated by W. K. Loftus for the British Museum (1852) and by Marcel & Jane Dieulafoy for the French mission (1884–86); glazed-brick Frieze of Archers now in the Louvre (Sully wing).

↳ Susa

Death & legacy

ScholarlyKing Ahasuerus is generally identified with Xerxes I (486–465 BC); the book's Persian detail is strikingly accurate.

Mainstream scholarship

Where in scripture

Esther

Esther 2:7 Esther 2:17 Esther 4:16 Esther 6:14 Esther 7:1 Esther 8:1 Esther 9:12

Family

In their own words — 7 recorded sayings

“It is common knowledge among all the king's servants and the people of every part of the kingdom, that if anyone, man or woman, comes to the king in his inner room without being sent for, there is only one law for him, that he is to be put to death; only those to whom the king's rod of gold is stretched out may keep their lives: but I have not been sent for to come before the king these thirty days.” — Esther 4:11

“Go, get together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and go without food for me, taking no food or drink night or day for three days: and I and my women will do the same; and so I will go in to the king, which is against the law: and if death is to be my fate, then let it come.” — Esther 4:16

“And Esther in answer said, If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the feast which I have made ready for him.” — Esther 5:4

“Then Esther said in answer, My prayer and my request is this: If I have the king's approval, and if it is the king's pleasure to give me my prayer and do my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast which I will make ready for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.” — Esther 5:7-8

“Then Esther the queen, answering, said, If I have your approval, O king, and if it is the king's pleasure, let my life be given to me in answer to my prayer, and my people at my request: For we are given up, I and my people, to destruction and death and to be cut off. If we had been taken as men-servants and women-servants for a price, I would have said nothing, for our trouble is little in comparison with the king's loss.” — Esther 7:3-4

“And Esther said, Our hater and attacker is this evil Haman. Then Haman was full of fear before the king and the queen.” — Esther 7:6

“Then Esther said, If it is the king's pleasure, let authority be given to the Jews in Shushan to do tomorrow as has been done today, and let orders be given for the hanging of Haman's ten sons.” — Esther 9:13

Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).