Esther

Adar addi additions to Esther Agagite Ahasuerus's ambiguity banquet biblical Bigthan book of Esther book's canonical chapter character Christians context contrast counteredict decree deliverance described destruction deuterocanonical drinking enemies Esther and Mordecai eunuchs fact faith fate feast Finally gives God's Greek Haman Haman's edict Haman's wife Hammedatha Harbona harem Hathach Hebrew version Hegai honor hundred twenty-seven important instance interpretation irony issued Jewish Jews Jon Levenson kill King Ahasuerus king's gate language lectionary Levenson Morde Mordecai's edict Mordecai's motives narrative narrator NRSV obvious Old Testament palace Perhaps Persian Empire phrase plot possible prayer provinces Purim Queen Esther question readers reference refusal to bow remember request response royal says scene second edict seems sense Septuagint servants signet ring significant sion story suerus suerus's suggests sure Susa tells tension Theological thing tion translation Vashti verse Vulgate women wonder words written texts