Esther: An Introduction and Commentary (Volume 13)

Tyndale Old Testament Commentary #13

by Debra Reid

The place: Persia. The time: fifth-century BC. The Jews were threatened with genocide. A decree ordered the extermination of young and old, women and children. The book of Esther describes how this crisis was averted through the bravery of Esther, the wisdom of Mordecai and the unity of the Jewish people. Debra Reid's approachable commentary helps us see even more clearly in the book of Esther the God who quietly --and sometimes unexpectedly-- works behind the scenes to order the events of our lives. This completely new volume replaces the previous editon of Esther in the Tyndale Commentary series written by Joyce Baldwin.

Genres: Reference, Christian, Theology

168 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2008

Reviews

[David J. Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as lengthy as others but all the essential conversations are here. Clarifying.

[Xing Yi Ngiam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful in unpacking the literary aspects of the book, and added even more value by appending the Greek additions to to the Hebrew text. But I felt that it was too forgiving of the titular character and it sometimes felt too defensive of the moral problems in the text.

[Reeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. I love reading/hearing about further information of the time in history of different Bible stories. It really makes different aspects of things that were just barely mentioned stand out.
I don't think I'd ever seriously noticed that when Haman sent out the decree in the kings name that all Jews should be slaughtered that the towns people who weren't even Jews were bewildered, then later on when that was fixed the towns people were happy.
This book makes the kings personality stand out more so that you understand his motivations better.
It also shows Esther and Mordecai's actions more explicitly so that you really see how they weren't grabbing for more than they needed and taking advantage. It also shows them using wisdom and decency in dealing with people.
Haman, as a descendant of Agag, really didn't stand a chance. God had said they were going to be wiped off the face of the earth, so it was coming no matter what. Haman just made the people of that day and those of us who read about it glad since he was so viciously evil. I wonder if Haman had tried to live a good life and didn't try to torture and kill people if God would have let him live.

[Jonathan Caldwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was fairly disappointed in this commentary. It did not add much to my prior knowledge to the book. I have not read the volume by Baldwin which Reid replaced. But I would be shocked if it was much of an upgrade. There are better and more in depth commentaries for this gem of a book.

[Steven Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. Probably better than what I experienced as I think I was looking for something more theologically focused. Reid did an excellent job in the discussion, my one concern was the constant reference that many parts of the story were exaggerations. I'm glad I read this one, but I will be on the lookout for another commentary with a different perspective in the future.

[Joe Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was lovely to read when recovering from an unexpected stay in hospital. The introduction is very well done with many lovely insights. The belief that God is actively present anywhere that his people are was one fine statement that has lingered in my memory. The commentary is solid explaining the passages nicely but not going so deep as to loose the novice commentary reader.

[Cameron Barham]

“It is certainly feasible that the story does not mention God’s name because the author assumes God’s presence rather than mentions it. Equally, it could be maintained that the author is concerned with leading readers to their own faith-reading of the text, rather than imposing such a reading.”, p. 49

[Matt George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written commentary that shares great details about this book often missed.

[Jonathan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid and succinct commentary on Esther.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first volume in the latest round of revisions in the outstanding Tyndale Old Testament Commentary (TOTC) series. The editorship has fallen into the capable hands of David Firth. Debra Reid supplies this replacement of the well-respected Baldwin volume in a winning way.

The Introduction, in 55 pages, covers the bases well for a volume of this size. If you are like me, you do not the excessive discussion on the literary style of the book as it often appears a charade to attack the historicity of Esther. Still, Reid covers what one must know to realize what scholars debate here. Canonization issues are sufficiently covered too.

I gleaned more when Reid turned to a discussion of style. She taught me several things I had not noticed before. Thinks like there is little direct speech in Esther, or how key the narrator is as compared to, say, Ruth, and character discussions are all very fascinating.

The commentary proper is even better still. The unique thing was the female perspective. There was no capitulation to feminism, but deep insights throughout. All in all, this is a fine, economical volume and I recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Aaron]

This commentary series is noted for their brevity, but the introduction in this one ends on page 55 and is excellent. The commentary itself is the usual brief notes on passages, but again is solid in keeping with the series as a whole. It is also helpful in having an appendix with the additional passages from the apocrypha, not that I preach from them as a Baptist pastor. However, I do like to understand the text as a whole and how it has been passed down from us from its writing to the present.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. A combination of excellent biblical insight and theological depth.