20 Intriguing Facts about Esther in The Bible

20 Intriguing Facts about Esther in The Bible

Esther was a biblical heroine who is celebrated for her bravery and selflessness. She was a Jewish woman who lived in Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus. Esther risked her own life to save the Jews from the king’s advisor Haman who wanted to kill them. Esther is among the most popular people in the Bible. 

Esther faced many challenges in her life because she was a Jew, however, she never gave up hope and always trusted in God. Esther’s story is a powerful example of how God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. She is also a reminder that we should never give up because God is with us.

Here are the 20 Intriguing Facts about Esther in The Bible;

1.  Esther was an Orphan Jew

She was a Jewish woman. Her parents aren’t mentioned in the bible but it is assumed that they were deceased. Due to the fact that she was an orphan, she was more vulnerable in the Persian court. This also means that she would have been more reliant on God. Many Christians believe that her orphanhood prepared her for the role she would play in saving the Jewish people.

2. She has Two Powerful Names

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The name Esther means star. Many people believe that the name was derived from the Old Persian word stara which means star. Others believe that the name Esther is associated with the goddess Ishtar who was the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Esther was known as Hadassah before she was given her famous name. The name Hadassah means myrtle which comes from the myrtle tree a symbol of secrecy and hidden love.

3. Esther was Raised by her Cousin

In the Book of Esther Chapter, it is revealed that her parents died when she was young. Her cousin Mordecai raised her as his own daughter. Mordecai was a devout Jew who taught Esther about the Torah as well as the importance of following God’s commands. Esther grew up to be a wise and compassionate woman because of the teachings of Mordecai. Even when Esther was chosen as queen of Persia, Mordecai supported her and advised her.

4. She was Among the Chosen Virgins

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When King Xerxes’s former queen was banished for refusing to obey his command, he ordered his servants to bring to him all the beautiful young virgins. Esther was among the virgins chosen to be presented to the king of Persia. 

5. Esther was Favored at the Palace

During the beautification process, the king’s servants appreciated her beauty. Aside from her beauty, Esther was a kind and compassionate woman who won the favor of the king’s servants as well as the King himself. When she was presented to the king, he immediately chose her to be his new queen and crowned her queen of Persia. 

6. She became Queen of Persia

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After Esther was crowned the Queen of Persia, she used her position to save the Jews. She used her status to persuade the King to spare the Jews. Due to the fact that Esther was beautiful, the King listened to her and issued a new decree that protected the Jews.

7. Esther would Take Risks for Her People

No one in the palace knew that Queen Esther was a Jew. Due to this, her life was already in danger. However, she would always fast and pray for three days before she approached the king. Esther would also go before the king without being summoned and she would always persuade the king to spare her people.

8. God had a Purpose for Esther

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In the book of Esther chapter 4 verse 14, Mordecai tells Esther that deliverance will come to the Jews from another place. This showed that Esther was playing a key role in God’s plan for the Jews. It also showed that God would communicate with Esther through a number of ways. In Esther Chapter 5 verses 1-2, Esther went before the king without being summoned. However, she was confident because God was with her. 

In Chapter 7 verses 3-6, Esther pleaded with the king to save the Jews from being killed. She also told the king that they would be killed if he didn’t intervene.

9. Esther Kept her Identity Hidden

From the moment she was chosen to be queen until her reign, Esther never told a soul in the palace that she was a Jew. She knew that if she told anyone her life would be in danger. At the time, Jews weren’t liked by the Persians at the time. It should be noted that Esther keeping her identity secret was important in order to fulfill her purpose of saving the Jewish people.

10. She Practiced her Faith in Secret

She was a devout Jew who was married to a pagan King. It is believed that there are a number of ways she would practice her faith. She would pray in the privacy of her own room. She would also read the scrolls of the Torah in private and would have recited the passages from memory. Esther knew that if she was caught, she would be punished so she would always practice her faith in secret.

11. Esther hosted a Feast for The King

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In the book of Esther chapter 5 verses 1-8, Esther invited King Xerxes and his advisor, Haman, to a feast. At the feast, Esther requested the king to come to another feast the following day. During the second feast, Esther revealed that she was a Jew and that Haman was plotting to kill her people. The king was furious and ordered Haman to be hanged.

12. Queen Esther helped her Cousin

After Haman was killed, his estate was given to Mordecai. King Xerxes also gave him a signet ring that belonged to Haman. After the king had spared their lives, Esther appointed Mordecai over Haman’s estate. All of this happened because Mordecai was the cousin to Queen Esther.

13. She Influenced a New Law

Esther persuaded King Xerxes to issue a decree that protected the Jews from Haman’s plot to kill them. This was an effort to protect the Jews from the order of Haman to kill all Jews. However, her arguments persuaded the king and the Jews celebrated their salvation.

14. Scholars believe her Story is Fictional

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There are a number of scholars who believe that the events that took place in the Book of Esther are not real. This is because God is not mentioned in the entire book which is considered unusual for a biblical book. However, there is evidence that Esther’s story is based on a historical event.

15. Esther is an Inspiration to Women

She was an example of courage, faith, and resilience. Even though Esther was a woman, she persuaded the king and spoke out against Haman’s plot. She also used her role as Queen to gain access to the king and to change his mind about the Jews. Esther trusted in God to give her strength and courage. All of her qualities make her a role model to women. Her story is something Christian women can learn from. She always had faith in God even when she stayed at the palace and spoke to the king.

16. Esther is Mentioned in Modern Culture

The story of Esther made her a popular figure in modern culture.  Her story has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and books. One of the most popular adaptations of her story is the 1999 film Esther. It was a commercial success because it was a faithful adaptation of the biblical story. Another adaptation includes the Book of Esther which was a 2018 television miniseries that is a modern take on the story.

Esther is mentioned in numerous songs, movies, and television shows. Her story is a great inspiration to girls and women from around the world. Esther reminds us to make a difference in the world no matter the circumstances.

17. She is Noted as a Wise Woman

Esther’s intelligence and wit allowed her to overcome numerous challenges. Unlike the queen before her, she listened to the King and his commands. Esther knew when to speak and when to keep silent, however, she would persuade the king to have mercy on the Jews. In every aspect of her story, it is evident that Esther was wise. She would use her talents and gifts to make a difference in the land of Persia.

18. Esther was a Good Queen

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She was wise, compassionate, and courageous. Esther used her position as queen to help her people and make the world a better place. She promoted peace and harmony between the Jews and Persians. Esther was also just and fair in her dealing with others. Her compassion towards her subjects made her a great queen who ruled alongside King Xerxes.

19. She is Mentioned in the New Testament

Even though it is not evident that she is in the New Testament, scholars believe that she is mentioned. It should be noted that her story could have been a great influence on the people of Israel. Women after the time of Esther could have used her story as a source of hope. 

20. Esther has a Great Legacy

She is noted as an ordinary person who was faced with an extraordinary challenge. Her story taught us the importance of courage, faith, and resilience even when she faced challenges. Esther had hope in God no matter the circumstance.

All in all, Esther was a woman of faith. Her story is used to teach women the importance of believing in God and His work for you in your life. It also shows that God can used anyone to do His work.