A Jewish queen in the Persian court and the origin of Purim.
Esther is set in the Persian empire and tells how a Jewish woman becomes queen and, with her cousin Mordecai, thwarts a plot to destroy the empire's Jews. The book never mentions God directly and explains the festival of Purim.
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ReadAfter the queen is deposed, a search brings Esther to the palace.
Learn MoreA royal official secures a decree to destroy the empire's Jews.
Learn MoreThe plot collapses and a new festival marks the escape.
Learn MoreKing Ahasuerus removes Queen Vashti for refusing a summons, and a search for a replacement leads to Esther, who becomes queen without revealing that she is Jewish. Her cousin and guardian Mordecai, stationed at the palace gate, uncovers and reports an assassination plot against the king.
Haman, promoted to chief minister, is enraged when Mordecai will not bow to him and obtains a sealed decree, its date chosen by lot, to kill all Jews on a set day and seize their property. Mordecai urges Esther to intervene with the king, warning that her position will not protect her.
Esther exposes Haman at a banquet; he is executed on the stake he had prepared for Mordecai, who takes his office. Because the original decree cannot be revoked, a second decree allows the Jews to defend themselves, which they do successfully. The days that follow are established as the annual festival of Purim.