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ESTHER (Person)
One of two names borne by the Jewish queen of Persia. Hadassah (Hebrew “Myrtle”) apparently was her Jewish name (Est 2:7), and Esther (Persian “Star”) her name as queen of Persia. Some scholars speculate about a connection with the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, since exiled Jews were occasionally given pagan names (see Dn 1:7).
Esther was an orphan from the tribe of Benjamin who lived with the Jewish exiles in Persia. She was reared by her cousin Mordecai, a minor government official and covert leader of the Jewish community (see Est 3:5-6) in Susa, capital of the Persian kingdom. Esther became queen after King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) became displeased with Queen Vashti when she refused to obey his command to attend a banquet (1:11-12).
After Esther’s coronation, she discreetly won Xerxes’ confidence by informing him of an assassination plot (Est 2:21-23). The favor she won in the king’s eyes enabled her to deliver her family and her people from a massacre by Haman, a high official to the king.
The Feast of Purim was instituted to celebrate God’s deliverance of his people through Esther and Mordecai. This festival is still observed annually by Jews.
See also Esther, Book of.