Esther KJV
Old Testament · 10 chapters · 167 verses · about 28 minutes to read
A Jewish orphan becomes queen of Persia, and her people are marked for destruction by Haman's plot. God is never named in Esther, but his hand is on every turn of it.
Author: Not named in the bookTraditionally dated about 460 BCTheme: unseen providence
Chapters
Outline of Esther
Key verses
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
Well-known verses in Esther
And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
How long Esther is
Chapters: 10Verses: 167Words: about 5,633Read in: about 28 minutesLongest chapter: Esther 9 (32 verses)
Esther is the 17th book of the Bible and the 17th of the Old Testament, between Nehemiah and Job. Compare all 66 books →
Common questions
Who wrote the book of Esther?
Not named in the book.
When was Esther written?
It is traditionally dated about 460 BC.
What is the book of Esther about?
A Jewish orphan becomes queen of Persia, and her people are marked for destruction by Haman's plot. God is never named in Esther, but his hand is on every turn of it.
How long is Esther?
Esther has 10 chapters and 167 verses in the King James Version — about 5,633 words.
How long does it take to read Esther?
about 28 minutes at an ordinary reading pace of about 200 words a minute.
How many chapters are in Esther?
10.
How many verses are in Esther?
167.
What is the longest chapter in Esther?
Esther 9, with 32 verses. The shortest is Esther 10, with 3.
Where is Esther in the Bible?
Esther is the 17th book of the Bible and the 17th of the Old Testament, between Nehemiah and Job.
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