The Book of Esther between Judaism and Christianity

Explores different traditions and usage of Esther in Judaism and Christianity, without neglecting the fundamental questions in scholarship.

Isaac Kalimi (Author)

9781009266123, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 July 2023

350 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.9 cm, 0.728 kg

The book of Esther is one of the most challenging books in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, not only because of the difficulty of understanding the book itself in its time, place, and literary contexts, but also for the long and tortuous history of interpretation it has generated in both Jewish and Christian traditions. In this volume, Isaac Kalimi addresses both issues. He situates 'traditional' literary, textual, theological, and historical-critical discussion of Esther alongside comparative Jewish and Christian interpretive histories, showing how the former serves the latter. Kalimi also demonstrates how the various interpretations of the Book of Esther have had an impact on its reception history, as well as on Jewish-Christian relations. Based on meticulous and comprehensive analysis of all available sources, Kalimi's volume fills a gap in biblical, Jewish, and Christian studies and also shows how and why the Book of Esther became one of the central books of Judaism and one of the most neglected books in Christianity.

1. An Introduction
Part I. Esther: Story and History, Literary Features and Theology: 2. Esther's Story: Composition, literary unity, textual development, and noble characters
3. Virtuosity, literary style and features
4. The central message of Esther within biblical and ancient near east contexts
5. Historical setting and historicity
6. Ancient parallels to Haman's accusations
Part II. 'Oh, How Much They Love the Book Of Esther!' Esther Among the Jews: 7. Esther, Torah's Law, and the dead sea scrolls' community
8. Esther in Jewish canon, tradition, culture and thought
9. Identification of Jew-haters with Haman: New 'Hamans,' 'Purims' and 'Megillot'
Part III. Divine or Demon? Esther Among the Christians: 10. Esther in the Christian canon, interpretation, tradition and culture
11. Esther, the Jews, and Martin Luther
12. Christian Anti-Esther and Judeophobic interpretation
13. Christian pro-esther interpretation
14. Synthesis and conclusion
Bibliography
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ], Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG], Church history [HRCC2]