Ebook: Esther Through the Centuries

This interdisciplinary commentary ranges from early midrashic interpretation to contemporary rewritings introducing interpretations of the only biblical book not to mention God.

• Unearths a wealth of neglected rewritings inspired by the story’s relevance to themes of nationhood, rebellion, providence, revenge, female heroism, Jewish identity, exile, genocide and ‘multiculturalism’
• Reveals the various struggles and strategies used by religious commentators to make sense of this only biblical book that does not mention God
• Asks why Esther is underestimated by contemporary feminist scholars despite a long history of subversive rewritings
• Compares the most influential Jewish and Christian interpretations and interpreters
• Includes an introduction to the book’s myriad representations in literature, music, and art
• Published in the reception-history series, Blackwell Bible Commentaries

Content:
Chapter 1 Esther 1:1–9 (pages 52–67):
Chapter 2 Esther 1:10–22 (pages 68–92):
Chapter 3 Esther 2:1–7 (pages 93–108):
Chapter 4 Esther 2:8–23 (pages 109–132):
Chapter 5 Esther 3 (pages 133–159):
Chapter 6 Esther 4:1–14 (pages 160–175):
Chapter 7 Esther 4:15–17 (pages 176–191):
Chapter 8 Esther 5 (pages 192–220):
Chapter 9 Esther 6 (pages 221–232):
Chapter 10 Esther 7 and 8 (pages 233–253):
Chapter 11 Esther 9 and 10 (pages 254–279):