this issue
previous article in this issuenext article in this issue

Document Details :

Title: Forms of Esther
Subtitle: Hebrew Satire and Greek Novella
Author(s): RASMUSSEN, Angela Parchen
Journal: Biblica
Volume: 99    Issue: 3   Date: 2018   
Pages: 373-392
DOI: 10.2143/BIB.99.3.3285367

Abstract :
The Old Greek version of Esther is an expansion and adaptation of the Hebrew version. The additions increase its length, provide references to God and to prayer, and explain aspects of the Hebrew story that are unclear. In this paper, I compare chaps. 1-3 and 8-10 of the two versions, excluding the additions, and show that the differences also amount to a change in genre between the two versions. The Hebrew version is a satire of the Persian government; the Old Greek version is a suspenseful novella of Esther’s and Mordecai’s roles saving the Jews from death.

Download article