Book tells history leading to feast
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The Hebrews divided their scriptures in a different order than is employed in the arrangement of books in the King James edition of the Bible. The Hebrew cannon consisted of three parts: the Law, the Prophets and the Writings.
The book of Esther comes under the division of the Writings. Also known as the Hagiographa, the Writings consist of five books: Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and Esther. These books, also known as the Five Rolls, were read as lessons at festivals.The book of Esther contains the history that led to the institution of the Jewish Feast of Purim. As is the case with several other books of the Old Testament, Esther does not appear in chronological order in the King James Bible.
The events described in the book of Esther are generally believed to have occurred between events narrated in the first and last portions of the book of Ezra. In the King James Bible, Esther is placed after the book of Nehemiah, possibly because early scholars felt it was important to keep the books of Ezra and Nehemiah together.
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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: My Neighbor, My Sister, My Friend, by Ardeth G. Kapp; Bible dictionary, 1979 LDS edition of King James Bible.
