Esther test

The death of King Ahasuerus in 464 B. C.

The book of Esther must have been written soon after what event?

Events in Xerxes' reign in the 5th century B.C. At Shushan

The book of Esther records what events?

The ironclad nature of the laws that governed the Persian empire; once a law was issued it could not be revoked

The book of Esther refers to "the laws of the Persians and the Medes", which describes what?

Xerxes' planning for military campaign against Greek

The historian Herodotus refers to this banquet as what occasion?

Ahasuerus (Hebrew); Xerxes (Greek)

What are the Hebrew and Greek names of Khshayarsh, king of Persia?

A well- organized postal system

What did the Persian empire boast of?

A date later than 400 B.C. as there is no trace of Greek influence

What do the historical and linguistic features of Esther not support?

To appeal to the king to spare the Jews

What does Mordecai ask Esther to do, saying that she has been called to her high position for this purpose?

Greeks defeat the Persians at Salamis

What happened in 479 B.C.?

He is hanged on the gallows that he had intended for Mordecai

What happens to Haman at the end of the story?

He is elevated and set over the house of Haman

What happens to Mordecai at the end of the story?

A garment made of coarse sacking and worn as an indication of remorse; usually made of camel's hair, goat hair, cotton, or flax.

What is a Sackcloth?

It signed official documents

What is a signet ring?

God uses ordinary men and women to overcome impossible circumstances and accomplish his gracious purposes

What is the clear message of Esther?

Between 464 and 435 B.C.

What is the probable time of authorship of Ezra?

The Assyrian word "pure" meaning "lot", referring to the lots cast by Haman to determine the day of the Jewish annihalation

What is the word "Purim" derived from?

A boisterous one with emotional extremes

What type a king was Xerxes?

Hadassah ("myrtle")

What was Esther's Hebrew name?

Ester

What was Esther's Persian name?

The administrative capital

What was Shushan in the Persian empire?

To indicate rank and imprint seals on important letters

What was the original purpose of a signet ring?

In 484 B.C. In Halicarnassus (now Bodrum, Turkey)

When and where was Herodotus born?

Purim (late winter)

Which feast becomes an annual reminder of God's faithfulness on behalf of his people?

That God put her into position "For such a time as this..."

While the name of God does not appear in Esther, what is made apparent with Mordecai's counsel?

Mordecai, Ezra, Nehemiah

Who do some people believe wrote Esther?

The many Jews who did not return to their homeland

Who was Esther addressed to?

Greek historian known as the father of history

Who was Herodotus?

A younger contemporary of Mordecai, using his records

Who was most likely to have written the book of Esther?

Warn the king of an assassination plot

With Esther's help, what is Mordecai able to do?

She invites the king and Haman to a banquet

After fasting, what does Esther do?

That the Jews may assemble and defend themselves on the day they are attacked by their enemies

At Esther's request taking issues what new decree to all the provinces?

First return led by Zerrubabel and second return led by Ezra (6-7)

Between what two events in Ezra does the story of Esther's life fit in?

Bow to him

Even though Haman becomes captain of the princes, Mordecai refuses to do what?

486-464 B.C.

For what period of time did Xerxes rule over Persia?

Protection and providence

God's hand of ____ and ____ on behalf of his people is evident throughout the book, even though his name does not appear once.

By the courage of Esther and the counsel of her uncle Mordecai, resulting in a great deliverance

How is Haman's plot to bring grave danger to the Jews countered?

From the work of predecessors but also widely supplemented with knowledge gains from travels

How was Herodotus' information derived?

She makes her plea for her people and accuses Haman of his treachery

After Ahasuerus offers Esther up to half his kingdom, what does Esther do?

Details of the events in the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes)

Though the author's identity is not disclosed in the text, what details indicate that he lived in Persia during this period?