Esther ( /ˈɛstər/; Hebrew: אֶסְתֵּר, Ester ʼEstēr), born Hadassah, is the eponymous heroine of the Biblical Book of Esther. According to the Bible, she was a Jewish queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus. Ahasuerus is traditionally identified with Xerxes I during the time of the Achaemenid empire. Her story is the basis for the celebration of Purim in Jewish tradition.
Read more about Esther: Biblical Story, Origin and Meaning, Interpretations, Persian Culture, Modern Retelling
Famous quotes containing the word esther:
“So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor?” Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?””
—Bible: Hebrew, Esther 6:6.
“...if I perish, I perish.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Esther 4:16.
Queen Esther, as she gathers strength to go to the king on behalf of her people.