Violence and Divine Victory in the Book of Esther (Forschungen Zum Alten Testament 2.reihe)

Thomas Wetzel offers a new way to understand the violence and religious absence long emphasized in readings of the Hebrew version of the Esther story. By tracing the vestiges of Jewish liturgical activity described in the story as well as the story's reliance on the tradition of the Divine Combat myth, the author uncovers a profound, yet intentionally hidden, religious sensibility within the story's narrative world. These connections link the Esther story to the great acts of deliverance in the larger biblical tradition, but also bring into sharp focus the biblical view that Israel's survival and sometimes violent deliverance remain the definitive sign of the Lord's ongoing and active presence in creation. The author's conclusion suggests that this understanding has profound implications for Jewish-Christian dialogue and for the future existence and practice of the two communities. Cover Title Preface Acknowledgements Table of Contents Introduction: The Delicate Art of Esther Chapter 1: There's Something about Ester Chapter 2: A Set of Greek Correctives Chapter 3: Hidden within the Seed Chapter 4: Acting Jewish Chapter 5: Creation ex Chaos Chapter 6: Under the Curse Of Destination Conclusion: "Reveal Yourself in this Time of Our Afflictions" Bibliography Index of References Index of Subjects Bekannt für ihre Gewalt und den Mangel an religiöser Sprache scheint die biblische Esther-Geschichte eine unwahrscheinliche Quelle für das Verständnis von Gottes andauernder Verbindung zur Schöpfung zu sein. Thomas Wetzel fordert hier den Leser heraus, der Geschichte auf den Grund zu gehen, um Gott, Israel und eine Welt zu finden, die reich an religiöser Bedeutung ist