Baldwin, Joyce G. Esther: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1984. A passage-by-passage commentary on the history, theology, and structure of the book.

Breneman, Mervin. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. NAC. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1993. An exegetical and theological exposition that reads Esther as historical narrative. Verse-by-verse commentary of the NIV text.

Bush, Frederic. Ruth/Esther. WBC. Dallas: Word 1996. A literary analysis, drawing on genre and discourse structure that divides the book into acts, scenes, and episodes. Includes notes on the Hebrew text and extensive bibliography.

Clines, D. J. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. NCBC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. Verse-by-verse commentary based on RSV text with introductory discussion, including canonicity, historicity, and the influence of other literature on the Esther story.

Dillard, R. D., and T. Longman III. “Esther.” Pp. 189–97 in An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. Discusses the historical background, literary structure, and theological message of the book.

Fox, Michael V. Character and Ideology in the Book of Esther. Columbia, S.C.: Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1991. More than a commentary, this excellent work by a Jewish scholar includes a discussion of each character in the story, the major motifs, the three versions of the Esther story, as well as philological-textual notes on the Hebrew.

Gordis, Robert. Megillat Esther: Introduction, New Translation and Commentary. New York: Ktav, 1974. An English translation of the Esther scroll, with introduction and commentary, intended for use in the home and synagogue. Also includes the synagogue Ma’ariv service for Purim. A valuable look at how Esther is appreciated by Jewish people today.

Levenson, Jon D. Esther: A Commentary. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster/John Knox, 1997. A Jewish scholar brings the best of recent scholarship to bear on the book of Esther, including commentary on the six major additions found only in the Greek version.

Luter, A. Boyd, and Barry C. Davis. God Behind the Seen: Expositions of the Books of Ruth and Esther. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995. A popular exposition of Esther written in a fun-to-read, anecdotal style.

Moore, C. A. The Anchor Bible: Esther. New York: Doubleday, 1971. An English translation of Esther with brief commentary and textual notes. The introduction includes discussions of the historicity and canonicity of the book, the style and syntax of the Hebrew text, and the two Greek versions. A valuable, but dated, bibliography.

——— Studies in the Book of Esther. New York: Ktav, 1982. An anthology of valuable journal articles on various topics concerning the book of Esther.

——— “Eight Questions Most Frequently Asked About the Book of Esther.” Bible Review 3 (Spring 1987): 16–32. A concise response to questions on the more puzzling aspects of the book of Esther. Includes a gallery of photographs of scenes from the Esther story as depicted in fine art.

Pagán, Samuel. Esdras, Nehemivas y Ester. Comentario Biblico Hispanoamericano. Miami: Editorial Caribe, 1992. Commentary on sections of the book of Esther with essays on modern political issues such as the abuse of power, the problem of vengeance, and the relationship of Christians to secular authorities. Written in Spanish.

Paton, L. B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Esther. ICC. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1908; repr. 1976. An oldie but goodie that includes philological and historical information not found elsewhere. Also includes material from the Aramaic Targums of Esther.

Vos, Howard F. Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. BSC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987. An amplification of the Esther story written for the popular audience.

Ackroyd, Peter R. Israel Under Babylon and Persia. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 1970. This source only mentions the book of Esther in passing, but it provides historical information about the exilic and postexilic period that illuminates the biblical texts of that period.

Boyce, Mary. “Persian Religion in the Achaemenid Age.” Pp. 279–307 in Cambridge History of Judaism. Ed. W. Davies and L. Finkelstein. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1984. An encyclopedic-style work providing valuable historical information on the religious ethos in which the Jews of Persia lived.

Heltzer, Michael. “The Book of Esther: Where Does Fiction Start and History End?” Bible Review 8 (February 1992): 24–30. A brief overview of the historical problems scholars have found with the book of Esther. Illustrated, including a photograph of a pur unearthed by archaeologists.

Moore, Carey A. “Archaeology and the Book of Esther.” Biblical Archaeologist 38 (Sept. & Dec. 1975): 62–79. Surveys the archaeological evidence that informs the historical character of the book of Esther.

Olmstead, A. T. History of the Persian Empire. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1948. The classic, but dated, history of Persia.

Yamauchi, Edwin M. Persia and the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990. Extensive survey of the archaeological and historical evidence from the Persian period of relevance to the biblical texts.

Berg, Sandra Beth. The Book of Esther: Motifs, Themes and Structure. SBLDS. Missoula, Mont.: Scholars, 1979. A literary analysis of the composition of Esther. Includes a comparison of the themes of Esther with the Joseph story.

Clines, David J. A. “Reading Esther from Left to Right: Contemporary Strategies for Reading a Biblical Text.” Pp. 31–52 in The Bible in Three Dimensions: Essays in Celebration of Forty Years of Biblical Studies in the University of Sheffield. W. E. Fowl, D. J. A. Clines, and S. E. Porter, eds. Sheffield: JSOT, 1990. Considers the book of Esther in light of modern literary theories, including formalism, structuralism, feminism, and deconstruction.

Day, Linda. Three Faces of a Queen: Characterization in the Books of Esther. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995. Compares the characterization of Queen Esther as she is portrayed in the Hebrew and the two Greek versions.

Goldman, Stan. “Narrative and Ethical Ironies in Esther.” JSOT 47 (1990): 15–31. Explores the ethical implications of the Jewish attack on the Persians by considering the use of irony woven throughout the plot.

Gordis, Robert. “Studies in the Esther Narrative.” JBL 95 (1976): 43–58. Examines a number of passages and exegetical questions, such as the second gathering of virgins, Mordecai’s role at the city gate, and various lexical issues.

McClarity, Wilma. “Esther.” Pp. 216–29 in A Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. L. Ryken and T. Longman III, eds. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993. Discusses narrative plot, characterization, and literary setting of the book.

Radday, Yehuda T., and Athalya Brenner, eds. On Humour and the Comic in the Hebrew Bible. JSOTSup 92. Sheffield: Almond, 1990. Points out the humor and irony in the Hebrew text that has been largely lost in translation.

Ryken, Leland. Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987. A good introduction to appreciating the literary qualities of Scripture. Contains a brief discussion of the narrative structure and characterization in Esther.

Sasson, Jack M. “Esther.” Pp. 335–42 in The Literary Guide to the Bible. R. Alter and F. Kermode, eds. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Univ. Press, 1987. A synopsis of the plot and characters that points out the salient literary features of the story.

Brenner, Athalya, ed. A Feminist Companion to Esther, Judith and Susanna. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995. A collection of essays written on sundry topics, such as honor and shame in Esther, a haggadic approach to reading Esther, and Queen Esther as interpreted in fine art (with illustrations).

Sabua, R. “The Hidden Hand of God.” Bible Review 8 (February 1992): 31–33. A modern example of a mystical approach to Scripture used throughout history by some Jewish interpreters to find hidden messages encoded in the Hebrew text of Esther.

Walfish, Barry Dov. Esther in Medieval Garb: Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Esther in the Middle Ages. Albany: SUNY Press, 1993. A thorough study of the interpretation of Esther during medieval times, when the book enjoyed widespread popularity.

Fox, Michael V. “The Religion of the Book of Esther.” Judaism 39/2 (1990): 135–47. A discussion of divine providence as evidenced in Esther written from the perspective of a modern Jewish scholar.

Pierce, Ronald W. “The Politics of Esther and Mordecai: Courage or Compromise?” BBR 2 (1992): 75–89. Explores the view that Esther, Mordecai, and their fellow Jews of Persia had become secularized and had compromised their spiritual identity. Explains the events of the story as God’s wake-up call to his lethargic people, making them more fully aware of their calling.

Berkouwer, G. C. Studies in Dogmatics: The Providence of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, repr. 1983. This classic work on the Christian doctrine of divine providence fails to mention the book of Esther, but provides a comprehensive discussion of God’s ordinary work in human history.

Carson, D. A. Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Biblical Perspectives in Tension. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994. A fine discussion of the intriguing relationship between God’s sovereignty and human will.

Sproul, R. C. The Providence of God. Video and audio series. Orlando: Ligonier Ministries, 1990. A cogent presentation of the doctrine of divine providence, including a discussion of God’s involvement in human evil, the issue of human freedom, and the motivation for prayer in light of God’s providence. Comes with Study Guide.