Log inSign up

Esther 10 · a question people ask

Does the book really end without naming God?

In the text

Yes. The last three verses, like the rest of Esther, never name God (see the introduction). They tell of a king's tribute (10:1), a record in "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia" (10:2), and Mordecai "seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his descendants" (10:3). The book doesn't say why it names no God, and these notes don't either. Christians read Mordecai's words "relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place" (Esther 4:14) in two main ways; chapter 4's honest question sets them out, each resting on its verses, and chooses neither. Nothing in chapter 10 adds a verse to either reading.

The verses

“King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. Aren’t all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was next to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and accepted by the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his descendants.”
Esther 10:1-3 · World English Bible
“For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?””
Esther 4:14 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Esther 10

Esther 10: Next to the king

Esther ends the way Kings closes a king's story, asking if it isn't "written in the book of the chronicles of the kings" (10:2). But beside the king's acts, that record holds "the full account of the greatness of Mordecai" (10:2): the man from the king's gate, now "next to King Ahasuerus", "seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his descendants" (10:3).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekEsther 10 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Esther 10

All questions about Esther →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions