The cult of Esther: Temple and priestly imagery in the book of Esther

Abstract

The MT of Esther studiously avoids mentioning God as well as any devotional practices such as prayer that would point to a deity. While this initial impression of ‘secularity’ has been frequently discussed, this article seeks to demonstrate that there are more traces of divine presence in the book than have typically been acknowledged. Specifically, it argues that the MT of Esther employs terminology that carries distinctive associations with the OT cult. That is, the book contains a number of verbal cues that evoke the Temple’s furnishings, functionaries, structure, and rituals. This article presents a number of examples of cultic imagery in Megillat Esther and suggests some ways in which their presence affects the interpretation of the book.