The Book of Esther is a unique narrative in the Old Testament that tells the story of a Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen of Persia and uses her position to save her people from annihilation. Unlike other biblical books, it does not mention God explicitly, which has led to various interpretations regarding divine providence and human agency.
The authorship of Esther is traditionally attributed to Mordecai, Esther's cousin, although the exact writer remains unknown. The book is thought to have been written in the 5th century BCE, during or after the Jewish exile in Babylon, reflecting the experiences of the Jewish diaspora in a foreign land.
The setting of Esther is the Persian Empire, specifically the city of Susa, where the story unfolds in the royal court. This backdrop is significant as it highlights the challenges faced by the Jewish people living in exile, including issues of identity, assimilation, and survival in a predominantly non-Jewish society.