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Esther 1:1–10:3

Esther

The plot unfolds over ten years of Ahasuerus' reign and turns on the night the king could not sleep.

Esther as a chiasm

Joyce G. Baldwin, Esther (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries)

  1. A
    Opening and background1
  2. B
    The king's first decree2–3
  3. C
    The clash between Haman and Mordecai4–5
  4. X
    "On the night the king could not sleep"6:1
  5. C′
    Mordecai's triumph over Haman6–7
  6. B′
    The king's second decree8–9
  7. A′
    Epilogue10

Reversals around the sleepless night

Yonatan Grossman, Virtual Beit Midrash (vbm-torah.org)

  1. A
    Ahasuerus' Kingdom1:1–2
  2. B
    Two Feasts1:3–81. for princes of provinces; 2. for inhabitants of Shushan
  3. C
    Esther comes before the king and is chosen as queen2:1–18
  4. D
    Description of Haman's position3:1–6
  5. E
    Casting of the lot: war on the 13th of Adar3:7
  6. F
    Giving the ring to Haman, Haman's letters, Mordecai tearing garments, fasting for the Jews3:8–4:17
  7. G
    Esther's first feast5:1–8
  8. H
    Haman's consultation with his associates5:9–14
  9. X
    The king cannot sleep6:1–11Exodus
  10. H′
    Haman's consultation with his associates6:12–14
  11. G′
    Esther's second feast7:1–10
  12. F′
    Giving the ring to Mordecai, Mordecai's letters, dressing of Mordecai in royal garments, feast for the Jews8:1–17
  13. E′
    War on the 13th of Adar9:1–2
  14. D′
    Description of the position of Jews and Mordecai9:3–4
  15. C′
    Esther comes before king to request additional day of battle in Shushan9:11–15
  16. B′
    Two Feasts9:16–191. for Jews of provinces; 2. for Jews of Shushan
  17. A′
    Ahasuerus' Kingdom10