Overview of the additions to Esther and David A. DeSilva, “Additions to Esther: ‘The Aid of the All-Seeing God and Savior,’” in Introducing the Apocrypha: Message, Context, and Significance.

Instead of merely thinking in terms of additions to Esther, one should think of Greek Esther (with two textual histories) and Hebrew Esther since other differences beyond the additions exists between the two major traditions. The following table shows where the additions occur in the Greek tradition in relationship to the Hebrew text: Additions Traditional Text (LXX and Hebrew) Addition A (11.2-12.6) 1.1-3.13 Addition B (13.1-7) 3.14-4.17 Addition C (13.8-14.19) Addition D (15.1-16) 5.1-8.12 Addition E (16.1-24) 8.13-10.3 Addition F (4.4-13; 11.1) The disordered numbering of chapters results from Jerome’s relegation of the additions to the end of the book compounded by Stephen Langton’s chapters and verse divisions added to Jerome’s “new” arrangement. Structure and Contents Addition A reports that Mordecai (said to be one of the captives under Nebuchadnezzar which occurred 112 years earlier!)—has a dream that foreshadows the drama of the book of Esther. Next Mordecai foils an assassination plot against King Artaxerxes whose favor of Mordecai embitters Haman—the antagonist of the story. Addition B contains Haman’s actual edict. Addition C offers a prayer by Mordecai (13.8-17) and another by Esther (14.3-19) before Esther presents herself to the king without prior invitation. Addition D replaces Hebrew Esther 5.1-2 with a more dramatic scene of the queen entering the throne room. In the Greek retelling, God changes the king’s heart to accept the queen’s request. Addition E provides the edict of the king rescinding his previous order. Addition F returns to Mordecai’s dream and closes with a post-script. Textual Transmission The B-Text of the LXX Esther offers a “freer, more literary translation” (114) while the A-Text appears to come from a Semitic text unlike the one underlying the B-Text and is more concise. The OL supports the B-Text; the Co Sahidic and Eth depend on the LXX while the Syr and Vg comes from the Hebrew. The secondary nature of the additions stand out since the traditional text provides a coherent story and the additions add contradictions to the story. Author, Date, and Setting Several hands have been involved in these additions, some arriving from Semitic sources, others from Greek. Provenance of Alexandria is likely. Addition F’s postscript suggests a date of the Greek translation of Esther as either 114 bce (reign of Ptolemy IX Soter) or 77 bce (reign of Ptolemy XII Auletes); the latter seems more likely. Genre, Purpose, and Formative Influences According to DeSilva, these additions add to traditional Esther an overtly religious layer, an enhanced historiography by use of cited edicts, and heightened tensions between Jews and Gentiles (110 and 120). Theological Contribution Unlike Hebrew Esther, Greek Esther speaks of God directly. God is creator of all (13.10); furthermore, God is close to, and holds special, Israel. No one can oppose God’s will (13.9, 11). God controls the nations (16.16) and reveals himself to people (11.12). Finally, God makes the lots fall in the Jew’s favor (10.10-12). On the other hand, Israel has failed God, primarily through the nation’s idolatry, and thus, their current status in exile. The Additions as a Window into Jewish—Gentile Relations Taking its place with Daniel, the additions to Daniel, and other Apocrypha, such as Judith and Tobit, the additions to Esther reveal the increasing pressures the Jews experienced as successive ruling nations seek to assimilate them into the dominant culture. Influence Greek Esther’s influence is limited except where canonicity is affirmed (see, e.g., 1 Clem 55.6 and Clem Alex Stromata 4.19). Overview of the additions to Esther and David A. DeSilva, “Additions to Esther: ‘The Aid of the All-Seeing God and Savior,’” in Introducing the Apocrypha: Message, Context, and Significance. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. Pp. 110-126. Stanley N. Helton NT Backgrounds Reading Colloquium 09 September 2011 2