ESTHER (GREEK)
Greek Esther establishes that God, not Queen Esther, is the “hero” in the story.



What Makes ESTHER (GREEK) Special
The Greek version of the Hebrew Bible Book of Esther is designated Additions to Esther, or Greek Esther. The Hebrew Esther is known for its lack of religious language. It is also known for omitting the name of God in the entire book.

Greek Esther on the other hand mentions God’s name over fifty times. The mention of God’s name and its religious overtones make Greek Esther explicitly a religious story.

We find Esther praying to “the Lord God of Israel” (Add Esth 14:3) and it was God “who changed the spirit of the King [from fierce anger” (15:7) thus establishing God as the real hero in saving the Jews from the evil plans of Haman.

The Additions to Esther consist of 107 additional verses and are added to the Hebrew Esther in different places. These additions have no counterpart in the Hebrew version.

Why Was ESTHER (GREEK) Written
The purpose of Additions to Esther or Greek Esther is clear. The additions provide the religious language missing in the Hebrew Esther. The Additions contain prayers and a prophetic dream. It gives God the sole credit for the salvation of the Jews.

The LXX version of Esther with Additions first circulated among the Greek speaking Jews in Alexandria in the 1st century BCE.

Famous Verse:
14:11 Give not, O Lord, thy sceptre to them that are not, lest they laugh at our ruin: but turn their counsel upon themselves, and destroy him that hath begun to rage against us.
14:13 Give me a well ordered speech in my mouth in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to the hatred of our enemy,