Esther's Promised Reward in the Book of Esther
The Book of Esther does not explicitly mention a "promised reward" for Esther in the sense of a divine or contractual recompense. Instead, the narrative focuses on her actions and the king's responses to her requests. Esther, whose Hebrew name was Hadassah, became queen of Ahasuerus and was instrumental in saving her people [6].
When Esther approaches the king without being summoned, she risks her life. The king extends his golden scepter to her, signifying his acceptance and granting her favor [1, 2]. This act of grace allows her to present her petition. The king then asks Esther what her request is, stating, "What is your petition? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom, it shall be performed" [5]. This offer is a significant gesture from the king, indicating his willingness to fulfill her desires.
Esther's initial request is not for a personal reward but for the king and Haman to attend a banquet she prepares [5]. At this banquet, and a subsequent one, she reveals Haman's plot against the Jews and pleads for her people's lives. The king's response is to condemn Haman and grant Esther and Mordecai authority to issue a new decree to counteract Haman's earlier edict [4].
In Jewish thought, the concept of "reward" (Hebrew: mehir) often appears in contexts of recompense for actions or compensation [3, 7]. For instance, Abraham Ibn Ezra interprets "seed" as a recompense for shame [8] and "promotion" as involving money [9]. He also discusses payment for seduction [10] or for ensuring certain outcomes [14]. The idea of reward can also be tied to extolling God [12] or receiving blessings from heaven [13]. Rashi, another Jewish commentator, speaks of God's "recompense for the deed" that God is obligated to give [11]. However, these interpretations are general discussions of reward and not specific to Esther's situation in the biblical text.
The narrative of Esther emphasizes her courage and strategic actions, which lead to the deliverance of the Jewish people and the establishment of the festival of Purim [4]. The "reward" in this context is the successful outcome of her efforts and the salvation of her community, rather than a personal material gain promised to her beforehand.
Sources
- Esther “Esther 5:2 (YLT) — and it cometh to pass, at the king's seeing Esther the queen standing in the court, she hath received grace in his eyes, and the king holdeth out to Esther the golden sceptre that <FI>is<Fi> in his hand, and Esther draweth near, and toucheth the top of the sceptre.”
- Esther “Then the king held out to Esther the golden scepter. So Esther arose, and stood before the king. -- Esther 8:4”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Mehir — a reward”
- Esther “The commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book. -- Esther 9:32”
- Esther “If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.” -- Esther 5:8”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Esther — The queen of Ahasuerus, and heroine of the book that bears her name. She was a Jewess named Hadas'sah (the myrtle), but when she entered the royal harem she received the name by which she henceforth became known (Esther 2:7). It is a Syro-Arabian modification of the Persian word satarah, which means a star. She was the daughter of Abihail, a Benjamite. Her family did not avail themselves of the permission granted by Cyrus to the exiles to return to Jerusalem; and she resided with her cousin Mordecai, who held some office in the household of the Persian king ”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Matthew — given; a reward”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 5:28: AND SHALL CONCEIVE SEED. God will give her seed in recompense for the shame which befell her.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 22:17: FOR I WILL PROMOTE THEE. With money.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 22:16: HE SHALL PAY MONEY. For seducing her.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Isaiah 40:10: and His recompense [lit. His deed,] the recompense for the deed, which He is obliged to give them.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 26:19: AND TO MAKE THEE HIGH. This is the reward for extolling God.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 33:13: FOR THE PRECIOUS THINGS. Which the heavens will give.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 22:12: IF IT BE TORN IN PIECES. He was paid for this. 35 He was paid to make sure this did not happen.”