a purpose 11 There is a brief reference to this interim period in the parenthesis of 4:6-23 (Ahasuerus, 4:6, is probably Xerxes, though some identify him as Cambyses, son of Cyrus.) 12 Isaiah prophesied concerning Cyrus two hundred years before Cyrus was born Read Isaiah 44:28; 45:1-4 13 See The Wycli e Bible Commentary, p 435, for an explanation of this 14 Some of this material is a review of the historical setting described earlier in the chapter 15 Persia at this time included the vast territory from India to Ethiopia, Judah being one of its provinces 16 Howard Crosby, “Nehemiah,” in Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, p 17 John C Whitcomb, “Nehemiah,” in The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p 435 18 See Chart 57 The reason for studying Nehemiah directly after Ezra is to maintain the continuity of the theme of Ezra-Nehemiah 19 The book of Esther is read at the Jews’ Feast of Purim (March 14-15) 20 Some Bibles (e.g., Catholic) add “Additions to Esther” (identi ed as 10:4–16:24) to the canonical book, intended mainly to compensate for the absence of the name of God The fact that no portion of the book of Esther has yet been discovered in the Qumran area (place of the Dead Sea Scrolls discoveries) indicates that the Essenes of Qumran probably rejected the canonicity of Esther 21 The term Ahasuerus may have been a Persian title for king, rather than a name, similar to the title pharaoh See Esther 1:1-2 22 John Phillips, Exploring the Scriptures, p 91 23 The modern name for Persia is Iran 24 Matthew Henry writes, “If the name of God is not here, His nger is.” See 4:14 for an example of an implied divine Providence Part Reflections and Worship During the Monarchial Years ... to the canonical book, intended mainly to compensate for the absence of the name of God The fact that no portion of the book of Esther has yet been discovered in the Qumran area (place of the. .. to maintain the continuity of the theme of Ezra-Nehemiah 19 The book of Esther is read at the Jews’ Feast of Purim (March 14-15) 20 Some Bibles (e.g., Catholic) add “Additions to Esther” (identi... that the Essenes of Qumran probably rejected the canonicity of Esther 21 The term Ahasuerus may have been a Persian title for king, rather than a name, similar to the title pharaoh See Esther