Biblical literature takes different forms depending on the targeted audience. The Bible as a literary spiritual text contains a number of books that employ different genres of literature including poetry, prophesy, apocalyptic, law, wisdom, historical, epistle, romance, and parables. The different genres serve different purposes in spreading of faith among Christians. This paper discusses the Book of Esther from the Old Testament that is a historical genre of biblical literature.
The Book of Esther, as a historical genre, narrates past events when God is believed to have intervened to save the Jewish community. Chapter 3 of the Book of Esther records the ascension of Haman to a powerful position within the Babylonian kingdom under King Ahasuerus (Esther 3:1-15). Events in the preceding chapter 2 record the rift between Haman and the Jewish leader, Mordecai. The historical style of narration helps create suspense as a driver of retaliatory actions Haman would take to inflict suffering upon Mordecai and the Jews.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
In chapter 3, Haman uses his influence and powerful position to plan the annihilation of Jews as a way of making Mordecai feel his wrath (Esther 3:8). The previous chapter 2 however, had seen Esther, a Jew of Mordecai’s kinship; ascend to the position of Queen to King Ahasuerus (Esther 7:1-10). It is through the coincidence that Esther manages to convince the King to invoke a lesser law that would have Jews saved from permanent annihilation, Haman punished for his hideous plans, and Mordecai rewarded for his loyal service.
The chronology of biblical records in the Book of Esther allows readers to interpret the Bible contents from a spiritual point rather than historical view. The choice of historical genre as used in the Book of Esther has significant impact on how you interpret the events. Audiences see these events as divine interventions from God, making them rather spiritual than historical.
References
The Bible . Authorized King James Version, Oxford UP, 1998.
