30 review for Esther

1. 

   5 out of 5

   David J. Harris – Jul 01, 2020

   Careful and thoughtful. Lots of help in most places.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Jimmy Reagan – Sep 14, 2017

   The NIVAC commentary series has successfully found a niche as a resource to pick up after you’ve studied the major exegetical commentaries and now need to think about application and contemporary significance. This commentary on Esther by Karen Jobes fulfills the aims of the series effectively. In the Introduction the author begins with a somewhat subversive illustration to turn our minds toward the subject of the Book of Esther, but becomes much more helpful when she discusses the Book of Esther The NIVAC commentary series has successfully found a niche as a resource to pick up after you’ve studied the major exegetical commentaries and now need to think about application and contemporary significance. This commentary on Esther by Karen Jobes fulfills the aims of the series effectively. In the Introduction the author begins with a somewhat subversive illustration to turn our minds toward the subject of the Book of Esther, but becomes much more helpful when she discusses the Book of Esther itself. The style is more succinct, and even breezy, than in some other series, yet the main points are still well covered. The historical background, as well as authorship and date, are all well covered before the author asked the question: is Esther reliable history? I appreciated, especially after having read as many commentaries on Esther as I have, her saying that the objections raised against the historicity of Esther are not “beyond explanation”. She approaches genre in a section about ancient storytelling and argues that Esther has great value whether it’s historically accurate or not. I’m a firm believer in the historicity of Esther, but love seeing her say that the relationship between biblical narrative and history “consciously rests on the concept that God has in fact worked in history through events that really happened”. Her love of Esther’s story becomes clear in the section on literary structure. Again, this section is not as lengthy as in some of the larger commentaries, but the bases are still well covered. The same could be said of the section on the theology of Esther. Even more in line with the design of this series is the final section on contemporary significance. You will gain some helpful insights. After a bibliography, she jumps right into the commentary itself. As with every volume in this series, it is divided into original meaning, bridging contexts, and contemporary significance. That design can’t help but have some repetition, but the author did a good job with it. I rate this volume as a success and a worthy addition to your library. I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

3. 

   4 out of 5

   John – Dec 21, 2018

   Overall Jobes does a great job showing the significance of the Book of Esther to the Jewish Population after the exile and then in turn to modern readers. Jobes explains and explored the text in a literary way that repels much of excessive hermeneutic that might bias and read into the text. That being said there is still much more detail and analysis that could have been explored. It is a great commentary to begin within a study of Esther and does really satisfactorily highlight the more importa Overall Jobes does a great job showing the significance of the Book of Esther to the Jewish Population after the exile and then in turn to modern readers. Jobes explains and explored the text in a literary way that repels much of excessive hermeneutic that might bias and read into the text. That being said there is still much more detail and analysis that could have been explored. It is a great commentary to begin within a study of Esther and does really satisfactorily highlight the more important ideas and themes. Jobes uses strong scholarship and remains accessible for readers.

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Parker – Dec 08, 2019

   Jobes's commentary on Esther is clear, accessible, and thoroughly Christ centered. Her sections of application consistently bring everything back to the gospel. She interacts with liberal, feminist, and traditional Jewish misreadings of the book without getting bogged down by technical detail. She brings out historical and literary details that had previously passed over my head. Finally, she demonstrates how the book fits into the wider canon and what it contributes to a sound systematic theolo Jobes's commentary on Esther is clear, accessible, and thoroughly Christ centered. Her sections of application consistently bring everything back to the gospel. She interacts with liberal, feminist, and traditional Jewish misreadings of the book without getting bogged down by technical detail. She brings out historical and literary details that had previously passed over my head. Finally, she demonstrates how the book fits into the wider canon and what it contributes to a sound systematic theology. Good stuff.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   PastorAaron – Mar 06, 2017

   Excellent Commentary. It seemed to have the right balance of interpretation and application, and answered the questions that I had on the text. I am glad that I used it in conjunction with a few other commentaries, including the Tyndale OT Commentary on Esther, as the Tyndale Commentary had a comprehensive introduction section and an appendix that included the additional text used in the Septuagint and Apocrypha. However, this quickly became my main reference work.

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Allan Bevere – Apr 14, 2020

   A readable commentary with good insight on the text. I appreciated the Christological connections made from the text in the application sections without reading those connections into the text itself. This is a good commentary for the devotional life and for preaching.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Rob – Sep 27, 2018

   Excellent commentary from a reformed perspective.

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Valen Warner – Feb 08, 2020

   Second time through this commentary. It’s even more enriching this time around.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Rodney Harvill – Dec 08, 2020

   This commentary is my first exposure to the NIV Application Commentary series, and I am quite impressed. For those not familiar with the format, the commentary follows this sequence: • The NIV text of the passage under consideration • Original Meaning, which discusses any linguistic issues as well as historical data to better understand what the text most likely meant when first written. • Bridging Contexts, which connects the historical context and our contemporary context, fleshing out timeless This commentary is my first exposure to the NIV Application Commentary series, and I am quite impressed. For those not familiar with the format, the commentary follows this sequence: • The NIV text of the passage under consideration • Original Meaning, which discusses any linguistic issues as well as historical data to better understand what the text most likely meant when first written. • Bridging Contexts, which connects the historical context and our contemporary context, fleshing out timeless truths for contemporary application. • Contemporary Significance, in which the focus is on contemporary application. In other words, how does this book affect our beliefs and conduct? Because I will one day stand before my God to give account for every thought, word and action, I care about proper understanding and application of the Bible and don’t particularly like it when a theologian states what the biblical text means without providing his reasoning. Will God allow me to pass the buck to that theologian and his expert interpretation? I think not. So, I liked how Dr. Jobes used this format to provide her reasoning, which gave me the opportunity to critically evaluate it. Personally, I thought her reasoning and resultant applications were quite good but recommend that you also critically evaluate her conclusions and not just take my word for it. After all, you, too, will be in the dock with me giving an account for your words, deeds and actions.

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Graham – Feb 22, 2017

    Commentaries can't always be described as fun to read, but I really did have fun reading this one. Jobes did her Ph.D. research on the Greek text of Esther, so she obviously really knows what she's talking about, but she's also managed to add humourous insights and helpful comments to make an often neglected text very interesting and relevant. Commentaries can't always be described as fun to read, but I really did have fun reading this one. Jobes did her Ph.D. research on the Greek text of Esther, so she obviously really knows what she's talking about, but she's also managed to add humourous insights and helpful comments to make an often neglected text very interesting and relevant.

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Rob Sumrall – Aug 08, 2014

    This is the best commentary on Esther that I have personally read! I recently preached through the book. I utilized several commentaries on Esther, but none was more helpful to me than Karen Jobes fine work. The book is the perfect combination of textual analysis, historical context, and modern application. If you are looking for a hyper-technical work, this isn't it. That isn't to say that Jobes doesn't deal with textual issues from a solidly academic perspective; she does! I recommend this book This is the best commentary on Esther that I have personally read! I recently preached through the book. I utilized several commentaries on Esther, but none was more helpful to me than Karen Jobes fine work. The book is the perfect combination of textual analysis, historical context, and modern application. If you are looking for a hyper-technical work, this isn't it. That isn't to say that Jobes doesn't deal with textual issues from a solidly academic perspective; she does! I recommend this book to pastors, sharp lay leaders, and small group leaders who are serious about studying the text.

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Matt Moran – Mar 05, 2013

    Straightforward and helpful commentary. Definitely useful in preparation for preaching through Esther. The format of this commentary series (always bridging to 'contemporary' life) is often forced and repetitive, but I found that to be less of an issue in this book. Straightforward and helpful commentary. Definitely useful in preparation for preaching through Esther. The format of this commentary series (always bridging to 'contemporary' life) is often forced and repetitive, but I found that to be less of an issue in this book.

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Justin Gottlieb – Mar 02, 2013

    This is a really solid commentary that I would recommend for content, though I idn't find it to be that enjoyable to read. I think that is because of the NIVAC series and the structure that it is written in. This is a really solid commentary that I would recommend for content, though I idn't find it to be that enjoyable to read. I think that is because of the NIVAC series and the structure that it is written in.

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Jonathan Mcleod – May 03, 2016

    The best commentary on the book of Esther.

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Mark Barnes – Nov 08, 2011

    A wonderful commentary full of practical application and incisive theology. One of the best practical commentaries I have ever read on any book of the Bible.

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Bryan – Jul 28, 2014

    Readable. Great commentary on Esther. Good context with application and background info.

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Luke Evans – Dec 22, 2011

    By far best commentary on Esther

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Aaron and Megan Massey –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Zak –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Hallie Carl –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Graeme Lauber –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Dave Chambers –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Jolene –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Matt Wolf –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    Beth Fisher –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Gabrielle –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Peggany –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Rev Reads –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Filip De –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Terry Threadwell –