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Esther (The NIV Application Commentary) Hardcover – June 1, 1999

by Karen H. Jobes (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 176 ratings
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The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context.

This commentary shows how Esther is perfect guidance for us when we find ourselves in a situation where right and wrong are not so clearly defined and every choice we have seems to be a troubling mixture of good and bad. Esther is perfect inspiration for us when we find ourselves in situations we never sought, never planned for, and don’t think we have the gifts to succeed at.

To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's context, each passage is treated in three sections:

  • Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context.
  • Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible.
  • Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved.

This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.

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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    The NIV Application Commentary
  2. Print length
    256 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Zondervan Academic
  5. Publication date
    June 1, 1999
  6. Dimensions
    6.45 x 0.85 x 9.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    9780310206729
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0310206729
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

THE NIV APPLICATION COMMENTARY. From Biblical text to contemporary life.
bring an ancient message of the Bible into today's context.

Original Meaning

Bridging Contexts

Contemporary significance

Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context.

A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible.

Identification of comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved.

Eugene Peterson

Praise for the NIV Application Commentary series

“The NIV Application Commentary series doesn’t fool around: It gets right down to business, bringing this ancient and powerful Word of God into the present so that it can be heard and delivered with all the freshness of a new day, with all the immediacy of a friend’s embrace.”

─Eugene Peterson

Eugene Peterson

Billy Graham

Rick Warren

J.I. Packer

Esther Job Palms volume 1 Psalms volume 2 Proverbs Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs
Esther Job Psalms Volume 1 Psalms, Volume 2 Proverbs Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
176
4.6 out of 5 stars
78
4.8 out of 5 stars
110
4.9 out of 5 stars
87
4.6 out of 5 stars
70
4.6 out of 5 stars
80
Price $18.99 $23.99 $37.99 $37.05 $30.99 $26.51
Author Karen H. Jobes John H. Walton Gerald H. Wilson W. Dennis Tucker Jr. and Jamie A. Grant Paul E. Koptak Iain Provan
Pages 256 480 1024 1072 720 400
Format(s) Hardcover, eBook Hardcover, eBook Hardcover, eBook Hardcover, eBook Hardcover, eBook Hardcover, eBook

Editorial Reviews

Review

“At a time when many pastors are deeply in need of inspiration and encouragement, these volumes… would be a good investment for congregations, even if it means adding a line to the annual budget.” -- Christianity Today

“Here at last is a commentary which is not only academically well informed but which helps that commentary reader hear God’s Word and consider its implications; scholarship in service of the Church.” -- Arthur Rowe, Spurgeon’s College

“If you want to avoid hanging applicational elephants from interpretational threads, then the NIV Application Commentary is for you! This series excels at both original meaning and contemporary significance. I support it one hundred percent.” -- Howard G. Hendricks, Dallas Theological Seminary

“It is encouraging to find a commentary that is not only biblically trustworthy but also contemporary in its application. The NIV Application Commentary series will prove to be a helpful tool in the pastor’s sermon preparation. I use it and recommend it.” -- Charles F. Stanley, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Atlanta

“It takes more than interpretation of God's Word to change lives, it takes application. Application is the bottom line in preaching and teaching. Without it, we’ve missed the point of the Bible. The NIV Application Commentary is an outstanding resource for pastors and anyone else who is serious about developing ‘doers of the Word.’” -- Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Valley Community Church

“The NIV Application Commentary builds bridges that make the Bible come alive with meaning for contemporary life--and the series do so concisely, clearly, and accurately. No wasted words or academic detours--just solid help and practical truth.” -- Warren W. Weirsbe

“The NIV Application Commentary dares to go where few scholars have gone before---into the real world of biblical application faced by pastor and teachers every day. This is everything a good commentary series should be.” -- Leith Anderson, Pastor, Wooddale Church

“The NIV Application Commentary is a magnificent gift to the church!” -- Dr. R. Kent Hughes, Pastor, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois

“The NIV Application Commentary meets the urgent need for an exhaustive and authoritative commentary based on the New International Version. This series will soon be found in libraries and studies throughout the entire evangelical community.” -- Dr. James Kennedy, PhD, Senior Minister, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

“The NIV Application Commentary series doesn’t fool around: It gets right down to business, bringing this ancient and powerful Word of God into the present so that it can be heard and delivered with all the freshness of a new day, with all the immediacy of a friend’s embrace.” -- Eugene Peterson

“The NIV Application Commentary series helps pastors and other Bible teachers with one of the most neglected elements of good preaching---accurate, useful application. Most commentaries tell you a few things that are helpful and much that you do not need to know. By dealing with the original meaning and contemporary significance of each passage, the NIV Application Commentary series promises to be helpful all the way around.” -- Dr. James Montgomery Boice, Tenth Presbyterian Church

“The NIV Application Commentary series promises to be of great service to all who preach and teach the Word of God.” -- J. I. Packer, Regent College

“The NIV Application Commentary series will be a great help for readers who want to understand what the Bible means, how it applies, and what they should do in response.” -- Stuart Briscoe, Pastor, Elmbrook Church

“This series promises to become an indispensable tool for every pastor and teacher who seeks to make the Bible’s timeless message speak to this generation.” -- Billy Graham

“This is the pulpit commentary for the 21st Century” -- George K. Brushaber, President, Bethel College & Seminary

From the Publisher

Esther's story is without doubt both an inspiration and one of the great teaching resources of the church. But what is the key to unlocking the great lessons of Esther? It is this: Read correctly, the lead character of the book of Esther is not even Esther. The lead character is God. The story of Esther is perfect inspiration for us when we find ourselves in situations we never sought, never planned for, and don't think we have the gifts to succeed in handling. It tells us what to do--trust these situations to the Lord and move on.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0310206723
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zondervan Academic; 3rd Printing edition (June 1, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780310206729
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0310206729
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.42 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.45 x 0.85 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 176 ratings

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Karen H. Jobes

Karen H. Jobes

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
176 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

William Shoemaker
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Commentary
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2024
Verified Purchase
Very helpful in understanding Esther and helping apply it today. Karen Jobes does an excellent job guiding the reader through Esther, its place in redemptive history and the modern day issues with which it connects.
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Todd Pruitt
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Read!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
My wife and I have read many commentaries from many authors covering many books of the Bible. We found this one to be absolutely superb. The language she uses is easy to follow. This particular commentary was a joy to work through. Its thought and insights were well laid out. As with any commentary you probably will not agree with ALL its points but with this one the majority was hard to argue against. We were excited to pick up this book every morning to discover new insights from the author that we could actually understand and follow with passion. She does not use super big theological wording in trying to prove how educated she is. For us this book a was a great relief to read. We highly recommend it as a lay read to any lay person. However as I have a background in theological education I say it can compete with even those who seek deep theology. Just without the big words!!! Thanks Karen Jobes for what we feel as a well written book.
5 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2023
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Repetative... but informative and food for thoughtfulness
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Kaitlin Applegate
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Every Penny!
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024
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The Introduction alone, is worth the price of the book. A MUST have for every pastor's library and a GREAT to have for every follower of Jesus.
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J Simmons
4.0 out of 5 stars Commentary on Esther
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2014
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I appreciated the insight into the story of Esther, however I was not impressed with all the comments from feminists. This story (in my opinion) does not have to do with feminism, as that was not an issue in Biblical times, but with the unseen yet very present movements of God in a godless culture. But, the author's insight into historical facts was very good.
4 people found this helpful
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Darcella Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars Esther and Mordecai
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2023
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Greatly written, giving understanding in a perspective of God’s eternal plan. Esther and Mordecai reveals Gods chosen people.
Highly recommend
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Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars Most Complete Commentary on Esther
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2017
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Dr. Jobes mediates the best of biblical scholarship using easy to understand language. I own most of the modern evangelical commentaries and most of the modern commentaries on the Hamesh Megillot. This is volume provides a wonderful middle ground. While Dr. Jobes does not often mention the Megillot, she frequently provides a footnote to indicate her place within the greater textual dialog. If you are looking for a textual commentary on the original languages, this is not the best option available. Adele Berlin's commentary in the JPS series is better suited for a critical look at the Hebrew text. Dr. Jobes' volume is best for those seeking a biblical-theological commentary on the book of Esther. This is my favorite commentary on any book of Holy Scripture.
5 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent commentary on Esther
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2021
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Well worth the time to study. Both deeply informative and engaging. Used as a basis for a church study group of senior citizens. They were intrigued and challenged by the study.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Aaron Korvemaker
5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful and accessible commentary
Reviewed in Canada on June 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
This has been my go to commentary on the book of Esther. Jobes mixes strong scholarship with a writing style that is engaging and accessible. She also comes with a solid, evangelical understanding of Scripture as a whole and the book of Esther in particular.

Like each commentary in this set, Jobes's volume is laid out well in three sections per chapter. The first section provides an interpretation of the passage. Using historical background, literary analysis, and some linguistic insights, Jobes clearly interprets the text in its original context. In the second section, she picks up on and unpacks some major themes in the Biblical chapter under consideration. This paves the way for the third section, in which the author provides modern application coming from the text.

All of this makes this a helpful commentary for a number of purposes. As a pastor, this commentary helps me understand the book much better, but also gives me a starting point for thinking about application. Given its accessibility, this commentary is an asset for any Bible study leader regardless of any theological training, or for anyone who wants to better understand the book of Esther.

As far as commentaries go, this one is very affordable. It is certainly a must for anyone wanting to learn about this fascinating Old Testament book.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent commentary
Reviewed in Japan on March 16, 2019
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Excellent, excellent, excellent! This is the best commentary on Esther that I have read. Well-researched and readable. Highly recommend.
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Rev. J. A. Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2011
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The Book of Esther is one that I know little about. Feeling that I should refer to it from time to time in sermons, I purchased this commentary and thought I would "dip" into it from time to time. Instead I began to read it properly and felt it was providing a really good read! The story of Esther is fascinating anyway but the author has made it seem so relevant to today's world. As a result, I am preparing a series of sermons all about Esther.
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Grant Stephen Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars Easily in my top 5 commentaries ever!
Reviewed in Canada on June 8, 2022
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I've been a pastor for 16 years and I read a lot of commentaries. This commentary by Karen Jobes is easily in the top 5 best commentaries I have ever read not just on Esther but out of all those written for other books of the Bible too! Usually the introduction sections to commentaries are a bit of a slog. But Jobes' introduction to Esther was so captivating I couldn't put the book down until I finished it! I also found her "Bridging Context" and "Contemporary Significance" sections (which are often weak in other commentaries in the NIV Application series) to be wonderfully helpful. And she does it all in a writing style that is accessible. I would have no worries about handing this book to anyone in my congregation who has questions about the book of Esther, no matter their level of education.

Of course I have benefited from reading other commentaries on Esther which have drawn my attention to helpful things that Jobes does not touch on. But, I would just strongly recommend, no matter how many commentaries you plan on reading on the book of Esther, make this one one of them. You won't regret it!
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Warren H Charlton
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on September 22, 2017
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Using it in sermon preparation and it is VERY helpful as well as edifying to me own life.
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