Character and Ideology in the Book of Esther

Widely praised as a seminal contribution to the study of the Old Testament when it first appeared, Michael V. Fox's Character and Ideology in the Book of Esther is now available in a second edition, complete with an up-to-date critical review of recent Esther scholarship. Fox's commentary, based on his own translation of the Hebrew text, captures the meaning and artistry of Esther's inspiring story. After laying out the background information essential for properly reading Esther, Fox offers commentary on the text that clearly unpacks its message and relevance. Fox also looks in depth at each character in the story of Esther, showing how they were carefully shaped by the book's author to teach readers a new view of how to live as Jews in foreign lands.PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION:A first-rate study of the Book of Esther.-- Roland Murphy in Catholic Biblical QuarterlyThis is an excellent contribution not only to the study of Esther but to the literary study of the Hebrew Bible as well.-- John J. Collins in The Journal of ReligionThe strengths of Fox's scholarship are readily apparent throughout this work. Fox's engagement with the text and the history of scholarship prevents the work from becoming 'popular' in the banal sense. The translation of Esther is superb, combining Hebrew philological expertise with English literary sensitivity. Balanced insight fills the pages.-- John W. Wright in Journal of Biblical LiteratureMichael V. Fox is the Halls-Bascom Professor of Hebrew Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also the author of A Time to Tear Down and a Time to Build Up: A Rereading of Ecclesiastes.