Who is the author of the Book of Esther?

Historical and Cultural Context

The Book of Esther is set during the Persian Empire under the reign of King Ahasuerus (often identified with Xerxes I, 486–465 BC). This timeframe positions the narrative roughly in the 5th century BC, a period in which many Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem under figures like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, while others remained in Persian territories. The events chiefly unfold in the royal city of Susa (also known as Shushan), placing the story in the heart of Persian administrative life.

Persian records and archaeological excavations in the region of Susa demonstrate the grandeur of the royal court, matching the detailed descriptions of banquets and royal protocols depicted in Esther. Even though not every single detail can be directly confirmed by non-biblical sources (common for documents over two thousand years old), the cultural authenticity is well evidenced by ancient writings and the overall historical context.

Biblical and Traditional Insights

Within the text, one key internal marker is Esther 9:20, which states, “Mordecai recorded these events….” This suggests that Mordecai, a prominent figure in the narrative, played a direct role in documenting the happenings surrounding Purim, the deliverance of the Jewish people, and the establishment of annual remembrance practices. Moreover, rabbinic tradition (including certain Talmudic references) has frequently identified Mordecai as an author or co-author.

However, the completed book as we have it today may show the work of more than one contributor. There are stylistic contrasts between the first half—detailing Esther’s rise to queen—and the latter half—outlining the Jewish people’s deliverance. Some have theorized that an unknown scribe or historically learned Jew supplemented Mordecai’s writings or compiled the final form under divine inspiration. Still, the consensus in many Jewish and Christian traditions remains that Mordecai was a leading figure in its composition.

Authorship Theories

1. Mordecai’s Primary Role: Many hold that because the text specifically mentions Mordecai writing down the events (Esther 9:20), he is the principal author or archivist. This theory also aligns with the strong knowledge of Jewish customs and Persian administration displayed in the book.

2. Possible Collaboration: Others posit that while Mordecai began the work, another inspired author—potentially from Ezra’s circle or among the early returnees—edited or completed it. The polished literary style and attention to official detail might reflect the influence of scribes familiar with Persian records.

3. Later Redactions: Although there is no substantial evidence of late or substantial redaction, some claim that a small group of postexilic Jewish scholars, possibly linked to what is known as the Great Assembly, updated the text. Still, no major textual variations exist in the Hebrew manuscripts to suggest large-scale changes.

Manuscript Evidence

Though Esther is unique among Old Testament books for not being found in the extant Dead Sea Scrolls (as of present-day cataloging), the absence does not undermine its authenticity, since numerous other manuscripts, translations (such as the Septuagint), and subsequent quotations attest to the book’s early reception and established place in the Hebrew Scriptures. Careful examination of ancient Hebrew copies, as well as Greek and Aramaic translations, demonstrates remarkable consistency, reaffirming the stable transmission of its text over centuries.

Historically, Josephus (1st century AD) corroborates knowledge of the account by summarizing Esther’s events in his writings (Antiquities of the Jews, Book XI). The enduring celebration of Purim within the Jewish community provides living evidence of the book’s acceptance and genuine historical roots, as the festival’s observance can be traced back to ancient practice and continues to the present.

Literary Features and Language

Scholars of ancient languages note the Book of Esther’s Hebrew is closer to that of late Biblical Hebrew, which corresponds with the exilic and postexilic periods. The text’s references to Persian customs and loanwords also indicate firsthand familiarity with the Persian court. These internal linguistic clues support an original setting in the Persian Empire rather than a much later creation.

Conclusion

While there is no explicit verse stating “I, Mordecai (or I, another individual), wrote the entirety of this text,” the Book of Esther itself points to Mordecai as the principal recorder of events. Early Jewish tradition frequently attributed much of the authorship to him, possibly with finishing touches by a knowledgeable Jewish writer or compiler from the same era. This perspective aligns with centuries of acceptance within the Hebrew Scriptures and affirms the text’s historical, cultural, and linguistic authenticity.

Ultimately, regardless of whether Mordecai entirely penned every section or whether he collaborated with another author, the preserved Book of Esther stands as a cohesive, reliable part of the biblical canon. Its message of deliverance, continuity of tradition for the Jewish people, and underlying example of providential care have resonated across millennia. As is true throughout Scripture, its extraordinary preservation and consistent manuscript evidence underscore its enduring validity.