Year 9 - Religious education
The Book of Esther
Matriarchs: are the women of the Bible victors or victims?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will take a hermenutical reading of scripture to assess the status of women in the Bible. Through a series of key stories they will analyse how women are portrayed and how these stories have been interpreted and re-interpreted over the centuries.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the importance of the Book of Esther and how she can be seen as both a victim and a victor in her story.
Key Notes
- The Book of Esther was written at a time when many Jews were living in exile as a disapora in the Persian Empire.
- Esther can be seen as both a victim and a victor in her story.
- Esther heard of a plot to kill all Jewish people in Persia and intervened to prevent this happening.
- Considering the intended audience of the Book of Esther can help us better understand the significance of the story.
Vocabulary To Learn
- concubine: a woman who lives with a man, and has relations with him, but has a lower status than his wife or wives
- diaspora: the scattering of communities of Jews outside of ancient Israel after exile
- exile: the removal of people or a person from their homeland
- Persia: an ancient empire where many Jews were living after exile from ancient Israel
- patriarchy: a society or culture where men generally hold positions of power and authority
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That the story of Esther takes place in ancient Israel.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The Book of Esther was written at a time when many Jews were living in exile as a disapora in the Persian Empire. Esther can be seen as both a victim and a victor in her story.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'concubine'
a woman who lives with a man, and has relations with him, but has a lower status than his wife or wives.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: That the story of Esther takes place in ancient Israel. Correction: The story of Esther takes place in Susa, an important city in the Persian Empire.
More Lessons In This Unit
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