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This work is linked to Esther 7:9

(에 7:9)

왕을 모신 내시 중에 하르보나가 왕에게 아뢰되 왕을 위하여 충성된 말로 고발한 모르드개를 달고자 하여 하만이 높이가 오십 규빗 되는 나무를 준비하였는데 이제 그 나무가 하만의 집에 섰나이다 왕이 이르되 하만을 그 나무에 달라 하매

에5:14

Esther begs Ahasuerus to revoke the decree against the Jews. It works; Esther gets the king to grant the Jews permission to kill all their enemies, completely turning the tables on them.

In the background Haman, the source of all evil, hanged, on the pole intended for Mordecai.

Azor masters ca. 1430

Death of the Eunuchs

illumination (64 × 88 mm) — 15th century

This work is linked to Additions to Esther 12:3

3 Then the king examined the two eunuchs, and after that they had confessed it, they were strangled.

The eunuchs (chamberlains) who planned the assassination of the king are hanged. The king had been warned by Mordecai (Mardocheus).

Azor masters ca. 1430

Esther before Ahasuerus

illumination (64 × 99 mm) — 15th century

This work is linked to Esther 5:2

(에 5:2)

왕후 에스더가 뜰에 선 것을 본즉 매우 사랑스러우므로 손에 잡았던 금 규를 그에게 내미니 에스더가 가까이 가서 금 규 끝을 만진지라

Ahasuerus's forecourt cannot be entered without permission on penalty of death. Esther risks her life willingly to visit the king when she learns from her uncle Mordecai that the king had decided to kill all the Jews.

The king allows Esther to enter, upon which she invites the king and his vizier (advisor) Haman for a meal at her home.

In the illumination the king points his scepter at Esther to indicate that she may speak.

Azor masters ca. 1430

Haman and Ahasuerus visit Esther

illumination (63 × 88 mm) — 15th century

This work is linked to Esther 5:6

(에 5:6)

잔치의 술을 마실 때에 왕이 에스더에게 이르되 그대의 소청이 무엇이뇨 곧 허락하겠노라 그대의 요구가 무엇이뇨 나라의 절반이라 할지라도 시행하겠노라 하니

During the meal, Ahasuerus asks Esther what he can do for her – charmed as he is, he offers her half his kingdom. All Esther asks is for the king and Haman to return to her table the next day. During this meal, the king grants her a request. She asks him to spare her people and points out Haman as one who incites hatred. Esther also tells the king that she is Jewish.

Azor masters ca. 1430

Haman Convinces Ahasuerus

illumination (62 × 90 mm) — 15th century

This work is linked to Esther 3:9

(에 3:9)

왕이 옳게 여기시거든 조서를 내려 그들을 진멸하소서 내가 은 일만 달란트를 왕의 일을 맡은 자의 손에 맡겨 왕의 금고에 드리리이다 하니

Haman (kneeling) convinces King Ahasuerus (Artaxerxes) that all disobedient people in his kingdom should be killed. Haman does not tell the king that he wants this just to be rid of his rival Mordecai.

By giving his ring to Haman, Ahasuerus acknowledges his consent.

Azor masters ca. 1430

Mordecai is led through the city by Haman

illumination (60 × 88 mm) — 15th century

This work is linked to Esther 6:11

(에 6:11)

하만이 왕복과 말을 가져다가 모르드개에게 옷을 입히고 말을 태워 성 중 거리로 다니며 그 앞에서 반포하되 왕이 존귀하게 하시기를 원하시는 사람에게는 이같이 할 것이라 하니라

Also known as Mordecai's Triumph, it describes the story in which an insomniac King Ahasuerus is reading the chronicles only to discover that Mordecai once saved his life and went unrewarded for his good deed. The king then asks Haman, Mordecai's rival, how he would honor a man. Haman, thinking the king has himself in mind, sums up numerous wonderful ways, upon which the king orders him to honor Mordecai by leading him through the city, seated on the king's horse and dressed in the king's gown – precisely the honor that the sly Haman had wished upon himself.

Azor masters ca. 1430Queen Vashti Refuses to Appear before Ahasuerus

illumination (62 × 87 mm) — 15th century

Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham (UK)

This work is linked to Esther 1:12

(에 1:12)

그러나 왕후 와스디는 내시가 전하는 왕명을 따르기를 싫어하니 왕이 진노하여 마음속이 불 붙는 듯하더라

The beautiful queen Vashti declines the invitation for her husband King Ahasuerus' long drinking-bout. [..] therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. Ahasuerus then repudiates his wife. His eye goes out to Esther.

Arent de Gelder 1645 – 1727\

Ahasuerus and Haman

oil on canvas (138 × 117 cm) — c. 1682

Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest

This work is linked to Esther 3:9

(에 3:9)

왕이 옳게 여기시거든 조서를 내려 그들을 진멸하소서 내가 은 일만 달란트를 왕의 일을 맡은 자의 손에 맡겨 왕의 금고에 드리리이다 하니

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Haman talks to the Persian king Ahasuerus. He tries to get permission to extinguish a people withing the empire that he calls treacherous. The concentrated king listens, with his scepter in his hand. Eventually Haman convinces the king, so that he could set out to kill all Jews in Persia.

Most depictions of the scene show how Ahasuerus gives his ring to Haman as a sign of approval. That is why the subject of this De Gelder painting is not 100% certain.

Ahasuerus shows much resemblance to De Gelder's King David. Some art historians think that this painting may actually be David and a priest or prophet, because of the high hat that was typical for clerics.

Arent de Gelder 1645 – 1727

Esther and Mordecai

oil on canvas (93 × 148 cm) — 1685

Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden

This work is linked to Esther 4:13

(에 4:13)

모르드개가 그를 시켜 에스더에게 회답하되 너는 왕궁에 있으니 모든 유다인 중에 홀로 목숨을 건지리라 생각하지 말라

Wise old Mordecai shows his cousin Esther the decree that the king's minister Haman intends to use to kill all the Jews in Persia. Esther is married to the king, so Mordecai tries to persuade her to use her influence to make the king change his mind.

Esther knows of the rule that forbids anyone to approach the king without invitation - the penalty for breaking the rule is death. She hasn't been invited to the king for 30 days, so she hesitates to do what Mordecai asks her.

Many features of this painting show that De Gelder was a student of Rembrandt's. The use of dark and light, the colours, and the rich detail in Esther's dress, to name the most important ones.

Arent de Gelder 1645 – 1727

Esther and Mordecai writing the first letter of Purim

oil on canvas (102 × 152 cm) — c. 1685

RISD Museum of Art, Providence RI

This work is linked to Esther 9:20

(에 9:20)

○모르드개가 이 일을 기록하고 아하수에로 왕의 각 지방에 있는 모든 유다인에게 원근을 막론하고 글을 보내어 이르기를

The Jewish inhabitants of the Persian king Ahasuerus' empire have killed their enemies, the followers of the evil Hamand. Mordecai and queen Esther think the event should be commemorated every year. In the first letter of Purim calls to do so: from then on, the 14th and 15th day of the month Adar are holidays.

Arent de Gelder also depicted the writing of the second letter of Purim.

Arent de Gelder 1645 – 1727

Esther and Mordecai Writing the Second Letter of Purim

oil on canvas (59 × 143 cm) — ca. 1685

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

This work is linked to Esther 9:29

(에 9:29)

아비하일의 딸 왕후 에스더와 유다인 모르드개가 전권으로 글을 쓰고 부림에 대한 이 둘째 편지를 굳게 지키게 하되

After the evil Haman's plans for the extermination of all Jews in Persia is frustrated by Esther and Mordecai, King Ahasuerus grants the Jews permission to wreak vengeance. In grand old Testament style, the Jews slaughter tens of thousands of perceived enemies and then whoop it up.

After Haman is hanged, Mordecai replaces him as the king's most important servant. Esther is the king's wife - both Esther and Mordecai are Jews. Together they write a letter to the Jews in all 127 provinces of Persia, reminding them to annually commemorate this victory on the 14th and 15th day of the month of Adar. That letter became known as the first letter of Purim. The second was sent not much later, confirming the first.

The name of this feast, Purim, is from the Persian word for lot: pur and refers to how Haman cast lot to decide on the date of execution, as can be read in Esther 3.

Artemisia Gentileschi 1593 – 1656

Esther before Ahasuerus

oil on canvas (208 × 274 cm) — c. 1630

Artemisia Gentileschi biography

This work is linked to Additions to Esther 15:7

7 Then lifting up his countenance that shone with majesty, he looked very fiercely upon her: and the queen fell down, and was pale, and fainted, and bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before her.

The Persian king Ahasuerus intended to exterminate all Jews in his land. Esther wants to ask the king to spare the Jews. But it was forbidden to approach the king without being asked, so Esther was very frightened. When she stands before the angry king, she swoons.

The king then becomes mild and tries to put her at ease by saying that the decree only applied to ordinary people.

Pieter Lastman ca. 1583 – 1633

Mordecai's Triumph

oil on panel (52 × 72 cm) — 1617

Rembrandthuis, Amsterdam

Pieter Lastman biography

This work is linked to Esther 6:11

(에 6:11)

Haman leads his enemy through town. Mordecai was honoured because he had prevented the murder of the king.

Lastman must have had a good look at the etching by Lucas van Leyden on the same subject.

The building in the background is quite remarkable. It represents the temple in Jerusalem. But the story happened during the Babylonian exile, at the court of the Persian king, not in Jerusalem. The temple in Jerusalem had just been destroyed.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Haman and Ahasuerus visit Esther

oil on canvas (73 × 94 cm) — 1660 Pushkin Museum, Moscow

Hermitage, St. Petersburg

This work is linked to Esther 7:2

(에 7:2)

왕이 이 둘째 날 잔치에 술을 마실 때에 다시 에스더에게 물어 이르되 왕후 에스더여 그대의 소청이 무엇이냐 곧 허락하겠노라 그대의 요구가 무엇이냐 곧 나라의 절반이라 할지라도 시행하겠노라

Esther is seen disclosing Haman's evil plans to her husband, King Ahasuerus (Artaxerxes). Haman, sitting on the left, is staring at the table. The king looks as if he finally realizes what has been going on. Esther looks embarrassed for causing problems for one of her guests.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Haman Prepares to Honour Mordecai

oil on canvas (127 × 116 cm) — ca. 1665

This work is linked to Esther 6:8

(에 6:8)

왕께서 입으시는 왕복과 왕께서 타시는 말과 머리에 쓰시는 왕관을 가져다가

왕상1:33

Also known as Haman recognizes his fate. Haman is the vizier, the most important adviser, of the Persian king Ahasuerus. The king has ordered him to organize a parade to honour the Jew Mordecai. Mordecai had reported a murder plot to the king.

Rembrandt shows the reluctance Haman feels regarding this assignment. He had expected that he himself would be honoured. Moreover, he holds a grudge against Mordecai as Mordecai is the only one who refuses to bow in front of him.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Esther Is Introduced to Ahasuerus

drawing with pen and brush (18 × 25 cm) — ca. 1655

Musée du Louvre, Paris

Lucas van Leyden biography

This work is linked to Esther 2:15

(에 2:15)

모르드개의 삼촌 아비하일의 딸 곧 모르드개가 자기의 딸 같이 양육하는 에스더가 차례대로 왕에게 나아갈 때에 궁녀를 주관하는 내시 헤개가 정한 것 외에는 다른 것을 구하지 아니하였으나 모든 보는 자에게 사랑을 받더라

The Persian king Ahasuerus had banished his previous wife and was now looking for a new queen. He ordered that all beautiful young virgins in his land be gathered in his house, so that he could make his choice.

Esther was one of the virgins. She was living with her old cousin Mordecai. He advised Esther not to mention her Jewish origins, as that might cause problems.

After a year of beauty treatments Esther was introduced to the king. Ahasuerus was impressed by her appearance and choose her to be his new wife.

Lucas van Leyden 1494 – 1533

Mordecai's Triumph

etching (21 × 29 cm) — 1515

This work is linked to Esther 6:11

(에 6:11)

The Persian king Ahasuerus asked his top adviser Haman how to honour a man that had done him well. Haman thought that the king was referring to him, but it turned out that the man to receive the greatest honour was Mordecai - a Jew and Haman's main rival.

Earlier, Mordecai had overheard plans to assassinate the king. He informed the authorities and the would-be murderers were hanged.

Haman must have been shocked when he was ordered to lead Mordecai through the city on the king's best horse.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Esther with the Decree of Destruction

etching — 1637 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam