THE PASSAGE OF TIME IN THE BOOK OF ESTHER
CHART OF TIME REFERENCES
RABBI MICHAEL GRAETZ
©Rabbi Michael Graetz
| VERSE | DATE |
| 1:3 | 3rd year of King Ahasuerus |
| 1:4 | 3rd year 180 day party for ministers of all 127 countries |
| 1:5 | 3rd year +7 day party for all residents of Shushan |
| 1:10 | 3rd year 7th day of party Vashti is thrown out |
| 2:1 | After those incidents [indefinite time] queen contest |
| 2:6 | Jerusalem, exile of Jehoiachin [hint of historical date] |
| 2:12 | Each girl is prepared for 12 months |
| 2:16 | 7th year 10th month [Tevet] Esther is taken to king; she starts reign |
| 2:21 | In those days [indefinite time] Plot against the king, written in kings diary |
| 3:1 | After those incidents [indefinite time] Haman is elevated |
| 3:7 | 1st Month [Nisan] of 12th year Haman rolls the Pur and determines best day to kill all Jews is in 12th Month [Adar] of that same year |
| 3:12-13 | 1st Month [Nisan] 13th day of Month, decree is promulgated to all countries to kill all Jews on one day, the 13th day of the 12th month [Adar], and their wealth is for the taking/13 Nisan – historical hint/v. 15 “dehufim” urgently |
| 4:11 | Esther was not “called” to king for 30 days |
| 4:16 | Esther declares 3 day fast Nisan 13, 14, 15 [historical hints!] |
| 5:1 | On 3rd day [15 Nisan] Esther appears and invites king and Haman to feast [v. 5 “maharu” hurry up Haman] |
| 5:8 | 16 Nisan [evening] Esther invites them to 2nd feast [16 Nisan] |
| 5:14 | 16/17? Nisan [evening] Haman decides to build gallows to hang Mordecai |
| 6:1 | 16/17? Nisan [evening] That night King cannot sleep reads about Mordecai [cf. 2:21] Haman comes to request to kill Mordecai [early before the general order in Adar] He must praise Mordecai before all v. 10 “maher” quickly |
| 6:11 | 16/17? Nisan [morning], Haman parades Mordecai around, is depressed, goes home, and v.14 “vayavhilu” very urgently take him to feast |
| 7:1-10 | 17/18? Nisan [evening] Esther accuses Haman, suggests counter plan, Haman is hanged |
| 8:1 | 17/18? Nisan [morning] Mordecai takes Haman’s place |
| 8:8-9 | Mordecai and Esther write counter order, Jews can kill those who attack them/ 3rd month [Sivan] 23rd day, this order is sent out |
| 8:14 | “mevuhalim” and “dehufim” frantic urgency for this order |
| 9:1/14/17-19 | 12th month, days 13, 14, 15 when Jews fought attackers, and rested and celebrated |
Rabbi Michael Graetz 