Esther Basics
What does the name Esther mean?
A star
Who was the queen before Esther?
Vashti
What position did Mordecai hold?
Hebrew minister at the court of Persia
In what country did the story of Esther take place?
Persia
What word belongs to this degree?
PURE
What was Esther’s original name?
Hadassah
By what other name is Biblical Ahasuerus known?
Xerxes
Who was Haman?
Prime Minister to the King
In what city did the main part of Esther take place?
Susa/Shushan in Persia
What is the flower of this degree?
Lily of the Valley
What does Hadassah mean?
The Myrtle
Why was Vashti banished?
She refused to appear before the king’s drunken court.
Why was Haman angry with Mordecai?
Mordecai would not bow to him
About what year did the story take place?
About 474 B.C.
What does the flower stand for?
Peace and purity
Who raised Esther?
Who raised Esther?
How long was the preparation period before the maidens went before the king?
Twelve months
Who caused the edict for the Jews to be killed?
Haman
In what country was Esther born?
Persia
What attribute does this degree teach us to cultivate?
Courage
What was Mordecai’s relation to Esther?
Cousin
During what year was Esther made queen?
The seventh year of King Ahasuerus’ reign
What happened to Haman?
He was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai
How did the Jews come to be in Persia?
They were descendants of Jews taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C.
What great lesson does this degree teach?
Willingness to sacrifice for a good cause and faithfulness to kindred and friends.