The letter X is not easy at all, but lo and behold there is a name in the bible beginning with X! Xerxes! Because of him Israel celebrates Purim every year.
King Xerxes held a 180-day feast in Susa (Shoushan). While in "high spirits" from the wine, he ordered his queen, Vashti, to appear before him and his guests to display her beauty. But she refused to come. Furious at her refusal to obey, the king asked his wise men what should be done. One of them said that all the women in the empire would hear that "The King Xerxes commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not." Then the women of the empire would despise their husbands. And this would cause many problems in the kingdom. Therefore it would be good to depose her.
To find a new queen suitable to King Xerxes, it was decreed that beautiful young virgins be gathered to the palace from every province of his kingdom. For his wife and queen, King Xerxes chose the Jewish girl Esther, an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, to replace the recalcitrant Queen Vashti. Esther was originally named Hadassah, meaning myrtle.
When I went to Israel in March the Purim festivities were going on. Purim is based on the story of Esther king Xerxes or Ahasueros, Haman and Mordecai. It is the happiest festivity of the year. Esther saved her people from the slaughter Haman had planned. King Xerxes was furious and punished Haman and his sons. You can read the whole story in the bible in the book of Esther.
Purim was also celebrated in my country in Jewish communities. There were photos of children in my newspaper ,who were disguised in all kind of fancydresses.
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| Chagai is ten years old. The mask is part of a wizzard outfit. |
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| Esther is 4 years old. Isn't she a lovely bride? |
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| Sweet Binjomin is a lovely fireman of six. |
Next week I will be in Australia. I don't know if I can answer your comments, but I do have
scheduled all my ABC posts. I hope to be back on the 24th July. Have a nice month!
22 comments:
Sometimes we play a game where we have to name a boy's name for every letter of the alphabet - we all want Xerxes!
Esther is my favourite girl's name. If my son had been a girl that is what I would have called him.,
Have a lovely time in Australia.
It all seems rather hard on poor Vashti!
Goodness, wifely rules were really strict in Biblical times. I had forgotten that story, thanks for the reminder.
Have a great time in Australia.
Strict rules indeed! Wonderful and interesting post as always, Wil!! I hope you have a wonderful trip to Australia!!
Sylvia
My favorite OT story! I played Haman in a church play.
Shooting Parrots made me think about Vashti!Thanks for comment on Esther and poor Vashti. Come to think of it: Vashti was actually the main instrument for saving the Jewish people from being slaughtered. Unintentionally but she is the woman whom the Jews should be grateful too. She was brave and the first defender of women’s rights. Esther, however, did what was possible and accepted at that time.
Great post. I have always known him as Ahasueros, and not Xerxes. I love all the things I learn from the fascinating posts of ABC Wednesday!
This is one of my favourite stories from the Bible. I taught it to grade 4 students when I was teaching at a Christian school. Great take on the letter X!!!
Leslie
abcw team
God works in mysterious ways, and Vashti was a heroine too but living in the wrong time space for her rebellion.
I've heard the name, but forgot the story of Esther. How interesting... but I feel sorry for Vashti too. Doesn't sound like she deserved to be divorced for that silly reason.
Thanks for a great 'X' post. I enjoyed the images you posted along with your text.
Lot of interesting history there. Thanks for sharing.
Fascinating!!!
Such a strict rule!
X is for Xeroderma
I haven't read this one yet.
X is for Xenophobia
How cute those photos are!
Xanthopsia
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
I love the book of Esther. Although it may seem that Vashti was out of her time and place, God knew what He was doing when He gave Xerxes a spirited wife like that. Otherwise we would have had a lot more people to feel sorry for if Hamaan had had his way. But God always knows what He is doing even if we don't know.
X is a hard one when wandering through the bible. I did Vashti for V-day last time around.
I studied Esther and remember the name Xer... which I can't pronounce and spell.
Have a great time in Oz, hope it is not too cold for you.
I am in Singapore. That is my sleep deprived brain thinking. It's really hot here in Singapore, and good that I am staying in my sister's place so I don't have to pay for accommodation, and I have 1 month so I don't have to rush. I wake up at 3 am in the morning because it is 8 am in New Zealand.
thanks for sharing all those picture!
i love that Roger played Haman in a church play. that's funny
spaceship tanka
It's a very eXciting story, well worth reminding of.
I was going to use this King also, there are so few X's. I love the story of Esther. Great post.
Ann
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