Commentaries on Esther
A list of the best commentaries on Esther ranked by scholars, journal reviws, and site users. You can find the best commentary on Esther for you using the tools on the right side.
Top 3
Ruth, Esther. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1996.
The Gospel Coalition
Bush’s volume on Ruth is extensive in its scope and detailed in its analysis. more
Crux Sola (Nijay Gupta's Blog)
In this commentary series, each chapter starts with a bibliography, author’s translation of the text, critical notes followed by form/structure/setting, comments of the verses, and ends with explanations. more
Tim Challies
This commentary is significantly more technical than the others in the list, and a little more philosophical. more
Ligonier Ministries (Keith A. Mathison)
For those seeking a more extensive commentary on the book of Esther, Frederic Bush's work in the WBC series is a good place to start. more
Esther. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1999.
The Gospel Coalition
Longman names Jobes’s commentary as “the best commentary to buy on Esther. more
Crux Sola (Nijay Gupta's Blog)
This commentary series aims to bridge the ancient context with that of the contemporary one. more
PastorTimothy72
I have become a collector of commentaries ever since my seminary days in the 1990s. more
Esther. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1984.
Filip Sylwestrowicz
Joyce Baldwin's small volume on Esther frequently makes it to the lists of top commentaries on Esther. more
Tim Challies
Baldwin’s contribution to the TOTC is considered one of the better volumes in the series. more
Derek W. H. Thomas
A short commentary; pays close attention to literary and historical aspects. more
Ligonier Ministries (Keith A. Mathison)
Joyce Baldwin was among the most consistent commentators of the previous generation. more
New and Notable
The Message of Esther (Rev. ed.). BST. IVP Academic, 2022.
The Gospel Coalition
Longer than his free commentary from TGC, Firth here expounds the book of Esther as a model for dealing with a world where Christians are frequently a minority voice. more
Ruth, Esther. SGBC. Zondervan, 2020.
The Gospel Coalition
Taylor’s commentary is a particularly good example of how to integrate careful attention to the biblical text with application that is helpful for contemporary Christians. more
All Commentaries on Esther
Forthcoming Commentaries
| Year | Author | Title | Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| forthcoming 2031 | Melton, Brittany N. | The Book of Esther | New International Commentary on the Old Testament |
| forthcoming 2026 | Melton, Brittany N. | Esther | Bible in God's World Commentary |
| forthcoming 2026 | Ellis, Karen | Esther | Hodder Bible Commentary |
| forthcoming | Boyd-Taylor, Cameron | Esther | SBL Commentary on the Septuagint |
| forthcoming | Dallaire, Hélène | Esther | Apollos Old Testament Commentary |
| forthcoming | De Troyer, Kristen | Esther | Hermeneia |
| forthcoming | Hogg, David | Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job | Reformation Commentary on Scripture |
| forthcoming | Korpel, Marjo C. A. | Esther | Historical Commentary on the Old Testament |
| forthcoming | Middlemas, Jill A. | Esther | Wisdom Commentary Series |
| forthcoming | Riggs, Marcia | Ruth and Esther | Belief: Theological Commentary on the Bible |
| forthcoming | Riggs, Marcia | Esther | Belief: Theological Commentary on the Bible |
| forthcoming | Rogland, Max | Esther | Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament |
| forthcoming | Ross, Jillian L. | Esther | Baker Commentary on the Old Testament |
| forthcoming | Schifferdecker, Kathryn M. | Esther | Illuminations Commentary Series |
| forthcoming | Smith, Tyler | Esther: A Handbook on the Greek Text | Baylor Handbook on the Septuagint |