Meaning of Esther in the Bible
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido, Engineer
- Last updated:
- Category:
- Biblical Names
Meaning
“Star”
Esther is one of the most dramatic figures in the Hebrew Bible — a Jewish orphan girl who rose to become Queen of Persia and, at the risk of her own life, delivered her people from annihilation. Her Hebrew name was Hadassah ('myrtle'), but she was known by the Persian name Esther, likely derived from the Persian for 'star' or possibly related to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, though her story makes clear she worshipped the God of Israel. Raised by her older cousin Mordecai after the death of her parents, Esther was brought into the palace of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) and chosen as queen. When the royal official Haman plotted to exterminate all Jews in the Persian Empire, Mordecai urged Esther to intervene with his famous words: 'Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?' (Esther 4:14). Esther called a three-day fast among her people, then approached the king uninvited — an act punishable by death — and through extraordinary courage and wisdom outmaneuvered Haman and secured her people's deliverance. Her story gave rise to the Jewish festival of Purim.
Scripture References for Esther
3 key passages featuring this name
Esther 2:7
“And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.”
Esther 4:14
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:16
“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”
Devotional Note
Esther's story calls every believer to consider whether God has placed them in their present position 'for such a time as this.' She did not choose her circumstances — exile, orphanhood, a pagan court — yet within those very circumstances she found the purpose God had prepared for her. Before she acted, she prayed and fasted, refusing to move on human cunning alone. Her courage was not the absence of fear but the decision to act faithfully in spite of it. When you face a moment that seems too large for you, Esther's example invites you to fast, pray, and then step forward — trusting that God's purposes do not fail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Esther mean in Hebrew and Persian?
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Related Biblical Names
The Name Esther in God’s Word
Names in Scripture carry deep significance. Esther — meaning “Star” — reflects a truth about identity, purpose, and God’s design. Meditate on these passages to understand what this name reveals about God’s character and His people.