14.
There is a question as to the inclusion of Esther in the scriptures. One of the arguments used is that the name of the Lord does not appear anywhere in the book. In the Companion Bible with itís notes written by E. W. Bullinger, he presents five acrostics, four instances where the name of Jehovah, LORD is mentioned and once where the name I AM is to be found. An acrostic is a hidden meaning, (in this instance, a name) written in a poem, puzzle or as in this case, the scripture. Only the first acrostic found in Esther 1:20 is given in this lesson. If you would like the full study it is found on line at:
http://www.giveshar e.org/library/ companionbible/
Go to, appendices/app60. html.
THE FIRST ACROSTIC (1:20)
is formed by the initial letters, for the event was initial; and the name is spelt backward because Jehovah is turning back and overruling the councels of man. The whole clause reads as follows; the words forming the Acrostic being put in italic type:-
“And when the kingís decree which he shall make, shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.” The four words we give, 1st, in the Hebrew type (with the Majuscular letters at the beginning of each word, not copied), 2nd, with the Transliteration; and 3rd, in English paraphrase, reproducing the sentence in the word LORD with the initial letters backward:-
1 2 3 4
Hi' Vekal Hannashim Yitt enu.
H V H Y
1 2 3 4
it and-all the-wives shall-give
"Due Respect Our Ladies
D R O L Prov. 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings to search out a matter.