Old Testament · History
Esther Bible Quiz
Test your knowledge of Esther: Esther, Mordecai, Haman and Purim.
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What was the original punishment decreed for Queen Vashti?
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Answer: A. She would never again come before King Ahasuerus
Esther 1:19 records the decree: 'that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.'
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Who was the Persian king that Esther married?
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Answer: D. Ahasuerus
Esther was crowned queen to King Ahasuerus, traditionally identified as Xerxes I (Esther 1:1-2).
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What emotion characterized the Jewish people after receiving the new decree?
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Answer: D. Joy and gladness
Esther 8:16-17 describes: 'The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor. And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness.'
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Who suggested hanging Haman on his own gallows?
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Answer: A. Harbona the eunuch
Esther 7:9 records: 'Now Harbona, one of the eunuchs, said to the king, Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai... Then the king said, Hang him on it!'
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Who was the king of Persia during the events of the book of Esther?
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Answer: B. King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)
King Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus, is the ruler during Esther's story (Esther 1:1).
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What was written in the letters sent throughout the empire about the Jews?
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Answer: C. They could defend themselves
Esther 8:11 explains that the letters granted Jews the right 'to gather together and protect their lives—to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them.'
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What was Esther's Hebrew name?
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Answer: D. Hadassah
Esther 2:7 states that Mordecai 'brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had neither father nor mother.'
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What happened to Haman's ten sons?
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Answer: D. They were hanged
Esther 9:13-14 records that Esther requested 'let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows,' and 'they hanged Haman's ten sons.'
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What was the amount of silver Haman offered to pay for the destruction of the Jews?
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Answer: A. 10,000 talents
Esther 3:9 records Haman's offer: 'If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver.'
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What event led to Esther becoming queen?
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Answer: A. She was selected in a beauty contest in the king's palace
Esther was chosen as queen after the king's officials gathered beautiful young women for his harem (Esther 2:2-4).
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What was the total number of enemies killed throughout the empire?
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Answer: C. 75,000
Esther 9:16 states: 'The remainder of the Jews in the king's provinces gathered together and protected their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies.'
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How did the timing of Mordecai's unrewarded service create the perfect moment for his vindication?
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Answer: C. The delayed recognition coincided with Haman's plot, leading to a dramatic reversal
Mordecai's service was recorded but unrewarded (Esther 2:23), then providentially remembered exactly when Haman was plotting against him (Esther 6:1-3), creating perfect divine timing.
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What did Mordecai and Esther establish regarding Purim celebrations?
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Answer: A. Two days annually with specific observances
Esther 9:21-22 establishes annual celebration of 'the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar' with 'feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.'
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What was the legal problem with revoking Haman's decree?
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Answer: C. Persian law stated that royal decrees could not be revoked
Esther 8:8 explains: 'for whatever is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's signet ring no one can revoke,' necessitating a new decree allowing Jewish self-defense.
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How many people did the Jews kill on the first day in Shushan?
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Answer: D. 500
Esther 9:6 records: 'And in Shushan the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.'
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What was the name of the eunuch who was in charge of the women?
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Answer: D. Hegai
Esther 2:3 mentions 'Hegai the king's eunuch, custodian of the women,' who was in charge of the harem and beauty preparations.
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How does Mordecai's statement in Esther 4:14 demonstrate faith in divine sovereignty?
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Answer: D. He suggests deliverance will come from another place if Esther refuses to act
Esther 4:14 shows Mordecai's faith: 'For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place,' indicating his confidence in God's ultimate protection.
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What theological theme is most prominent in Esther despite God never being explicitly mentioned?
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Answer: D. Divine providence and hidden protection of His people
Though God is never explicitly named in Esther, His providential care is evident throughout - in timing, circumstances, and the preservation of the Jewish people through seemingly coincidental events.
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Answer key
- A. She would never again come before King Ahasuerus
- D. Ahasuerus
- D. Joy and gladness
- A. Harbona the eunuch
- B. King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)
- C. They could defend themselves
- D. Hadassah
- D. They were hanged
- A. 10,000 talents
- A. She was selected in a beauty contest in the king's palace
- C. 75,000
- C. The delayed recognition coincided with Haman's plot, leading to a dramatic reversal
- A. Two days annually with specific observances
- C. Persian law stated that royal decrees could not be revoked
- D. 500
- D. Hegai
- D. He suggests deliverance will come from another place if Esther refuses to act
- D. Divine providence and hidden protection of His people
About the book of Esther
Esther is the 17th book of the Bible and belongs to the History section of the Old Testament. It has 10 chapters. Esther is set in the Persian court, where a young Jewish queen and her cousin Mordecai stop Haman’s plot to destroy their people. It explains the origin of the feast of Purim.
Using this quiz with a group
These questions work well for Sunday school, youth group, small groups and family devotions. Read each question aloud, let everyone answer, then read the explanation together. Use the print button for a worksheet with an answer key at the end.