Two Literary Techniques in the Tanach

A B C A B C

A A B C C B A

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A. Introduction – the royal power of Achashverosh (1:1)

B. Two Persian feasts: one for the provincial ministers (180 days), and a special second one for the residents of Shushan (7 days) (Ch. 1)

C. Esther comes before the king and is chosen as queen (Ch. 2)

D. Describing the greatness of Haman: “King Achashverosh advanced Haman ben Hammedata the Agagite and he elevated him” (3:1-2).

E. Casting the lots: war on the 13^th of Adar (3:3-7).

F. Giving the ring to Haman; Haman’s letters; Mordekhai tears his garments; Esther and the Jews fast (3:8-4:17).

G. Esther’s first feast: Haman comes out “happy and of good cheer” (5:1-8).

H. Haman consults his kinsmen: optimism (5:9-14).

1. The king’s insomnia and the journey on the royal horse (Ch. 6).

H1. Haman consults his kinsmen: pessimism (6:12-14).

G1. Esther’s second feast: Haman is hanged (Ch. 7).

F1. Giving the ring to Mordekhai; Mordekhai’s letters; Mordekhai is clothed in royal garments; the Jews

feast (Ch. 8).

E1. The war on the 13^th of Adar (9:1-2).

D1. Describing the greatness of Mordekhai and the Jews, who attack their enemies: “All of the ministers of the provinces… were elevating the Jews… for the man Mordekhai was advancing in prominence” (9:3-11).

C1. Esther comes to the king and asks for another day of war in Shushan (9:12-16).

B1. Two Jewish feasts: one for the Jews of all the provinces (the 14^th of Adar) and a special second one for Jews of Shushan (the 15^th of Adar) (9:17-32).

A1. Conclusion – the royal power of Achashverosh (Ch. 10).