The Myth of Multiculturalism in MT Esther

Comparing Western and Persian Hegemonic Tolerance

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3359564
AutoresA Fry (0000-0002-9028-9383, University of Copenhagen, autor correspondente)
Ano2025
Volume16
Fascículo6
Páginas746
Data de publicação2025-06-09
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel16060746
OpenAlexW4411187090
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas53

In Esther 3:8-9, the central conflict of the book is introduced through the antagonist, Haman the Agagite, who argues through half-truth that because the Jews are scattered and separated amongst the people and have different laws from every other people, they should not be tolerated and instead should be annihilated. Although there is disagreement about when the book was written, the Persian kingdom is featured narratively as in power; King Ahasuerus is depicted as accepting genocide as an appropriate peacekeeping method. Many discussions on the central conflict focus on Haman, as Persia and its hegemony are depicted in the book as emotional and farcical, leaving many to dismiss its impact. Too often, with emphasis on Persian power at this time as generally benevolent, gracious, and accepting toward Others in biblical texts and scholarship, much is missed involving the insidious nature of how hegemonic powers still code and reify what differences 'we' deem threatening. Comparing, then, the discussions and use of multiculturalism in Western empires in current social scientific studies to rhetoric and practice in the scholarship and book of Esther, this article will address the underlying issues less discussed regarding Haman's polemic, and the cost of "being tolerated" amongst the minoritized, including Haman

Ancient history · Art · Hegemony · Literature · Multiculturalism · Mythology · Persian · Political science · Theology · African history and culture analysis · History · Islamic Studies and History · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Law · Philosophy