Additions to Esther
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Additions to Esther refers to six additional passages to the Book of Esther, found in the Greek Septuagint, but absent in the Hebrew Bible. These passages appear in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, but are generally not included in Protestant Bibles.
The six additions are:
- Addition A – Mordecai’s Dream
Mordecai has a dream about two great dragons. The dragons show the danger to the Jewish people. Later, the dream is seen as a sign of events in Esther’s story. It also tells how Mordecai saves the king by reporting a plot against him (Esther 11:1–12:6).
- Addition B – Decree Against the Jews
King Ahasuerus, called King Artaxerxes in the Greek Book of Esther, sends a letter to the whole empire. The letter orders that the Jewish people be killed on one day. It explains Haman’s plan and shows how the attack became law (Esther 13:1–14:19).
- Addition C – Prayers of Mordecai and Esther
Mordecai and Esther pray for divine help. Mordecai asks for protection for the Jewish people. Esther asks for courage before going to the king. These prayers mention the divine, who is not named in the Hebrew Book of Esther (Esther 15:1–16:24).
- Addition D – Esther Before the King
Esther goes before the king without being invited. This could have caused her death. She becomes very weak with fear, but the king is kind to her. This shows divine help in the story (Esther 17:1–18:17).
- Addition E – Decree in Favor of the Jews
The king sends a second letter to the empire. It explains Haman’s evil plan and allows the Jews to defend themselves. The earlier order is canceled (Esther 19:1–20:16).
- Addition F – Interpretation of Mordecai's Dream
Mordecai explains the meaning of his dream from the beginning of the book. He says these events happened to save the Jewish people. The story ends by saying these things were written down so they would be remembered (Esther 21:1–22:24).
The Greek additions include prayers and clearly mention divine providence. These elements are absent in the Hebrew text, where the divine is understood to work behind the scenes through events and the actions of the Jewish people, such as fasting and Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman.
In the Vulgate, the six additions are generally placed at the end of the Book of Esther, after the Hebrew text. In some modern editions, like the New Vulgate, the additions are added into the Hebrew chapters, being marked by numbers followed by letters, for example Esther 1:1a–1r.
In the New Living Translation, Catholic Edition (NLTCE), the additions are also added into the Hebrew chapters, but the chapters are labeled with letters (A to F), for example Esther A:1–17. This shows which parts come from the Greek additions and which parts are from the Hebrew text.
