Scripture Reference—The Book of Esther
Name Meaning—Esther was the Persian name of this descendant of Benjamin and is from “aster” meaning “a star” and implies, like Venus, that of “good fortune.” We refer to “the star of hope” &–;“the star of joy”—“the star of superiority,” and Esther was all these to her people for in “the splendid galaxy of Hebrew women of the olden time, no name stands more prominent or shines with a richer lustre.” Rabbi Jehudah affirms that Esther is “sether,” meaning “to hide,” because she was hidden in her guardian’s home and because her nationality was concealed (Esther 2:7). Mordecai had made the girl promise that she would not reveal her nationality to the king—which she did not until the opportune moment came. Hadassah, signifying “myrtle” was Esther’s original name. The change of name from Hadassah to Esther may indicate the style of beauty for which this once captive, now a Persian queen, was famous for. She is revealed as “a woman of clear judgment, of magnificent self-control and capable of the noblest self-sacrifice.” The lines of Byron can be fittingly applied to Esther—
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes.