Bible Quiz on the Book of Esther
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Haman cast the “Pur” while planning his action against the Jews. What was the Pur?
A lot used to select the date for the planned destruction
A public feast held to announce a new law
A royal seal used to authorize an execution
A golden scepter presented to the king’s chief official
2. Why is a second royal decree issued instead of simply canceling Haman’s decree?
The first decree had already expired in most provinces before Esther spoke.
The king wanted both decrees enforced on different days in different provinces.
Only Haman’s heirs had the legal authority to withdraw an order he had written.
A decree written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring could not be revoked, so the Jews were authorized to defend themselves.
3. What reversal occurs involving the structure Haman prepared for Mordecai?
The king orders Haman’s sons to destroy it publicly.
It is dismantled and used to build Mordecai a house.
Haman himself is executed on it.
Mordecai converts it into a platform for reading the new decree.
4. At the first banquet she holds for the king and Haman, what does Esther request?
She asks the king to revoke the decree before revealing her identity.
She asks for Haman’s immediate removal from the palace.
She asks the king and Haman to attend another banquet the following day.
She asks permission for Mordecai to address the royal council.
5. Which set of practices is associated with Purim in the Book of Esther?
Feasting, gladness, exchanging portions of food, and giving gifts to the poor
Offering sacrifices, sounding trumpets, and canceling all debts
Fasting for forty days, wearing sackcloth, and making a pilgrimage
Lighting palace lamps, reading the royal records, and crowning a festival leader
6. Which description matches the kingdom introduced at the beginning of Esther?
King Cyrus governed only the territories of Judah and Samaria.
King Darius ruled the twelve tribes from a palace in Jerusalem.
King Ahasuerus ruled 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia.
King Nebuchadnezzar divided Egypt and Babylon into seventy districts.
7. Mordecai overhears Bigthan and Teresh plotting against the king. What happens next?
He remains silent until the plotters confess during Esther’s banquet.
He confronts the two officials and is immediately appointed commander.
He sends an unsigned warning to Haman, who takes credit for discovering it.
He tells Esther, who reports the plot to the king in Mordecai’s name.
8. Which summary best reflects the book’s final reversal of circumstances?
The threatened Jews gain relief, Mordecai rises to prominence, and Purim commemorates the reversal.
Haman is pardoned, but Mordecai replaces him as governor of Judah.
The original conflict ends when the king withdraws from government and divides the empire.
The Jews leave Persia immediately, while Esther gives the throne back to Vashti.
9. What specifically caused Haman to become furious with Mordecai?
Mordecai refused to surrender his position at the king’s gate.
Mordecai would not kneel or pay homage to him.
Mordecai publicly accused him of plotting against the king.
Mordecai prevented his sons from receiving palace appointments.
10. During the king’s sleepless night, what discovery in the royal records changes the direction of the story?
Esther had entered the palace under a name not recorded by the officials.
Vashti had warned the palace about Haman before losing her position.
Haman had cast lots without first receiving the king’s permission.
Mordecai had exposed a plot against the king but had received no honor.
11. Thinking that the king intends to honor him, what public reward does Haman recommend?
A governorship, a private estate, and exemption from royal taxes
The king’s signet ring and authority to write a new national decree
A permanent seat beside the king at every royal banquet
Royal clothing, the king’s horse, and a public proclamation through the city
12. What was Esther’s family relationship to Mordecai before he raised her as his own daughter?
She was his younger sister.
She was his cousin, the daughter of his uncle.
She was his widowed niece by marriage.
She was an unrelated orphan from his neighborhood.
13. According to Memucan, what wider problem could Queen Vashti’s refusal create?
It could encourage neighboring kingdoms to end their alliances with Persia.
It could prevent the king from appointing a lawful heir to the throne.
It could lead women throughout the kingdom to treat their husbands with contempt.
It could make the royal banquet ceremonially unacceptable to the guests.
14. Esther wants to approach the king without being summoned. What danger does she explain to Mordecai?
She could be put to death unless the king extended the golden scepter.
She could lose her crown unless the chief officials approved her request.
She could be imprisoned for thirty days before receiving an audience.
She could be permanently exiled from the capital for interrupting court.
15. Why did Esther initially keep her Jewish identity hidden at the palace?
She planned to reveal it only after becoming the mother of an heir.
Mordecai had instructed her not to reveal her people or family background.
Hegai warned that speaking Hebrew would disqualify her from consideration.
Persian law required every candidate to adopt a new nationality.
16. At the second banquet, whom does Esther identify as the adversary threatening her people?
Memucan
Haman
Mordecai
Hegai