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ArchivesMeaning and origin of ESFIR
in reply to a message by esfira
The name is a russian variation of the name Esther and refers to the wife of King of Persia Agaspher(Ahasuerus, Xerxes), who was taken by her beauty and married her (first divorcing his other wife Vashti, hehehe...).
Esther was jewish and her real name was Hadassah (the myrtle), but when she entered the royal harem she received the name Esther.
It is a Syro-Arabian modification of the Persian word satarah, which means a star.
She delivered jews from persecution by eliminating Xerx's favourite Haman who planned their extermination. (He was actually hung on the gallows intended for Mordichai, her cousin).
Purim is celebrated in memory of this jewish deliverance.
This Book of Old Testament belongs to the period about 500 years B.C. since it is known that Agaspher died in the year 465 B.C.
I hope that helped. =)
Svetlana.
P.S. I am also from Russia - I live in Philadelphia now =)
Esther was jewish and her real name was Hadassah (the myrtle), but when she entered the royal harem she received the name Esther.
It is a Syro-Arabian modification of the Persian word satarah, which means a star.
She delivered jews from persecution by eliminating Xerx's favourite Haman who planned their extermination. (He was actually hung on the gallows intended for Mordichai, her cousin).
Purim is celebrated in memory of this jewish deliverance.
This Book of Old Testament belongs to the period about 500 years B.C. since it is known that Agaspher died in the year 465 B.C.
I hope that helped. =)
Svetlana.
P.S. I am also from Russia - I live in Philadelphia now =)
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