Is the Rest of Esther in the King James Bible?
Yes — it was included in the Apocrypha of the original 1611 KJV under the title 'The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther.' Most modern KJV editions omit the Apocrypha.
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The Rest of Esther — Free PDF Study Guide
A clear, scholarly introduction to the Rest of Esther — the six long passages found in the Greek Esther but not in the Hebrew. They supply Mordecai's apocalyptic dream, the full text of Haman's genocidal decree, the anguished prayers of Mordecai and Esther, the scene of Esther fainting before the king, and the counter-decree of Artaxerxes. Above all they name God, who is never mentioned in the Hebrew book.
An original Bible Sundays study companion. The full 1611 KJV text of the Rest of Esther is included in our free KJV Apocrypha PDF, which contains all fourteen Apocryphal books bound in the original King James Bible.
What you get
All six additions (A–F) explained in order
Esther's prayer and Mordecai's prayer — the theology the Hebrew leaves silent
The two royal decrees quoted in full
Why Jerome moved these passages to the end and how the chapter numbers got strange
Five passages every reader should know
Free to share — no email or sign-up required
What is the Rest of Esther?
The Rest of Esther is the name the 1611 King James translators gave to the six passages (commonly labelled Additions A through F) that appear in the Greek Esther of the Septuagint but not in the Hebrew text. Addition A gives Mordecai a symbolic dream of two dragons and a rescuing spring, plus his discovery of the eunuchs' plot. Addition B quotes the decree Haman drafted for the destruction of the Jews. Addition C contains the prayers of Mordecai and of Esther, in which she confesses that she hates the crown she wears. Addition D expands Esther's approach to the king, with the king's face changing and Esther fainting. Addition E quotes the counter-decree. Addition F interprets Mordecai's dream and adds a colophon dating the Greek translation.
Why the chapter numbers look so odd
In the Greek Bible these passages sit in their natural narrative places. When Jerome produced the Vulgate he translated the Hebrew Esther first and then gathered the extra Greek material at the end of the book, numbering it as chapters 10:4 through 16:24. The 1611 KJV followed that arrangement, which is why the Rest of Esther opens mid-sentence and its chapter numbers run out of sequence. Modern Catholic Bibles restore the additions to their original positions, so the same material appears there with letters rather than these numbers.
Why this book matters for Bible readers today
The Hebrew Esther is famous for never mentioning God — providence works entirely behind the curtain of politics and timing. The Greek additions do the opposite: they open the curtain and let Mordecai and Esther pray aloud. Reading the two side by side is one of the best exercises in biblical theology available, because it shows how an ancient Jewish community read the silence of the Hebrew text and what they thought it implied. Whether or not the additions are inspired, they preserve how second-century-BC Jews understood the deliverance behind Purim.
Frequently asked questions
What are the additions to Esther?
Six passages found only in the Greek Esther: Mordecai's dream and the plot he uncovers, Haman's decree, the prayers of Mordecai and Esther, Esther's audience with the king, the counter-decree of Artaxerxes, and the interpretation of the dream with a translator's colophon.
Why does the Rest of Esther start in the middle of a sentence?
Because Jerome moved the Greek-only passages out of their narrative positions and collected them after the Hebrew text of Esther. The 1611 KJV kept that arrangement, so the section begins where Addition F was cut away from chapter 10.
Does God get mentioned in the Book of Esther?
Not once in the Hebrew text, which is one of its most striking features. The Greek additions mention God repeatedly, especially in the prayers of Mordecai and Esther in Addition C.
Are the additions to Esther in the Catholic Bible?
Yes. Catholic and Orthodox Bibles treat the Greek Esther as canonical and print the additions within the narrative rather than as a separate appendix.
When were the additions to Esther written?
Most scholars date them to the second or first century BC. The colophon at the end of Addition F dates the Greek translation to the reign of a Ptolemy and Cleopatra, pointing to Egypt around 114 BC or slightly earlier.
Where can I read the full text of the Rest of Esther?
The complete 1611 KJV text is included in our free KJV Apocrypha PDF, which contains all fourteen Apocryphal books bound in the original King James Bible.
Can I share this study guide?
Yes. This Bible Sundays study guide is free to share for any personal, ministry, or educational purpose.
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Biblical names and their meanings
Every name below appears in the King James Bible. Each page gives the meaning, the verse it appears in, and who carried it in Scripture.
- EliAscended or my God
- EliasThe LORD is my God
- EliasThe Lord is my God
- EliasMy God is the LORD (Greek form of Elijah)
- ElijahMy God is the LORD
- ElizabethGod is my oath
- EmmanuelGod is with us
- ImmanuelGod is with us
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