The plethora of similarities between the Yosef narratives and the Book of Esther have been noted by many.1 There is much overlap between the general setting of the stories, the events that transpire and the characters of the protagonists. Moreover, these content parallels are buttressed by numerous linguistic similarities, suggesting that the author of Megillat Esther was intentionally calling on the reader to compare the two stories.
Content Parallels
Backdrop
Exile – Both the Yosef saga and the story of Esther take place in exile, the first in Egypt and the second in Persia.
Position of power – Yosef, Esther, and Mordechai all rise to power in the king' palace, putting them in place to aid their brethren.
Children of Rachel– In each narrative, the main protagonists are descendants of Rachel. [Mordechai is from the line of Binyamin.]
Yosef and Esther
Beauty and charm – Both Yosef and Esther are marked by exceptional beauty and charm.
Dual name – Yosef is given the name Tzafnat Paneach while Hadasah is known as Esther.
Hiding of identity– Yosef disguises himself in front of his brothers, while Esther hides her Jewish identity from Achashverosh. Both reveal themselves at the end of the story.
Yosef and Mordechai
Refuse to be swayed – Yosef rejects Mrs. Potiphar's daily advances while Mordechai rejects Haman's daily demand that he bow.
Second in command– Both Yosef and Mordechai rise to second in command.
Signs of kingship – Both characters are given the king's signet ring, dressed in royal finery and paraded through the streets on the king's horse/chariot as others proclaim their preferential status.
Good deeds forgotten – Yosef is forgotten by the butler, only to be remembered two years later, when Paroh's sleep is bothered by dreams. Mordechai's saving of the king's life is similarly ignored until the king's turbulent sleep leads him to read a record thereof.
Paroh and Achashverosh
Punishing of eunuchs – Paroh imprisons the butler and baker while Achashverosh hangs Bigtan and Tersah.
Party – Both celebrate parties at which fateful events occur.
Troubled sleep – Paroh's sleep is plagued by inexplicable dreams while Achashverosh's uneasy sleep awakens him.
Mordechai and Esther and Yaakov's family
Mourning – Upon hearing distressing news, both Yaakov and Mordechai don signs of mourning and refuse to be consoled.
Reluctant agreement – Yaakov and Esther both reluctantly agree to their relative's plan to save the nation/family from harm, recognizing that it might cost them their life/son.
Plea– Both Yehuda and Esther plea for salvation (for Binyamin/nation) before the ruler, claiming that they can't bear to see evil befall their loved ones.
Literary Allusions
Throughout the ten chapters of the Book of Esther there are continuous allusions to Bereshit. These range form individual terms to almost complete verses:
