Editing Book of Esther (section)

===Canonicity===
The canonicity of these Greek additions has been a subject of scholarly disagreement practically since their first appearance in the [[Septuagint]].{{snd}} [[Martin Luther]], being perhaps the most vocal [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]]-era critic of the work, considered even the original Hebrew version to be of very doubtful value.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bush|first=Frederic W.|date=1998|title=The Book of Esther: ''Opus non gratum'' in the Christian Canon|url=https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/bbr/esther_bush.pdf|url-status=live|journal=[[Bulletin for Biblical Research]]|volume=8|pages=39–54|doi=10.5325/bullbiblrese.8.1.0039 |jstor=26422154|s2cid=64672092 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820023836/https://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/esther_bush.pdf|archive-date=20 August 2008}}</ref>

The [[Council of Florence|Council of Basel–Ferrara–Florence]] confirmed its status as canonical between 1431 and 1445.<ref>{{cite web | last=Fathers | first=Council | title=Council of Basel 1431-45 A.D. Council Fathers | website=Papal Encyclicals | date=2024-01-31 | url=https://www.papalencyclicals.net/councils/ecum17.htm | access-date=2024-08-12}}</ref>

The [[Council of Trent]], the summation of the [[Counter-Reformation]], reconfirmed the entire book,<ref>{{cite web | last=Fathers | first=Council | title=General Council of Trent: Fourth Session | website=Papal Encyclicals | date=2024-01-31 | url=https://www.papalencyclicals.net//councils/trent/fourth-session.htm | access-date=2024-08-12}}</ref> both Hebrew text and Greek additions, as canonical. The Book of Esther is used twice in commonly used sections of the Catholic [[Lectionary]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lectionary: Scripture Index - Deuterocanonical Books |url=https://catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/Index-Deuterocanonicals.htm |website=catholic-resources.org |access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref> In both cases, the text used is not only taken from a Greek addition. The readings also include the prayer of [[Mordecai]], and nothing of [[Esther]]'s own words is ever used.{{clarify|date=December 2022}} The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] uses the Septuagint version of Esther, as it does for all of the Old Testament.

In contrast, the additions are included in the [[Biblical apocrypha]], usually printed in a separate section (if at all) in [[Protestant bible]]s. The additions, called "The rest of the Book of Esther", are specifically listed in the [[Thirty-Nine Articles]], Article VI, of the [[Church of England]] as non-canonical, though "read for example of life and instruction of manners".<ref>Church of England, [https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/book-common-prayer/articles-religion#VI Articles of Religion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227100234/https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/book-common-prayer/articles-religion#VI |date=2019-02-27 }}, accessed 31 December 2022: they are included in the section headed: "And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine; such are these following:..."</ref>