("second translation"). A Midrashic paraphrase in Aramaic of the Book of Esther. In addition to the numerous older Palestinian and Babylonian sources on which the author draws, there is some material that reflects his own imaginative creation. Some of the motifs are borrowed from the Koran; this points to the late seventh or early eighth century as the time of its composition. The language is Western Aramaic, with a large mixture of Greek words.
The prolixity of the author is illustrated by his comments on the text, "When King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his Kingdom" (Est. 1:2), which prompts a long, elaborate, and highly detailed description of the throne of Solomon. He then proceeds to write a fulsome panegyric on Solomon's might and wisdom.
One of the author's favorite methods is to invent long conversations between the various characters in the Book of Esther. In one of these conversations, Haman gives a fairly accurate description of Jewish practice but interprets it maliciously in order to denounce the Jews. The author likewise composes a number of prayers which he puts in the mouth of Esther and Mordecai.
