Why does the Book of Esther not mention God?

Answer 1

The Book of Esther is the only book in The Bible that does not directly mention God, yet after the reader finishes the book, he/she realizes quite clearly that the Israelite God had miraculously saved them from certain destruction.

There are 2 possible reasons for this direct omission: One, the point of view of the writer may have considered the Jews who did not return to Israel before (see Ezra 1:1) as peoples now cut-off from God's blessings therefore, the omission of God's name. Second, the writer may have written the book in the form of a Persian state chronicle, explaining the Jewish Feast of Purim to the Persians. In this style, the writer would emphasize the king's name, titles, and lists but write about the Jewish people in detached tones.

Answer 2

The Book of Esther is considered to be a Jewish novel from the second century BCE, not a work of history written by Esther herself. Just as today we have novels that do not mention God, as well as books about religion, so Jews of the second century BCE read secular novels as well as books about religion. However, the Additions to Esther, used by the Catholic Church but recognised as not original although inspired, do mention God.