Esther 9:20-28 · Bible study
Esther 9:20-28 Commentary: Purim Established
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Scholarly study: Mordecai's letters instituting Purim as an annual feast of rest, joy, remembrance, and charity.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Official institution of the annual feast of Purim through letters from Mordecai, commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Haman.
- Key words: Purim (H6332, from Persian 'Pur' = lot); rest (H5117, nuch); sorrow (H3015, yagon) turned to joy (H8057, simchah).
- Main debate: The subject of 'when she came before the king' in v.25, some refer to Esther, others to the matter.
- Theological theme: Divine providence working through human action; the community’s responsibility to remember and celebrate God’s deliverance.
- Best use: A sermon or lesson on how to establish lasting traditions of remembrance, joy, and charity in response to God’s saving acts.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
20Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Xerxes, both near and far,
21to establish among them an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar
22as the days on which the Jews gained rest from their enemies and the month in which their sorrow turned to joy and their mourning into a holiday. He wrote that these were to be days of feasting and joy, of sending gifts to one another and to the poor.
23So the Jews agreed to continue the custom they had started, as Mordecai had written to them.
24For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them.
25But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
26Therefore these days are called Purim, from the word Pur. Because of all the instructions in this letter, and because of all they had seen and experienced,
27the Jews bound themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should not fail to celebrate these two days at the appointed time each and every year, according to their regulation.
28These days should be remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, nor should the memory of them fade from their descendants.
WEB World English Bible 2000
20Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus, both near and far,
21to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar yearly,
22as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy.
23The Jews accepted the custom that they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them,
24because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast “Pur”, that is the lot, to consume them and to destroy them;
25but when this became known to the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked plan, which he had planned against the Jews, should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
26Therefore they called these days “Purim”, from the word “Pur.” Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come to them,
27the Jews established and imposed on themselves, on their descendants, and on all those who joined themselves to them, so that it should not fail that they would keep these two days according to what was written and according to its appointed time every year;
28and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor their memory perish from their offspring.
KJV King James Version 1769
20And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
21To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
22As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
23And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
24Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
25But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
26Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
27The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
28And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
20And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
21to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
22as the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
23And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
24because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
25but when the matter came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
26Wherefore they called these days Purim, after the name of Pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come unto them,
27the Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof, and according to the appointed time thereof, every year;
28and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the remembrance of them perish from their seed.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
20And Mordecai writeth these things, and sendeth letters unto all the Jews who are in all provinces of the king Ahasuerus, who are near and who are far off,
21to establish on them, to be keeping the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and the fifteenth day of it, in every year and year,
22as days on which the Jews have rested from their enemies, and the month that hath been turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning to a good day, to make them days of banquet and of joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the needy.
23And the Jews have received that which they had begun to do, and that which Mordecai hath written unto them,
24because Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, adversary of all the Jews, had devised concerning the Jews to destroy them, and had caused to fall Pur--that is the lot--to crush them and to destroy them;
25and in her coming in before the king, he said with the letter, `Let his evil device that he devised against the Jews turn back upon his own head,' and they have hanged him and his sons on the tree,
26therefore they have called these days Purim--by the name of the lot--therefore, because of all the words of this letter, and what they have seen concerning this, and what hath come unto them,
27the Jews have established and received upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all those joined unto them, and it doth not pass away, to be keeping these two days according to their writing, and according to their season, in every year and year;
28and these days are remembered and kept in every generation and generation, family and family, province and province, and city and city, and these days of Purim do not pass away from the midst of the Jews, and their memorial is not ended from their seed.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
20And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews near and far that were in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus,
21to establish [this] among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
22as the days on which the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month that was turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
23And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written to them.
24For Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the oppressor of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them and to destroy them;
25and when [Esther] came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head; and they hanged him and his sons on the gallows.
26Therefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore, according to all the words of this letter, and for what they had seen concerning this matter and what had happened to them,
27the Jews ordained and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves to them, so that it should not fail, that they would observe these two days according to their writing and according to their fixed time, every year;
28and that these days should be remembered and observed throughout every generation, in every family, every province, and every city, and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them cease from among their seed.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
20And Mardochai wrote all these things, and sent them comprised in letters to the Jews that abode in all the king's provinces, both those that lay near and those afar off,
21That they should receive the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the month Adar for holy days, and always at the return of the year should celebrate them with solemn honour:
22Because on those days the Jews revenged themselves of their enemies, and their mourning and sorrow were turned into mirth and joy, and that these should be days of feasting and gladness, in which they should send one to another portions of meats, and should give gifts to the poor.
23And the Jews undertook to observe with solemnity all they had begun to do at that time, which Mardochai by letters had commanded to be done.
24For Aman, the son of Amadathi of the race of Agag, the enemy and adversary of the Jews, had devised evil against them, to kill them and destroy them; and had cast Phur, that is, the lot.
25And afterwards Esther went in to the king, beseeching him that his endeavors might be made void by the king's letters: and the evil that he had intended against the Jews, might return upon his own head. And so both he and his sons were hanged upon gibbets.
26And since that time these days are called Phurim, that is, of lots: because Phur, that is, the lot, was cast into the urn. And all things that were done, are contained in the volume of this epistle, that is, of this book:
27And the things that they suffered, and that were afterwards changed, the Jews took upon themselves and their seed, and upon all that had a mind to be joined to their religion, so that it should be lawful for none to pass these days without solemnity: which the writing testifieth, and certain times require, as the years continually succeed one another.
28These are the days which shall never be forgot: and which all provinces in the whole world shall celebrate throughout all generations: neither is there any city wherein the days of Phurim, that is, of lots, must not be observed by the Jews, and by their posterity, which is bound to these ceremonies.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Esther 9:20
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this passage records the formal institution of the annual feast of Purim. Mordecai, as Jewish vizier of Persia, sent letters throughout the 127 provinces (v.20) commanding the yearly observance of the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar (v.21). The stated reason: these were the days when 'the Jews had rest from their enemies' and 'sorrow turned to gladness' (v.22). The Cambridge Bible notes that Mordecai’s position gave him authority to impose this celebration. Clarke observes that the Jews had already begun celebrating spontaneously; Mordecai’s letters made it permanent. Gill stresses that the feast was civil rather than religious, not an addition to the Mosaic law. All agree that the name 'Purim' derives from the Persian word 'Pur' (lot), referring to the lots Haman cast (v.26). The Jews bound themselves, their descendants, and all who joined them to keep these days as a perpetual memorial (vv.27, 28). Keil and Delitzsch confirm the passage both recounts the origin and prescribes the observance of Purim.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Esther as subject: KJV, Geneva, and Gill read the Hebrew feminine verb as referring to Esther, consistent with the narrative context.
- The matter as subject: Keil and the Cambridge Bible argue the feminine pronoun can be neuter, translating as 'when it (the matter) came before the king,' based on the immediate context where Esther is not named.
- Mordecai wrote the entire book: Clarke and some early commentators believe 'these things' includes the book of Esther, given Mordecai's role as author; others limit it to the letters.
What is clear: Mordecai sent letters establishing the annual two-day feast of Purim, which the Jews accepted as a perpetual memorial of their deliverance from Haman's plot.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Subject of 'when she came before the king' (v.25) | A feminine entity came before the king leading to the command. | Some (KJV, Gill) see Esther as the explicit subject; others (Keil, Cambridge Bible) argue the Hebrew feminine pronoun may be neuter, referring to 'the matter.' |
| Scope of 'these things' Mordecai wrote (v.20) | Mordecai recorded the events of the deliverance. | Clarke suggests he may have written the entire book of Esther; others say only the letters instituting Purim. |
| Nature of the feast: civil or religious? | The feast commemorates a historical event. | Gill insists it is a civil feast, not adding to the Mosaic law. Other Christian traditions see it as having religious significance as a celebration of God's providence. |
| Binding force on proselytes (v.27) | The obligation extends to 'all who joined themselves to them.' | Wesley notes proselytes submitted to Jewish laws; some see this as a model for Gentile inclusion. The text asserts the binding nature for all who join. |
| Perpetual observance: 'should not fail' (vv.27-28) | The Jews established the feast as a permanent annual memorial. | Jewish tradition holds it as a rabbinic obligation; Christian views range from respecting it as a historical tradition to seeing it as part of God’s ongoing covenant with Israel. The text records the Jews' own commitment. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The events take place in the vast Persian Empire under Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I, 486, 465 BC). Esther 1:1 describes the empire stretching from India to Ethiopia, with 127 provinces. The Jews were scattered throughout these provinces following the Babylonian exile. Haman the Agagite, a descendant of the Amalekites, ancient enemies of Israel, plotted to destroy all Jews in a single day (3:6). He cast lots (Pur) to determine the date; the lot fell on the thirteenth day of Adar (3:7,13).
By providence, the plot was reversed. The king allowed Mordecai and Esther to issue a counter-decree (8:9, 14). On the thirteenth of Adar, the Jews defended themselves. On the fourteenth (and in Susa the fifteenth) they rested from their enemies (9:16, 18). The people spontaneously celebrated. Mordecai then formalized this celebration by writing letters to all Jews, both near and far, establishing the annual observance (v.20). The Cambridge Bible notes that the Hebrew word for 'letter' (iggereth) is a late word, probably of Assyrian origin, fitting the Persian period.
Gill describes the feast as a time of feasting, joy, sending presents to one another, and gifts to the needy (v.22). Including the poor reflects the community’s care for the vulnerable. The repetition of 'every generation, every family, every province, and every city' (v.28) emphasizes that this observance was binding on all Jews everywhere. The phrase 'should not fail' (v.27) uses a strong verb for 'pass away,' indicating the Jews’ determination that the memory of this deliverance would never perish. Purim occurs one month before Passover, in early spring, and has been observed by Jews annually ever since.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Esther 9:20-28. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. In verse 25, the KJV and Geneva Bible read 'when Esther came before the king,' while other translations (ASV, YLT, BSB, WEB) reflect the Hebrew feminine pronoun ('it came') without inserting Esther's name. This difference is interpretive rather than textual. The Lucianic recension of the Septuagint adds a few details about Mordecai's letter, but these are expansions not present in the Masoretic Text.
Reception History
Purim has been observed by Jews continuously since the Second Temple period. The Mishnah (Megillah) prescribes reading the Scroll of Esther in synagogue. The day before Purim is a fast (the Fast of Esther, recalling Esther 4:16). Gifts to the poor (mattanot la'evyonim) and sending portions of food (mishloach manot) remain central customs.
In Christian tradition, Purim received little attention until the Reformation. Some Protestant commentators, like Matthew Henry, saw it as a model for commemorating providential deliverances. In contemporary times, some Christian groups have adopted Purim celebrations as a way to honor Jewish heritage and God’s faithfulness to Israel. The feast’s emphasis on joy, feasting, and charity has also been noted by liturgical renewal movements. Overall, Purim is primarily a Jewish festival, but its themes resonate across Christian traditions.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Record of Deliverance (vv.20-22). Mordecai sends official letters to all Jews prescribing the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar as days of rest, feasting, and giving gifts.
- The Reason for Celebration (vv.23-25). Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews through lots is reversed; the king commands that the evil plan return on Haman’s own head.
- The Resolution for Posterity (vv.26-28). The Jews name the feast Purim and bind themselves, their descendants, and all who join them to keep it as a perpetual memorial.
Five-point outline
- Mordecai records the events and sends letters to all Jews in the provinces (v.20).
- The letters establish an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar (vv.21-22).
- The Jews accept and continue the custom they had started (v.23).
- The historical basis is given: Haman’s lot-casting and God’s reversal through the king’s command (vv.24-25).
- The feast receives the name Purim, and the Jews impose it on themselves and their offspring forever (vv.26-28).
Illustration hooks
- A church that holds an annual “Deliverance Sunday” to mark a time when the congregation faced crisis and saw God’s help.
- A family that gathers each year on the anniversary of a parent’s recovery from illness, sharing a meal and giving to a charity.
- A community food drive that began after a natural disaster and became a yearly tradition of caring for neighbors.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Should Christians celebrate Purim? Isn’t it only a Jewish holiday?”
- “What does this feast teach us about remembering God’s work in our own history?”
- “How can we apply the command to give gifts to the poor in our own celebrations?”
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows how the Jews formalized their commemoration of deliverance. God’s name is not mentioned in Esther, yet his providence is evident. The feast of Purim became a lasting institution of remembrance and charity. As you study, consider how we commemorate God’s faithful acts.
Discussion questions
- What does Mordecai’s action of writing letters (v.20) tell us about the importance of recording and preserving accounts of deliverance?
- Why did the Jews include sending gifts to the poor in their celebration (v.22)? What does this reveal about their values?
- The feast is named after the lots (Pur) that Haman cast. Why might they choose a name that reminded them of the enemy’s scheme?
- How would you describe the tone of vv.24-25? What emotions might the original readers have felt reading that summary?
- The Jews bound themselves and their descendants (v.27). What does this say about corporate responsibility across generations?
- In what ways do we pass on stories of God’s faithfulness to our families?
- How can our church services incorporate elements of joy, remembrance, and generosity that model Purim’s pattern?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 17:14 | Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.” |
| Deuteronomy 31:19 | “Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. |
| Deuteronomy 31:22 | So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel. |
| I Chronicles 16:12 | Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, |
| Esther 1:1 | Now in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces), |
| Esther 1:22 | for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people. |
| Esther 3:12 | Then the king’s scribes were called in on the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the king’s local governors, and to the governors who were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus, and it was sealed with the king’s ring. |
| Esther 8:9 | Then the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the twenty-third day of the month; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the local governors, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, and to the Jews in their writing, and in their language. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the later parts of Esther are not original writings by Mordecai but were added later by other writers. He explains that the final section repeats earlier events and sets aside a yearly feast called Purim to remember their rescue.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that Mordecai’s role as high official gave him authority to establish the new festival. He also explains that the letter mentions only the joyous aspects of the celebration.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Geneva Bible Notes notes that Haman planned to destroy all Jews but failed because the king ordered his death. Christians who hold this view see these two days as a memorial of God’s protection.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that the Jews established Purim as a civil commemoration, not as a religious addition to the law. He explains the specific rabbinic customs that later grew around the feast, including the requirements for sending gifts and reading the book of Esther. He also records that some elders and prophets initially questioned whether the observance was an innovation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
Jamieson Fausset Brown notes that some think Mordecai wrote the letters or a record of the events themselves. The commentator also explains that Purim means lot and that the festival was set on the day chosen by lot through Haman.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch stress that Mordecai's letters formally established both the 14th and 15th of Adar as festival days, since Jews in the provinces rested on different days after their deliverance. They also note that the name Purim comes directly from Haman's casting of Pur, the lot, and that the annual observance was confirmed by both Mordecai's written command and the community's firsthand experience.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that Purim celebrates a complete reversal of power: the great Persian empire that once feasted triumphantly now suffers defeat, while the Jewish nation Haman aimed to destroy instead gains rule over its enemies. The feast marks the turning from sorrow to joy, from mourning to a good day.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Haman intended to destroy the Jews by casting lots to decide their fate. He also says that the king ordered Haman and his sons to be hanged because of his evil plan.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that haman used a lot to decide the day of Jewish destruction. He also says gentile converts who followed Jewish laws were included because they benefited from that day’s rescue.