Esther 9:1

KJV

¶ Now in the twelfth month, that [is], the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)

KJV (with Strong's)

Now in the twelfth {H8147}{H6240} month {H2320}, that is, the month {H2320} Adar {H143}, on the thirteenth {H7969}{H6240} day {H3117} of the same, when the king's {H4428} commandment {H1697} and his decree {H1881} drew near {H5060} to be put in execution {H6213}, in the day {H3117} that the enemies {H341} of the Jews {H3064} hoped {H7663} to have power {H7980} over them,(though it was turned {H2015} to the contrary, that the Jews {H3064} had rule {H7980} over them that hated {H8130} them;)

Complete Jewish Bible

The time approached for the king's order and decree to be carried out, the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to overpower them. But, as it turned out, the opposite took place - the Jews overpowered those who hated them. Thus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar,

Berean Standard Bible

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them.

American Standard Version

Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them (whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them),

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 9:1 powerfully introduces the dramatic climax of the book, detailing the profound and miraculous reversal of fortune for the Jewish people. On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar—the very date originally decreed by Haman for their annihilation—the enemies of the Jews, who had eagerly anticipated their demise, instead found themselves utterly defeated. This verse reveals that, contrary to all expectations, the Jews gained ascendancy and exercised authority over those who hated them, setting the stage for a day of unexpected triumph and vividly showcasing the powerful, though unseen, hand of divine providence at work in human history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 9:1 serves as the climactic culmination of the entire narrative arc of the book of Esther. It marks the long-anticipated "day" (first specified in [Esther 3:13](/esther/3-13 "Esther 3:13 - Haman's Decree")) when Haman's genocidal decree was to be executed. The tension has been meticulously built throughout the preceding chapters, detailing Haman's casting of lots (Pur) to determine this date, Esther's courageous intercession before the king ([Esther 4](/esther/4 "Esther 4 - Esther's Resolve and Fasting")), Mordecai's strategic counsel, and the subsequent issuing of the counter-decree ([Esther 8:11-12](/esther/8-11 "Esther 8:11-12 - The Counter-Decree and Jewish Right to Self-Defense")). This pivotal verse resolves the central conflict, demonstrating the triumph of God's people over their adversaries, not through overt divine miracles, but through meticulously orchestrated human actions that undeniably reflect divine sovereignty. It immediately precedes the detailed account of the Jews defending themselves throughout the empire and the subsequent establishment of the joyous Feast of Purim.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Esther are set within the vast Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus, widely identified with Xerxes I (486-465 BCE), whose dominion stretched from India to Ethiopia. A critical aspect of Persian law was its immutability: once a royal decree was issued and sealed with the king's signet ring, it could not be revoked ([Esther 1:19](/esther/1-19 "Esther 1:19 - The Immutability of Persian Law")). This legal rigidity is paramount to understanding the complex dilemma faced by Esther and Mordecai; they could not nullify Haman's original decree but could only issue a new decree granting the Jews the right to self-defense. The "thirteenth day of Adar" was chosen by Haman through divination (casting lots, or "pur"), a common ancient Near Eastern practice for determining propitious or fateful days for significant undertakings. The historical backdrop also includes the inherent vulnerability of diaspora communities, such as the Jews living in Persia, to the whims of powerful officials and the pervasive threat of popular prejudice, making their empire-wide deliverance all the more extraordinary and a testament to their resilience.

* **Key Themes:** The most striking theme in Esther 9:1 is **Divine Reversal and Providence**. What was meticulously planned by the enemies of the Jews as a day of slaughter was utterly "turned to the contrary" by an unseen, yet undeniably active, divine hand. This echoes the profound biblical principle that God can transform evil intentions into good outcomes, as powerfully articulated by Joseph in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Declaration of God's Redemptive Purpose"). Closely intertwined is the theme of **Justice and Retribution**, where the wicked, who meticulously planned harm for others, ultimately fall into their own snare—a concept frequently found in wisdom literature (e.g., [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked's Own Trap")). Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates **God's Protection and Deliverance** of His covenant people. Despite facing an empire-wide decree and overwhelming odds, the Jewish community was miraculously preserved, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned in the narrative.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adar (Hebrew, _ʼĂdâr_):** The twelfth and final month of the Babylonian calendar, corresponding approximately to February-March in the Gregorian calendar. Its specific mention here emphasizes the precise chronological setting and highlights the year-long period of suspense and anticipation that preceded this fateful day. The naming of the month underscores the historical specificity of the events and the meticulous planning of both the intended destruction and the divinely orchestrated deliverance.
* **turned (Hebrew, _hâphak_):** This primitive root, from which the phrase "turned to the contrary" is derived, signifies a complete reversal, an overturning, or a radical change of direction. It implies not merely a slight alteration but a fundamental inversion of circumstances. In Esther 9:1, it dramatically conveys that the expected outcome—the enemies having power over the Jews—was completely inverted, with the Jews gaining ascendancy instead. This emphatic declaration captures the essence of divine irony and the dramatic shift in power dynamics central to the book's message of deliverance.
* **rule (Hebrew, _shâlaṭ_):** This primitive root means "to dominate, to govern, or to have power." It is used twice in the verse, first in the enemies' "hope to have power over them" and then in the declaration that the Jews "had rule over them that hated them." The repetition highlights the direct and complete reversal of authority. The enemies sought to dominate, but it was the Jews who ultimately exercised dominion, demonstrating a profound shift in control and authority orchestrated by divine providence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now in the twelfth month, that [is], the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same":** This precise chronological marker immediately sets the scene, emphasizing the exact date that Haman's original decree was scheduled for execution. The year-long wait since the decree was issued ([Esther 3:12-13](/esther/3-12 "Esther 3:12-13 - Haman's Decree Issued and Sent")) builds immense tension, making the events of this particular day profoundly significant and keenly anticipated by all parties.
* **"when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution":** This clause underscores the imminent and unavoidable danger. The original, irrevocable decree, sealed by the king's signet ring, was now at the precipice of its fulfillment. The rigid legal system of Persia meant that this day was fixed and unalterable, amplifying the perceived hopelessness of the Jews' situation and the magnitude of the impending threat.
* **"in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them":** This phrase vividly reveals the malicious intent and eager anticipation of the adversaries. They were not merely passive observers but active participants, fully expecting to dominate, plunder, and destroy the Jewish people. Their "hope" was rooted in deep-seated hatred and a genocidal agenda, making the subsequent divine intervention all the more striking.
* **"(though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)":** This parenthetical clause delivers the dramatic punchline and the central message of the verse. It immediately and emphatically subverts the expectation set by the preceding clauses. The word "though" (וְנַהֲפוֹךְ, _wĕnahăpōkh_) introduces the profound and complete reversal. Instead of being victims, the Jews became victors, exercising authority and successfully defending themselves against their aggressors. This is the ultimate demonstration of divine providence, where God turns the tables on the wicked.

#### Literary Devices
Esther 9:1 is replete with powerful literary devices, with **Irony** being the most prominent. The very day chosen by Haman for the annihilation of the Jews is transformed into a day of their triumph and the destruction of their enemies. This dramatic reversal is a supreme example of situational irony, where the outcome is the complete opposite of what was intended and expected. The explicit phrase "turned to the contrary" directly highlights this profound irony. Furthermore, the verse employs **Antithesis**, presenting a stark contrast between the enemies' "hope to have power over them" and the reality that "the Jews had rule over them that hated them." This direct opposition underscores the completeness and radical nature of the reversal. The narrative also skillfully utilizes **Suspense**, as the reader has been anticipating this fateful day since Haman's decree in chapter 3, making the climactic resolution in chapter 9 all the more impactful and satisfying. While God is not explicitly named within the text, the entire narrative, and especially this verse, stands as a profound demonstration of **Divine Providence**, where an unseen hand orchestrates events to protect His people, turning human plans on their head for His ultimate purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:1 stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering sovereignty of God, even in a biblical book where His name is conspicuously absent. The dramatic reversal of fortune on the thirteenth of Adar is a profound demonstration that human plans, no matter how meticulously laid or powerfully enforced, are ultimately subject to the overarching will of the Almighty. It illustrates that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people, orchestrating events behind the scenes to fulfill His covenant promises and bring about His righteous justice. This divine providence ensures that evil schemes, though they may seem unstoppable and meticulously planned, will ultimately collapse under their own weight, often turning back upon their originators. The preservation of the Jewish people in Persia is a microcosm of God's faithfulness to His chosen nation throughout history, ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come and demonstrating His commitment to His redemptive plan.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Declaration of God's Redemptive Purpose")
* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15 "The Wicked Fall Into Their Own Trap")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "The Lord Directs Our Steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound reversal depicted in Esther 9:1 offers immense encouragement and a vital lesson for believers today. It reminds us that even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, dire decrees, or the malicious intentions of adversaries, God remains sovereign and supremely capable of orchestrating a complete turnaround. This narrative calls us to cultivate a deep and unwavering trust in God's unseen hand, believing that He can transform our darkest days into opportunities for His glory and our deliverance. When our circumstances appear hopeless, or when we feel overwhelmed by forces beyond our control, Esther 9:1 provides a powerful reminder that God's ultimate plan cannot be thwarted. It inspires us to pray with persistent faith, act with courageous obedience, and persevere with steadfast hope, knowing that the Lord can "turn to the contrary" any situation for the ultimate good of those who love Him and are called according to His divine purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the dramatic reversal in Esther 9:1 encourage you when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles or opposition in your own life?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to trust God for a "turn to the contrary," believing He can transform what seems destined for ill into a triumph?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of divine justice and the ultimate futility of evil schemes against God's eternal purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why is God not explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther, yet His presence is so evident in Esther 9:1?**

Answer: The absence of God's explicit name in the book of Esther is unique among biblical books, yet His active presence, often referred to as "divine providence," is undeniably the driving force behind the entire narrative. Esther 9:1 is a prime example of this. The "turn to the contrary" is too precise, too complete, and too perfectly timed to be mere coincidence or the result of human ingenuity alone. It demonstrates that God works powerfully and precisely, even when He chooses to remain hidden or when His people are in a land where His explicit worship might be suppressed. His sovereignty is not diminished by His silence; rather, it is highlighted by the miraculous orchestration of events through human agents like Esther and Mordecai. This teaches us that God is actively at work in the mundane, the political, and the seemingly secular aspects of life, fulfilling His purposes and protecting His people, just as [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good in All Things") assures us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him."

**What is the significance of the "thirteenth day of Adar" in the context of Jewish tradition?**

Answer: The "thirteenth day of Adar" holds immense significance because it was the very day Haman had chosen by lot (Pur) for the annihilation of the Jewish people throughout the vast Persian Empire ([Esther 3:7](/esther/3-7 "Esther 3:7 - Haman Casts Lots to Determine the Day")). Esther 9:1 dramatically reveals that this day, intended for their destruction, was miraculously transformed into a day of triumph and victorious self-defense. Following the events of this day and the subsequent day of rest and feasting on the fourteenth of Adar, Mordecai and Esther established the annual Feast of Purim ([Esther 9:20-22](/esther/9-20 "Esther 9:20-22 - Institution of the Feast of Purim")), which commemorates this great deliverance. Thus, the thirteenth of Adar is remembered not as a day of mourning, but as the eve of a joyous celebration, a permanent reminder of God's faithful reversal of evil and His protection of His covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic reversal witnessed in Esther 9:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the day intended for the Jewish people's destruction was transformed into a day of their triumph, so too was the cross, intended by the powers of darkness for Jesus' defeat and the eradication of God's redemptive plan, miraculously "turned to the contrary" by God Himself. What appeared to be the ultimate victory of sin, death, and the devil became the very means of their decisive overthrow. On the cross, where the "enemies" of humanity—sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil—hoped to have power over the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), God's divine strategy turned their malice into mankind's salvation. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, those who were once enemies of God ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Death")) are now reconciled and given "rule" and authority over the spiritual forces that once enslaved them ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The resurrection of Jesus on the third day is the ultimate "turn to the contrary," definitively conquering death and securing eternal victory for all who believe, fulfilling the prophetic echoes of deliverance found in Esther's narrative ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Esther 8:12

Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, [namely], upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which [is] the month Adar.

Esther 3:13

And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, [even] upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey.

Revelation 11:18

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Isaiah 14:1

¶ For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

Isaiah 14:2

And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

2 Samuel 22:41

Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.

Psalms 30:11

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;