Esther 9:17

KJV

On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

KJV (with Strong's)

On the thirteenth {H7969}{H6240} day {H3117} of the month {H2320} Adar {H143}; and on the fourteenth {H702}{H6240} day of the same rested {H5118} they, and made {H6213} it a day {H3117} of feasting {H4960} and gladness {H8057}.

Complete Jewish Bible

on the thirteenth day of the month Adar. So on the fourteenth day of Adar they rested and made it a holiday for celebrating and rejoicing.

Berean Standard Bible

This was done on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested, making it a day of feasting and joy.

American Standard Version

This was doneon the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 9:17 marks a pivotal moment for the Jewish people across the Persian Empire, transitioning from a period of intense conflict and existential threat to one of widespread celebration. Following their divinely enabled victory over those who sought their annihilation, this verse records that the Jews in the provinces ceased their defensive actions on the fourteenth day of the month Adar, transforming it into a day of joyous feasting and profound gladness. This communal act of celebration serves as a foundational element for the annual festival of Purim, commemorating their miraculous deliverance and the complete reversal of their fortunes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 9:17 is strategically placed immediately after the detailed accounts of the Jewish people's successful defensive battles throughout the 127 provinces of King Ahasuerus's empire. [Esther 9:1-5](/esther/9-1 "Esther 9:1-5 - The Jews Defeat Their Enemies") describe the initial day of fighting on the thirteenth of Adar, during which the Jews valiantly defended themselves and defeated their adversaries. This verse specifically addresses the Jews residing in the provinces, distinguishing their single day of battle and subsequent rest from the two days of fighting (the thirteenth and fourteenth) that occurred in the capital city of Shushan, as meticulously detailed in [Esther 9:6-15](/esther/9-6 "Esther 9:6-15 - The Battle in Shushan"). By establishing the provincial Jews' day of rest and celebration, the verse sets the stage for the formal institution of the festival of Purim in [Esther 9:18-28](/esther/9-18 "Esther 9:18-28 - The Institution of Purim"), outlining the specific days of observance for both provincial and Shushan Jews, thus providing the chronological and geographical framework for the new annual commemoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of the book of Esther are set within the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus (commonly identified as Xerxes I, 486-465 BC). The antagonist, Haman, had nefariously cast lots, known as "pur," to determine the most "auspicious" day for the complete annihilation of all Jews throughout the empire, landing on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, as recorded in [Esther 3:7](/esther/3-7 "Esther 3:7 - Haman Casts Lots"). However, through the courageous intervention of Queen Esther and the wise counsel of Mordecai, the king issued a counter-decree, empowering the Jews to defend themselves on that very day, as stipulated in [Esther 8:11](/esther/8-11 "Esther 8:11 - The King's Counter-Decree"). Culturally, feasting was a deeply ingrained and significant practice in the ancient Near East, serving as a primary means of celebration, expressing thanksgiving, solemnizing covenants, and fostering communal bonding. Such banquets often marked significant victories, royal decrees, or divine deliverances. The act of resting after a major conflict was also a natural and expected custom, signifying the cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace and order following a period of intense exertion and danger.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Esther. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Providence**, where God's unseen, yet undeniably active, hand orchestrates events to protect His covenant people, even without His name being explicitly mentioned in the narrative. The dramatic and complete reversal of fortune, from impending doom to triumphant celebration, profoundly underscores God's sovereign control over human affairs and the malevolent schemes of evil individuals. The theme of **Deliverance and Salvation** is central, as the Jewish community is miraculously rescued from what appeared to be certain and complete annihilation. Furthermore, the verse highlights the crucial importance of **Commemoration and Remembrance**, as the "day of feasting and gladness" becomes the direct precursor to the annual festival of Purim, ensuring that future generations would perpetually recall God's faithfulness and the remarkable resilience of His people. This communal celebration also emphasizes **Joy and Gladness** as the fitting and divinely ordained response to divine intervention and ultimate victory over oppression, contrasting sharply with the "mourning and weeping" that would have otherwise consumed them ([Esther 4:3](/esther/4-3 "Esther 4:3 - Mourning in All Provinces")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adar (Hebrew, _ʼĂdâr'_):** The twelfth and final month of the Hebrew civil calendar, typically corresponding to late February or early March in the Gregorian calendar. Its specific mention here is critically important as it precisely dates the events, directly linking the day of battle (the 13th) and the subsequent day of rest and celebration (the 14th) to the very month Haman had chosen for their destruction. This precise timing dramatically highlights the complete and ironic reversal of the enemy's plans.
* **Rested (Hebrew, _nûwach'_):** This verb signifies more than a mere cessation from physical activity; it conveys a profound sense of settling down, finding peace, or being at ease after a period of intense effort, struggle, or danger. In the context of battle, it implies the complete cessation of conflict and the secure enjoyment of peace, a deep and profound relief after the intense fighting and existential threat of the previous day. It speaks to a state of security and tranquility achieved through victory.
* **Feasting and gladness (Hebrew, _mishteh v'simḥâ'_):** This is a frequently recurring and highly significant phrase in the Old Testament, consistently used to describe joyous celebrations, communal banquets, and profound merriment. The pairing of "feasting" (a communal meal, often elaborate) with "gladness" (a deep, inner joy, often accompanied by outward expressions of delight) emphasizes the profound sense of relief, gratitude, and communal rejoicing that permeated the Jewish communities after their miraculous deliverance. It stands in stark and powerful contrast to the "mourning and weeping" that would have tragically ensued had Haman's genocidal plot succeeded ([Esther 4:3](/esther/4-3 "Esther 4:3 - Mourning in All Provinces")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"On the thirteenth day of the month Adar;":** This clause precisely dates the day of the defensive battle for the Jewish people throughout the vast provinces of the Persian Empire. This was the very day Haman's decree was originally set to be executed, and the day the Jews were divinely empowered to defend themselves, as comprehensively described in [Esther 9:1-5](/esther/9-1 "Esther 9:1-5 - The Jews Defeat Their Enemies").
* **"and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they,":** This specifies the immediate aftermath for the provincial Jews. Having successfully completed their self-defense and achieved victory on the thirteenth, they ceased all hostile activity and entered a state of peace and repose on the following day. This rest signifies the definitive completion of their victory and the security and tranquility they now enjoyed.
* **"and made it a day of feasting and gladness.":** This final clause vividly describes the transformation of the day of rest into a vibrant and profound communal celebration. The cessation of conflict was not merely a return to normalcy but an occasion for deep communal joy, marked by banquets and effusive expressions of gladness, recognizing their miraculous and complete deliverance from impending doom.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Juxtaposition** by sharply contrasting the intense conflict and mortal danger of the thirteenth day of Adar with the peaceful rest and joyous celebration of the fourteenth. This dramatic contrast powerfully highlights the profound and divinely orchestrated reversal of fortune experienced by the Jewish people. The phrase "feasting and gladness" serves as a form of **Repetition** of a central theme found throughout the Purim narrative, emphasizing the profound joy and relief that consistently followed their deliverance. This phrase also functions as **Symbolism**, where the communal act of feasting represents not merely eating, but a collective expression of victory, profound thanksgiving, and the restoration of peace and well-being. The entire narrative, culminating in this joyous celebration, is an extended example of **Divine Irony**, as the very day intended for their destruction becomes the day of their triumph and the beginning of their annual celebration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:17 profoundly illustrates God's active, though often unseen, providence in the affairs of humanity. Despite the unique absence of God's explicit name in the book of Esther, His sovereign hand is undeniably evident in the miraculous reversal of Haman's genocidal plot. The transformation from a day of dread and potential annihilation to one of "feasting and gladness" serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they are in exile and seemingly abandoned. This verse underscores the timeless theological truth that God works through human agents and seemingly ordinary circumstances to accomplish His divine purposes, turning mourning into dancing and despair into joy. It calls believers across generations to recognize and celebrate God's deliverances in their own lives, remembering His past faithfulness as an unshakeable anchor for future hope and trust in His ongoing care.

* [Psalm 30:11](/psalm/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - Turning Mourning into Dancing")
* [Deuteronomy 6:12](/deuteronomy/6-12 "Deuteronomy 6:12 - Do Not Forget the Lord")
* [Isaiah 25:8](/isaiah/25-8 "Isaiah 25:8 - He Will Swallow Up Death Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 9:17 serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that even in the darkest valleys of life, God is actively at work, orchestrating deliverance and turning our deepest sorrows into profound joy. Just as the Jewish people paused to commemorate their hard-won victory with feasting and gladness, we too are called to intentionally remember and celebrate God's faithfulness in our own lives. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of deep gratitude, acknowledging the countless moments when God has intervened, provided, or protected us, even when His presence felt hidden or His hand unseen. It challenges us to transform our personal or communal "days of rest" after struggle into genuine and vibrant expressions of praise and thanksgiving, fostering a deep sense of community and shared joy in God's unfailing goodness. In a world often marked by hardship, anxiety, and despair, the story of Purim, rooted in the triumph of this verse, provides a timeless blueprint for finding profound gladness and unwavering hope in God's ultimate triumph over all evil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we better recognize and acknowledge God's unseen hand at work in our lives, even when circumstances seem chaotic or His presence feels hidden?**
* **What specific practices or rituals can we adopt, individually or communally, to intentionally commemorate moments of divine deliverance and blessing?**
* **How does the transformation from fear and mourning to "feasting and gladness" in Esther 9:17 encourage us to approach current struggles with hope and confident expectation of God's intervention?**

### FAQ
**Why is God not explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther, despite His clear involvement in the events?**

Answer: The absence of God's explicit name in the book of Esther is a unique and intentional literary feature that profoundly emphasizes His providential working behind the scenes. Rather than direct miraculous intervention or explicit prophetic declaration, the narrative highlights God's sovereignty through the seemingly ordinary actions of individuals (Esther's courage, Mordecai's wisdom) and the remarkable coincidence of events (such as the king's sleepless night in [Esther 6:1](/esther/6-1 "The King's Sleepless Night")). This literary choice powerfully teaches us that God is actively involved in the mundane, political, and even seemingly secular affairs of humanity, guiding history and protecting His people even when His presence is not overtly declared. It underscores the profound theological truth that God's faithfulness does not depend on our ability to perceive Him, but on His unchanging character and sovereign plan.

**What is the significance of the "thirteenth" and "fourteenth" days of Adar in this context?**

Answer: The specific dating of these days is crucial for understanding the historical establishment and ongoing observance of the festival of Purim. The thirteenth day of Adar was the precise date Haman had chosen by lot ("pur") for the annihilation of all the Jews throughout the empire ([Esther 3:7](/esther/3-7 "Haman Casts Lots")). It consequently became the day the Jews were empowered to defend themselves and fought their enemies across the provinces. Esther 9:17 explicitly states that the Jews in the provinces, having completed their defense on the thirteenth, rested and celebrated on the fourteenth. This distinguishes them from the Jews in the capital city of Shushan, who fought for two days (the thirteenth and fourteenth) and therefore rested and celebrated on the fifteenth ([Esther 9:18](/esther/9-18 "The Two Days of Purim")). This geographical distinction ultimately led to the two-day celebration of Purim, with different days observed in walled cities versus unwalled towns, a practice that continues to this day.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic deliverance of the Jewish people in Esther 9:17, culminating in a day of "feasting and gladness," profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and eternal deliverance accomplished through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Jews were miraculously rescued from a decree of death and transformed from victims into victors, so too are believers in Christ rescued from the decree of sin and death by His sacrificial work on the cross. The rest found on the fourteenth of Adar, after the battle was won, points to the true spiritual rest offered by Christ to all who are weary and burdened by the weight of sin and striving ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). The "feasting and gladness" that erupted among the Jewish people anticipates the incomparable joy of salvation and the ultimate, unending celebration of the marriage supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")), where all tears will be wiped away and sorrow will be no more ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Death")). Christ is the true Mordecai, who, through His suffering, death, and glorious resurrection, reverses the curse of sin and defeats the ultimate enemy, Satan, disarming the powers and authorities and triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14-15 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The Purim story, with its dramatic reversal and joyous celebration, is a powerful earthly echo of the cosmic victory secured by our Lord, who has overcome the world and gives us His perfect peace ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Overcoming the World")).

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 9:1

¶ 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;)

Esther 9:21

To stablish [this] among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,

Esther 3:12

Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and [to] every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

Esther 8:9

Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that [is], the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which [are] from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

Esther 9:18

But the Jews that [were] at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth [day] thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth [day] of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.