Esther 9:17

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Esther 9:17 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical book of Esther, shifting from intense conflict to joyous celebration. This verse describes the aftermath of the Jewish people's victory over their enemies throughout the vast Persian Empire, establishing the foundation for the annual festival of Purim.

Context

Following Haman's malicious plot to annihilate the Jews, King Ahasuerus, influenced by Queen Esther and Mordecai, issued a counter-decree. This decree, found in Esther 8:11, empowered the Jews to defend themselves against those who sought to destroy them. On the thirteenth day of the month Adar, across all 127 provinces of the Persian Empire, the Jewish people stood for their lives (as detailed in Esther 9:1-5). While those in the capital city of Shushan fought for two days, the Jews in the provinces completed their defense on the thirteenth. This verse specifies that after their victory, they rested on the fourteenth day of Adar, turning it into a day of profound feasting and gladness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The verse powerfully illustrates God's unseen hand guiding events to rescue His people from imminent destruction. Despite never explicitly mentioning God's name, His providence is evident in the reversal of fortunes and the Jewish people's ability to overcome their adversaries.
  • Joy and Celebration: The transformation from fear and mourning to "feasting and gladness" is a central theme. It highlights the profound relief and joy that followed a period of intense danger, signifying a complete victory and the restoration of peace for the Jewish community.
  • Commemoration of Purim: This verse, along with Esther 9:18-19, lays the groundwork for the annual festival of Purim. It establishes the specific days on which the Jews in the provinces (the fourteenth of Adar) and those in Shushan (the fifteenth of Adar) would celebrate their deliverance. The festival's name, Purim, comes from the "pur" or lot that Haman cast to determine the day of destruction.

Linguistic Insights

The month Adar is the twelfth month of the Hebrew civil calendar, typically falling in February-March. The phrase "feasting and gladness" (Hebrew: mishteh v'simchah) emphasizes a profound sense of celebration and relief, a common descriptor for joyous occasions in the Old Testament. This joyous occasion was a direct result of the reversal of Haman's decree, which had originally slated this time for their destruction.

Practical Application

Esther 9:17 reminds us of the importance of remembering and celebrating God's faithfulness in our lives. Just as the Jewish people commemorated their deliverance from Haman's plot, we too are called to acknowledge and rejoice in the times God has intervened on our behalf, transforming our fears into gladness. It encourages us to find joy even after difficult struggles and to collectively celebrate shared victories, fostering community and gratitude. The story of Esther, culminating in such celebrations, serves as a powerful testament to God's enduring care for His people, even when His presence is not overtly declared, as seen in Psalm 46:1.

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Cross-References

  • Esther 9:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.