Esther 9:20

¶ And 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,

And Mordecai {H4782} wrote {H3789} these things {H1697}, and sent {H7971} letters {H5612} unto all the Jews {H3064} that were in all the provinces {H4082} of the king {H4428} Ahasuerus {H325}, both nigh {H7138} and far {H7350},

Mordekhai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far,

Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Xerxes, both near and far,

And 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,

Esther 9:20 marks a pivotal moment after the Jewish people’s deliverance from Haman's wicked plot, detailing Mordecai's initiative to document and disseminate the events across the vast Persian Empire.

Context

This verse immediately follows the triumphant defense of the Jews against their enemies throughout the 127 provinces of King Ahasuerus. "These things" refer to the miraculous deliverance, the decisive victory over those who sought their destruction, and the establishment of a new reality for the Jewish community within the Persian Empire. Mordecai, now holding significant authority as the king's second-in-command, takes the lead in ensuring these momentous events are not forgotten. His actions here lay the crucial groundwork for the annual commemoration of the festival of Purim.

Key Themes

  • Commemoration and Remembrance: Mordecai's act of writing and sending letters is crucial for establishing the festival of Purim, ensuring that future generations would remember God's faithfulness and the Jewish people's profound deliverance. This highlights the enduring importance of recording significant historical and spiritual events.
  • Leadership and Communication: As a prominent leader in the Persian court, Mordecai understood the necessity of widespread communication to unify and inform the Jewish people across the vast empire. His letters served to inform, encourage, and solidify their shared experience of divine salvation.
  • Unity of the Diaspora: By addressing Jews "both nigh and far," the verse underscores the widespread nature of the Jewish diaspora under Persian rule and the concerted effort to foster a sense of collective identity and shared destiny despite geographical dispersion.

Linguistic Insights

The term "letters" (Hebrew: sepharim) refers to official documents or dispatches. In the ancient Persian Empire, royal decrees and other important communications were typically sent via a sophisticated and extensive postal system, ensuring their rapid reach across the vast territories. Mordecai, acting with the implicit authority granted by his high position, utilized this efficient system to disseminate the news and instructions regarding the new annual observance.

Practical Application

  • Remembering Deliverance: Just as the Jews were called to remember their deliverance from Haman's plot, believers today are encouraged to recall God's past faithfulness and interventions in their lives. This practice builds faith and trust for future challenges and reminds us of God's unchanging character.
  • The Power of Story: This verse reminds us of the enduring power of sharing our stories of faith and God's work. Documenting and communicating these testimonies can strengthen communities, inspire others, and preserve spiritual heritage.
  • Unified Purpose: Mordecai's effort to reach all Jews, near and far, speaks to the ongoing importance of unity and shared purpose within a community or faith group, emphasizing that geographical distance does not diminish spiritual connection.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 31:19

    Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it 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

    ¶ Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 124:1

    ¶ A Song of degrees of David. If [it had not been] the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

  • Psalms 124:3

    Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

  • Esther 1:22

    For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that [it] should be published according to the language of every people.

  • Esther 1:1

    ¶ Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this [is] Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, [over] an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

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