Esther 9:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

To stablish {H6965} this among them, that they should keep {H6213} the fourteenth {H702}{H6240} day {H3117} of the month {H2320} Adar {H143}, and the fifteenth {H2568}{H6240} day {H3117} of the same, yearly {H8141}{H8141},

Complete Jewish Bible

instructing them to observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day, every year,

Berean Standard Bible

to establish among them an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar

American Standard Version

to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 9:21 formally establishes the annual observance of the festival of Purim, mandating that the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar be perpetually kept as days of remembrance, feasting, and joyous celebration. This decree solidifies a lasting tradition for the Jewish people, ensuring that the miraculous and providential deliverance from Haman's genocidal plot would be commemorated across generations, serving as an enduring testament to God's unseen hand and the radical reversal of their fortunes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 9:21 is strategically positioned at the culmination of the Book of Esther's dramatic narrative, marking the transition from a spontaneous, localized celebration to a universally mandated, annual festival. The preceding verses ([Esther 9:1-19](/esther/9-1-19 "Esther 9:1-19 - The Jews' Victory and Initial Celebration")) detail the Jewish people's successful self-defense against their enemies on the 13th day of Adar, with those in the capital, Shushan, extending their defense through the 14th. The immediate context, specifically [Esther 9:17-19](/esther/9-17-19 "Esther 9:17-19 - The Origins of Purim Dates"), describes the subsequent days of rest and feasting—the 14th for those in unwalled towns and the 15th for those in Shushan. This verse, alongside [Esther 9:22](/esther/9-22 "Esther 9:22 - Customs of Purim"), formalizes these distinct days of celebration into a permanent, empire-wide custom, initiated by Mordecai and affirmed by Queen Esther, thereby institutionalizing a pivotal moment of divine deliverance into the fabric of Jewish life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of the Book of Esther unfold within the vast Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I, 486-465 BC). The narrative's central conflict revolves around Haman's plot to annihilate all Jews, a plan whose date was determined by casting lots, or _pur_ ([Esther 3:7](/esther/3-7 "Esther 3:7 - Haman casts lots")). The miraculous reversal, orchestrated by God through Esther and Mordecai, saw the Jews empowered to defend themselves. The custom of observing two distinct days for Purim (the 14th and 15th of Adar) directly reflects the historical realities of this defense. Jews residing in unwalled cities concluded their fighting on the 13th and celebrated on the 14th, while those in the fortified capital of Shushan fought an additional day (the 14th) and celebrated on the 15th ([Esther 9:17-18](/esther/9-17-18 "Esther 9:17-18 - Different Purim Observances")). This decree, therefore, meticulously accommodates the varied experiences of the Jewish diaspora across the empire, ensuring a unified yet historically nuanced commemoration.
* **Key Themes:** Esther 9:21 powerfully reinforces several foundational themes woven throughout the Book of Esther. Central to this verse is the theme of **Divine Providence**, which demonstrates God's sovereign, though often unseen, hand at work, meticulously orchestrating events to protect and deliver His people from certain destruction. The establishment of Purim is a perpetual, tangible reminder of this hidden divine intervention, transforming a decree of death into a joyous celebration, a profound **Reversal of Fortune** that echoes the Lord's redemptive power seen in passages like [Psalm 30:11](/psalms/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - Turning Mourning into Dancing"). Furthermore, the verse underscores the critical importance of **Remembrance** and **Historical Memory**, ensuring that future generations would never forget God's faithfulness and their unique identity as His chosen people. Finally, the communal nature of the festival, with its emphasis on feasting, sending gifts to one another, and giving to the poor ([Esther 9:22](/esther/9-22 "Esther 9:22 - Customs of Purim")), highlights the themes of **Community, Unity, and Solidarity** among the Jewish people, fostering a shared identity rooted in their collective experience of threat and salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stablish (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** This verb (H6965), meaning "to rise," "to raise up," or "to establish," signifies the authoritative and formal act of setting something firmly and permanently in place. In the context of Esther 9:21, it denotes the legal and communal ratification of the Purim observance, moving it from a spontaneous, local celebration to an enduring, mandated tradition universally accepted and practiced by the Jewish people. It conveys the idea of confirming and making sure the observance will continue.
* **Adar (Hebrew, _ʼĂdâr'_):** This proper noun (H143) refers to the twelfth month of the Hebrew civil calendar, roughly corresponding to February-March in the Gregorian calendar. The precise naming of the month and the specific days (14th and 15th) underscores the historical accuracy and grounding of the decree, anchoring the festival to the exact time of the miraculous deliverance. Its foreign derivation suggests its adoption within the Persian context.
* **yearly (Hebrew, _shâneh'_):** This word (H8141), often appearing as "year by year" or "annually," emphasizes the perpetual and recurring nature of the Purim observance. Its inclusion ensures that the celebration is not a one-time event but a generational command, designed to embed the memory of God's providential deliverance into the very rhythm and fabric of Jewish life for all time. It signifies a continuous, cyclical commemoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To stablish [this] among them":** This opening phrase articulates the overarching purpose of the decree. The "this" refers to the specific celebration of the 14th and 15th days of Adar. It signifies a formal, authoritative act of institutionalizing the observance within the entire Jewish community, transforming it from an initial outpouring of joy into a permanent, binding tradition. This implies a collective agreement and commitment to uphold this new and vital custom across the diaspora.
* **"that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar":** This clause specifies the first of the two designated days for the Purim festival. This particular day was primarily observed by Jews residing in unwalled cities, who had concluded their defensive actions on the 13th of Adar and subsequently rested and feasted on the 14th. The injunction "should keep" (or "observe") conveys a solemn duty and a communal commitment to remember, honor, and celebrate God's extraordinary intervention.
* **"and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly":** This clause designates the second day of the festival, primarily observed by Jews in the fortified capital of Shushan, who had fought for an additional day (the 14th) and rested on the 15th. The explicit addition of "yearly" underscores the perpetual and enduring nature of the decree, ensuring that this momentous deliverance would be commemorated not merely once, but annually, for all generations to come, thereby embedding the memory of God's faithfulness into the ongoing rhythm of their lives.

#### Literary Devices
Esther 9:21 skillfully employs several significant literary devices to convey its message and establish its authority. The most prominent device is **Decree/Edict**, as the verse functions as a formal, authoritative pronouncement that establishes a new law or custom. This reflects the administrative and legal framework of the Persian Empire, where royal decrees held immense power, now mirrored in a communal, divinely inspired mandate. There is also a strong element of **Repetition** in the explicit mention of "the fourteenth day... and the fifteenth day... yearly," which serves to underscore the precise dates and the perpetual nature of the observance, reinforcing its importance and ensuring its consistent practice across time. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Commemorative Literature**, transforming a pivotal historical event—the deliverance from genocide—into a mandated annual ritual. This ensures the story's transmission, the preservation of historical memory, and the enduring lessons learned from God's providential care are passed down through generations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:21, in formally establishing the festival of Purim, profoundly connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned within the book itself. It powerfully illustrates the principle of God's hidden providence, where He sovereignly works through ordinary individuals and seemingly coincidental events to bring about His divine will and deliver His chosen ones from destruction. The annual festival serves as a tangible and perpetual reminder that even in exile, under foreign rule, and facing existential threats, God remains the ultimate protector and sustainer of Israel. It underscores the ongoing biblical imperative for God's people to remember His mighty acts of salvation and to transmit these sacred stories to future generations, thereby fostering a corporate identity deeply rooted in divine deliverance and gratitude.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teaching God's Commands to Children")
* [Psalm 78:4-7](/psalms/78-4-7 "Psalm 78:4-7 - Recounting God's Deeds to Generations")
* [Isaiah 25:8](/isaiah/25-8 "Isaiah 25:8 - God Swallows Up Death Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 9:21 calls us to cultivate a profound posture of remembrance and celebration in our own spiritual lives. Just as the Jewish people were commanded to annually recall God's miraculous deliverance, believers today are invited to intentionally remember and celebrate God's faithfulness in their personal histories and in the grand, unfolding narrative of salvation. This involves not only recalling past victories and providential interventions but also actively acknowledging His sovereign hand in present circumstances, fostering a deep and abiding sense of gratitude, trust, and hope. The establishment of Purim also powerfully underscores the importance of communal celebration and the vital passing on of faith. We are called to share the stories of God's redemptive work, particularly the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ, with our families, our communities, and future generations, ensuring that the transformative lessons of His power, love, and faithfulness endure. This verse reminds us that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable threats and despair, God possesses the power to radically turn sorrow into joy, and mourning into dancing, offering profound and enduring hope for every challenge we encounter.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific acts of God's faithfulness in your own life or in the history of the church are you called to remember and celebrate more intentionally and regularly?**
* **How can you more effectively share the stories of God's deliverance and provision with the next generation in your family, church, or community, fostering their faith?**
* **In what areas of your life do you currently need to trust God for a "reversal of fortune," believing that He can turn your present mourning or despair into joy and triumph?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the two days (14th and 15th of Adar) for Purim?**

Answer: The observance of two distinct days for Purim (the 14th and 15th of Adar) is deeply rooted in the historical events of the Jewish people's defense against their enemies throughout the Persian Empire. According to [Esther 9:17](/esther/9-17 "Esther 9:17 - Purim in Unwalled Cities"), Jews residing in unwalled towns completed their fighting on the 13th of Adar and subsequently rested and feasted on the 14th. However, in the fortified capital of Shushan, the conflict extended through the 14th of Adar, meaning the Jews there rested and feasted on the 15th ([Esther 9:18](/esther/9-18 "Esther 9:18 - Purim in Shushan")). The decree in [Esther 9:21](/esther/9-21 "Esther 9:21 - Establishment of Purim") formally established both days to accommodate these differing experiences across the Jewish diaspora, ensuring that all Jews, regardless of their geographical location or the specific timing of their deliverance, could collectively commemorate God's miraculous intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Esther 9:21 establishes a festival rooted in a specific Old Covenant deliverance, its underlying themes find profound and ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. The radical reversal of fortune, from a decree of death to a day of feasting and joy, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate reversal accomplished by Jesus Christ. Humanity, under a universal death sentence due to sin ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")), found deliverance not through human might or political maneuvering, but through the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Just as Haman's gallows, intended for Mordecai, became his own instrument of death, so too the cross, intended as an instrument of shame and death for Christ, became the very means of our salvation and triumphant victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14-15 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The annual remembrance of Purim, with its focus on God's hidden hand of providence, points to the eternal remembrance of Christ's finished work, which ushers in a perpetual feast of joy and fellowship for all who believe, culminating in the [marriage supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"). Through Christ, the hidden providence of God is fully revealed, demonstrating His sovereign plan to redeem humanity and establish an everlasting kingdom of light and life.

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.