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Commentary on Esther 9 verses 20–32
We may well imagine how much affected Mordecai and Esther were with the triumphs of the Jews over their enemies, and how they saw the issue of that decisive day with a satisfaction proportionable to the care and concern with which they expected it. How were their hearts enlarged with joy in God and his salvation, and what new songs of praise were put into their mouths! But here we are told what course they took to spread the knowledge of it among their people, and to perpetuate the remembrance of it to posterity, for the honour of God and the encouragement of his people to trust in him at all times.
I. The history was written, and copies of it were dispersed among all the Jews in all the provinces of the empire, both nigh and far, Est 9:20. They all knew something of the story, being nearly concerned in it - were by the first edict made sensible of their danger and by the second of their deliverance; but how this amazing turn was given they could not tell. Mordecai therefore wrote all these things. And if this book be the same that he wrote, as many think it is, I cannot but observe what a difference there is between Mordecai's style and Nehemiah's. Nehemiah, at every turn, takes notice of divine Providence and the good hand of his God upon him, which is very proper to stir up devout affections in the minds of his readers; but Mordecai never so much as mentions the name of God in the whole story. Nehemiah wrote his book at Jerusalem, where religion was in fashion and an air of it appeared in men's common conversation; Mordecai wrote his at Shushan the palace, where policy reigned more then piety, and he wrote according to the genius of the place. Even those that have the root of the matter in them are apt to lose the savour of religion, and let their leaf wither, when they converse wholly with those that have little religion. Commend me to Nehemiah's way of writing; that I would imitate, and yet learn from Mordecai's that men may be truly devout though they do not abound in the shows and expressions of devotion, and therefore that we must not judge nor despise our brethren. But, because there is so little of the language of Canaan in this book, many think it was not written by Mordecai, but was an extract out of the journals of the kings of Persia, giving an account of the matter of fact, which the Jews themselves knew how to comment upon.
II. A festival was instituted, to be observed yearly from generation to generation by the Jews, in remembrance of this wonderful work which God wrought for them, that the children who should be born might know it, and declare it to their children, that they might set their hope in God, Psa 78:6, Psa 78:7. It would be for the honour of God as the protector of his people, and the honour of Israel as the care of Heaven, a confirmation of the fidelity of God's covenant, an invitation to strangers to come into the bonds of it, and an encouragement to God's own people cheerfully to depend upon his wisdom, power, and goodness, in the greatest straits. Posterity would reap the benefit of this deliverance, and therefore ought to celebrate the memorial of it. Now concerning this festival we are here told,
1.When it was observed - every year on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the twelfth month, just a month before the passover, Est 9:21. Thus the first month and the last month of the year kept in remembrance the months that were past, even the days when God preserved them. They kept two days together as thanksgiving days, and did not think them too much to spend in praising God. Let us not be niggardly in our returns of praise to him who bestows his favours so liberally upon us. Observe, They did not keep the day when they fought, but the days when they rested, and on the fifteenth those in Shushan, and both those days they kept. The sabbath was appointed not on the day that God finished his work, but on the day that he rested from it. The modern Jews observe the thirteenth day, the day appointed for their destruction, as a fasting-day, grounding the practice on Est 9:31, the matters of their fastings and cry. But that refers to what was in the day of their distress (Est 4:3, Est 4:16), which was not to be continued when God had turned their fasts into joy and gladness, Zac 8:19.
2.How it was called - The feast of Purim (Est 9:26), from Pur, a Persian word which signified a lot, because Haman had by lot determined this to be the time of the Jews' destruction, but the Lord, at whose disposal the lot is, had determined it to be the time of their triumph. The name of this festival would remind them of the sovereign dominion of the God of Israel, who served his own purposes by the foolish superstitions of the heathen, and outwitted the monthly prognosticators in their own craft (Isa 47:13), frustrating the tokens of the liars and making the diviners mad, Isa 44:25, Isa 44:26.
3.By whom it was instituted and enacted. It was not a divine institution, and therefore it is not called a holy day, but a human appointment, by which it was made a good day, Est 9:19, Est 9:22. (1.) The Jews ordained it, and took it upon themselves (Est 9:27), voluntarily undertook to do as they had begun. Est 9:23. They bound themselves to this by common consent. (2.) Mordecai and Esther confirmed their resolve, that it might be the more binding on posterity, and might come well recommended by those great names. They wrote, [1.] With all authority (Est 9:29), as well they might, Esther being queen and Mordecai prime-minister of state. It is well when those who are in authority use their authority to authorize that which is good. [2.] With words of peace and truth. Though they wrote with authority, they wrote with tenderness, not imperious, not imposing, but in such language as the council at Jerusalem use in their decree (Act 15:29): "If you do so and so, you shall do well. Fare you well." Such was the style of these letters, or such the salutation or valediction of them: Peace and truth be with you.
4.By whom it was to be observed - by all the Jews, and by their seed, and by all such as joined themselves to them, Est 9:27. The observance of this feast was to be both universal and perpetual; the proselytes must observe it, in token of their sincere affection to the Jewish nation and their having united interests with them. A concurrence in joys and praises is one branch of the communion of saints.
5.Why it was to be observed - that the memorial of the great things God had done for his church might never perish from their seed, Est 9:28. God does not work wonders for a day, but to be had in everlasting remembrance. What he does shall be for ever, and therefore should for ever be had in mind, Ecc 3:14. In this affair they would remember, (1.) Haman's bad practices against the church, to his perpetual reproach (Est 9:24): Because he had devised against the Jews to destroy them. Let this be kept in mind, that God's people may never be secure, while they have such malicious enemies, on whom they ought to have a jealous eye. Their enemies aim at no less then their destruction; on God therefore let them depend for salvation. (2.) Esther's good services to the church, to her immortal honour. When Esther, in peril of her life, came before the king, he repealed the edict, Est 9:25. This also must be remembered, that wherever this feast should be kept, and this history read in explication of it, this which she did might be told for a memorial of her. Good deeds done for the Israel of God ought to be remembered, for the encouragement of others to do the like. God will not forget them, and therefore we must not. (3.) Their own prayers, and the answers given to them (Est 9:31): The matters of their fastings and their cry. The more cries we have offered up in our trouble, and the more prayers for deliverance, the more we are obliged to be thankful to God for deliverance. Call upon me in the time of trouble, and then offer to God thanksgiving.
6.How it was to be observed. And of this let us see,
(1.)What was here enjoined, which was very good, that they should make it, [1.] A day of cheerfulness, a day of feasting and joy (Est 9:22), and a feast was made for laughter, Ecc 10:19. When God gives us cause to rejoice why should we not express our joy? [2.] A day of generosity, sending portions one to another, in token of their pleasantness and mutual respect, and their being knit by this and other public common dangers and deliverances so much the closer to each other in love. Friends have their goods in common. [3.] A day of charity, sending gifts to the poor. It is not to our kinsmen and rich neighbours only that we are to send tokens, but to the poor and the maimed, Luk 14:12, Luk 14:13. Those that have received mercy must, in token of their gratitude, show mercy; and there never wants occasion, for the poor we have always with us. Thanksgiving and almsgiving should go together, that, when we are rejoicing and blessing God, the heart of the poor may rejoice with us and their loins may bless us.
(2.)What was added to this, which was much better. They always, at the feast, read the whole story over in the synagogue each day, and put up three prayers to God, in the first of which they praise God for counting them worthy to attend this divine service; in the second they thank him for the miraculous preservation of their ancestors; in the third they praise him that they have lived to observe another festival in memory of it. So bishop Patrick.
(3.)What it has since degenerated to, which is much worse. Their own writers acknowledge that this feast is commonly celebrated among them with gluttony, and drunkenness, and excess of riot. Their Talmud says expressly that, in the feast of Purim, a man should drink till he knows not the difference between Cursed be Haman, and Blessed be Mordecai. See what the corrupt and wicked nature of man often brings that to which was at first well intended: here is a religious feast turned into a carnival, a perfect revel, as wakes are among us. Nothing more purifies the heart and adorns religion than holy joy; nothing more pollutes the heart and reproaches religion than carnal mirth and sensual pleasure. Corruptio optimi est pessima - What is best becomes when corrupted the worst.
Very often people’s evil schemes turn out differently than they had hoped and the trap they had placed to capture others ensnares them, as the Scripture confirms, “The wicked are ensnared in their traps. And whoever digs a pit will fall into it.” Therefore also Haman, who prefigures the enemies of the church, was obligated to suffer the death that he had prepared for Mordecai. The lot cast into the urn represents the machinations of the human mind; but the result of such machinations entirely depends on divine judgment. Therefore it is said through Solomon, “The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is the Lord’s alone.”
For wicked men often find that their desires are fulfilled in ways they had not expected to happen; and they are caught in the same traps they set to ensnare others, as the Scripture shows when it says: “The wicked are caught in their traps; and whoever digs a pit falls into it” (Proverbs 26). Hence Haman, who prefigures the enemies of the Church, was likewise forced to suffer the death he had planned for Mordecai. For the lot cast into an urn symbolizes the disposition of each and every thing in the mind of man, whose outcomes depend even so upon the judgment of God. Hence we are told by Solomon: “Lots are cast in the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord. For his way is not in the power of man; rather it belongs not to one who wills, or one who runs, but to God who grants mercy. For all things obey at his nod, and he does whatever he wishes in Heaven and on earth, on the sea and in all the depths” (Proverbs 16).
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SUMMARY
Esther 9:24 serves as a potent retrospective on the malevolent plot conceived by Haman, the Agagite, whose deep-seated, ancestral animosity toward the Jewish people fueled his genocidal ambition "to destroy them." This verse precisely identifies the casting of "Pur," or lots, as the method Haman employed to determine the most "opportune" day for their annihilation. It thus establishes the foundational historical event and the specific instrument of Haman's intended genocide, providing the crucial context for the subsequent miraculous deliverance of the Jews and the institution of the annual festival of Purim, which commemorates this pivotal reversal of fortune.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Esther 9:24 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. Retrospection is central, as the verse looks back from the time of Purim's institution to the original, defining moment of Haman's plot, providing the foundational rationale for the festival. This retrospective summary brings clarity and justification to the events of Esther 9. Irony is powerfully present in the use of "Pur." The very "lot" cast by Haman to determine the day of the Jews' destruction becomes the namesake of their celebration of deliverance, a permanent reminder of God's ability to turn evil intentions on their head. The word itself, intended as a tool of destruction, is transformed into a symbol of salvation. Furthermore, Repetition is used for emphasis, particularly in the phrases "to destroy them" and "to consume them, and to destroy them." This reiteration underscores the absolute and comprehensive nature of Haman's genocidal intent, highlighting the terrifying scope of the threat and magnifying the miraculous nature of the Jews' survival.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:24, though notably devoid of any explicit mention of God's name, profoundly illustrates the biblical theme of divine providence and sovereignty, particularly in the face of human evil. Haman's meticulously "devised" plot and his reliance on the "lot" to determine the most "auspicious" day for genocide demonstrate the depth of human malice and the illusion of human control. Yet, the entire narrative of Esther reveals how God orchestrates seemingly random events, human decisions, and even the schemes of the wicked to accomplish His purposes and protect His covenant people. This verse, by recalling the origin of the threat, implicitly magnifies the unseen hand of God that turned mourning into dancing and the gallows prepared for Mordecai into Haman's own demise. It reminds us that even when God's presence seems hidden or His name unuttered, His plan remains actively at work and unthwarted, ensuring the survival of His people and the defeat of His enemies.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 9:24 calls us to reflect deeply on the insidious nature of evil and the enduring, unwavering faithfulness of God. Haman's plot was not merely an act of personal vengeance but a systematic, genocidal scheme born of deep-seated hatred, mirroring the spiritual warfare that continues against God's people throughout history. This verse reminds us that evil often operates with calculated precision, seeking to "destroy" and "consume" lives, communities, and faith. Yet, it also serves as a powerful testament to the truth that God is sovereign over even the darkest human intentions and the most seemingly random events. For believers, this means we can trust in God's unseen hand, even when circumstances appear dire or when His presence feels distant. It challenges us to be vigilant against hatred, injustice, and spiritual apathy in our world, and to remember that God can reverse the most dire outcomes, turning defeat into victory and despair into joyous celebration. The annual remembrance of Purim, rooted in this verse, encourages us to celebrate God's deliverances in our own lives and to never forget His power to protect and preserve His people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "Pur" in this verse?
Answer: The word "Pur" (פּוּר) is a Persian loanword meaning "lot" or "chance." Its significance in Esther 9:24 is twofold. First, it identifies the specific method Haman used to determine the "auspicious" day for the extermination of the Jews, highlighting his reliance on pagan divination and his belief in controlling fate. Second, and more profoundly, it becomes the namesake for the festival of Purim. This is a powerful instance of divine irony: the very tool intended to seal the Jews' destruction became the linguistic root of their celebration of deliverance. It underscores the biblical truth that while humans may cast lots, "its every decision is from the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33), demonstrating God's sovereignty over seemingly random events and evil intentions, ultimately turning them for His purposes.
Why is Haman called "the Agagite"?
Answer: Haman's designation as "the Agagite" is highly significant, connecting him to a long-standing, divinely ordained conflict between Israel and the Amalekites. Agag was the king of the Amalekites, whom King Saul was commanded by God to utterly destroy, but failed to do so completely (1 Samuel 15:8-9). The Amalekites were the first nation to attack Israel after their exodus from Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16), and God had sworn to "utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven" (Exodus 17:14). By identifying Haman as an Agagite, the text portrays his genocidal plot not merely as personal malice but as the continuation of an ancient, deep-seated, and spiritual animosity against God's covenant people, reinforcing the theme of divine protection over Israel against its perennial enemies.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 9:24, with its depiction of a malevolent enemy "devised... to destroy" God's people, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. Haman's plot, driven by ancient hatred and a desire for total annihilation, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual enemy, Satan, who from the beginning has sought to "steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10) humanity, God's image-bearers. Just as Haman cast lots for destruction, only to see his meticulously laid plans utterly reversed and turned against him, so too did the powers of darkness believe they had triumphed at the cross. Yet, the crucifixion, seemingly a victory for evil, was God's ultimate "devise" for salvation, turning the instrument of death into the means of eternal life. Christ, the true King and ultimate deliverer, entered the human condition to deliver His people from their ultimate enemies: sin, death, and the devil. He is the ultimate Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!, whose sacrifice utterly disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). The deliverance of Purim, secured through human courage and divine providence, points forward to the definitive and eternal deliverance accomplished by Christ, who, by His death, destroyed "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14-15), ensuring that no plot, no matter how "devised," can ultimately thwart God's redemptive plan for His people.