Esther 9:28

And [that] these days [should be] remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and [that] these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

And that these days {H3117} should be remembered {H2142} and kept {H6213} throughout {H1755} every generation {H1755}, every family {H4940}, every province {H4082}, and every city {H5892}; and that these days {H3117} of Purim {H6332} should not fail {H5674} from among {H8432} the Jews {H3064}, nor the memorial {H2143} of them perish {H5486} from their seed {H2233}.

and that these days would be remembered and observed throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and that these days of Purim would never cease among the Jews or their memory be lost by their descendants.

These days should be remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, nor should the memory of them fade from their descendants.

and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the remembrance of them perish from their seed.

Esther 9:28 commands the perpetual observance of the Jewish festival of Purim, ensuring that the incredible deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's genocidal plot would never be forgotten. This verse solidifies the tradition, emphasizing its importance for all future generations, families, provinces, and cities.

Context

This verse concludes the narrative surrounding the establishment of Purim, a pivotal moment in Jewish history. After the Jewish people successfully defended themselves against their enemies, empowered by the decrees of Queen Esther and Mordecai (as detailed in Esther 9:1), they instituted an annual celebration. The preceding verses, particularly Esther 9:26-27, explain how Mordecai sent letters establishing these days as a memorial. Verse 28 serves as a powerful injunction, ensuring the longevity and universality of this new tradition throughout the Persian Empire and beyond.

Key Themes

  • Perpetual Remembrance: The core message is the imperative to "remember and keep" these days. This highlights the vital role of collective memory in preserving a people's identity, history, and faith. It's not just about recalling an event, but actively observing it through celebration and tradition.
  • Universal Observance: The repetition "every generation, every family, every province, and every city" underscores the widespread and mandatory nature of Purim's observance. It was designed to be a unifying festival for Jews scattered across the vast Persian Empire, transcending geographical and familial boundaries.
  • Divine Providence: While the name of God is famously absent from the book of Esther, His guiding hand is undeniably present in orchestrating the events that led to the Jews' deliverance. Purim serves as a living testament to His hidden yet active preservation of His people, turning a decree of destruction into a day of joy and victory.

Linguistic Insights

The name of the festival, "Purim," comes from the Hebrew word pur (פּוּר), meaning "lot" or "dice." As recorded in Esther 3:7, Haman cast lots to determine the most "auspicious" day to execute his plot against the Jews. Ironically, the very method intended to seal their doom became the namesake of their greatest celebration of deliverance, highlighting God's ability to turn evil intentions for good.

Practical Application

Esther 9:28 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • The Importance of Remembering God's Faithfulness: Just as the Jews were commanded to remember their deliverance, we are called to recall God's past mercies and interventions in our lives and in history. This strengthens our faith in times of trial and reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, even when His presence feels hidden.
  • Passing on Spiritual Heritage: The verse emphasizes teaching future generations. This calls us to actively share our faith, biblical truths, and personal testimonies of God's goodness with our children and those who come after us. This ensures that the "memorial of them perish not from their seed," echoing the call in Deuteronomy 4:9 to diligently teach God's deeds to children.
  • Celebrating Deliverance: Purim is a joyous celebration of overcoming adversity. Similarly, believers should find ways to celebrate God's victories in their lives, acknowledging His power and sovereignty even in seemingly impossible situations. It's a reminder that joy can follow sorrow, and deliverance can come even from the brink of despair.
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.

  • Joshua 4:7

    Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.

  • Exodus 13:8

    And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, [This is done] because of that [which] the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

  • Exodus 13:9

    And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

  • Psalms 78:5

    For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

  • Psalms 78:7

    That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

  • Psalms 103:2

    Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

  • Exodus 12:17

    And ye shall observe [the feast of] unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

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