Esther 9:29

KJV

Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Esther {H635} the queen {H4436}, the daughter {H1323} of Abihail {H32}, and Mordecai {H4782} the Jew {H3064}, wrote {H3789} with all authority {H8633}, to confirm {H6965} this second {H8145} letter {H107} of Purim {H6332}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Ester the queen, the daughter of Avichayil, and Mordekhai the Jew, gave full written authority to confirm a second letter about Purim.

Berean Standard Bible

So Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim.

American Standard Version

Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 9:29 formally and authoritatively establishes the annual observance of the Feast of Purim. Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wielding their immense royal authority, penned a definitive "second letter" to ensure the widespread, perpetual, and legally binding commemoration of the Jewish people's miraculous deliverance from Haman's genocidal plot. This pivotal act transformed a spontaneous celebration of survival into a divinely sanctioned and officially ratified annual holiday, cementing the enduring legacy of God's providential care and the resilience of His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the narrative culmination and legal ratification for the establishment of the Feast of Purim. The preceding chapters detail the dramatic reversal of fortune for the Jewish people, from a royal decree of annihilation in [Esther 3](/esther/3 "Esther 3 - Haman's Plot") to a counter-decree empowering them to defend themselves. [Esther 9:1-19](/esther/9-1-19 "Esther 9:1-19 - Jewish Victory and Celebration") describes the successful self-defense and the subsequent celebration on the 14th and 15th days of Adar. [Esther 9:20-28](/esther/9-20-28 "Esther 9:20-28 - Mordecai's First Letter for Purim") recounts Mordecai's initial letter, which instructed all Jews to observe these days annually. Verse 29 then highlights the supreme authority brought by Queen Esther's direct involvement, reinforcing and confirming the observance through a "second letter." This final act ensures the unassailable legitimacy and permanence of Purim within the vast Persian Empire and for all future generations of Jews, solidifying it as an enduring tradition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Esther is set within the sprawling Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus (widely identified as Xerxes I, 486-465 BC), a period when a significant Jewish diaspora remained outside of Judah following the Babylonian exile. The Persian administrative system was renowned for its centralized power and the irreversible nature of royal decrees, as famously stated in [Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - Royal Decrees are Irreversible"). For Purim to become a lasting, universally observed holiday, it required the highest possible official sanction. The joint authorship of this "second letter" by Queen Esther and Mordecai, who held the king's signet ring and was second only to the king himself ([Esther 10:3](/esther/10-3 "Esther 10:3 - Mordecai's Greatness")), provided this indispensable legal and administrative authority. Their combined influence ensured that the decree would be widely disseminated, respected, and perpetually enforced throughout the empire, embedding the holiday firmly within Jewish tradition.
* **Key Themes:** Esther 9:29 profoundly encapsulates several overarching themes central to the book. It underscores the theme of **Divine Providence**, demonstrating how God, though never explicitly named, orchestrates events through human agents like Esther and Mordecai to deliver His people from annihilation. The verse also powerfully highlights **Jewish Identity and Resilience**, showcasing the community's unwavering determination not only to survive but to ritually commemorate their deliverance, thereby reinforcing their unique heritage and faith in a foreign land. Furthermore, it emphasizes the theme of **Leadership and Authority**, illustrating how Esther and Mordecai strategically leveraged their positions of immense power to ensure the perpetuation of a vital religious and cultural observance. Their actions transform a moment of crisis and triumph into an enduring tradition, securing the memory of God's faithfulness for future generations, as seen in the command to remember these days "from generation to generation" in [Esther 9:28](/esther/9-28 "Esther 9:28 - Purim to be Remembered Forever").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Authority (Hebrew, _tôqeph'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to be strong" or "to seize," _tôqeph_ signifies inherent might, power, and positiveness. In this context, "all authority" (_kol-tôqeph_) denotes the full legal and executive power vested in Queen Esther and Mordecai. It indicates that their letter was not merely a suggestion or a request but a binding, unchallengeable royal decree, carrying the full weight of the Persian imperial court. This absolute authority was essential for the widespread and enduring observance of Purim across the vast empire, ensuring its legitimacy and enforcement.
* **Confirm (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** This primitive root means "to rise," "to stand," or "to establish." In its causative form, as used here (the infinitive _leqayyem_), it means "to establish," "to uphold," "to make firm," or "to ratify." The purpose of this second letter was to solidify, ratify, and give lasting legal force to the observance of Purim. It signifies that the holiday was not to be a fleeting celebration but a perpetually instituted tradition, ensuring its remembrance and practice "from generation to generation" ([Esther 9:28](/esther/9-28 "Esther 9:28 - Purim to be Remembered Forever")).
* **Purim (Hebrew, _Pûwr'_):** This name, meaning "lot," is derived from the Persian word _pur_, referring to the lots Haman cast to determine the most auspicious day for the destruction of the Jews ([Esther 3:7](/esther/3-7 "Esther 3:7 - Haman Casts Lots")). The naming of the feast after Haman's "lot" is a profound act of **irony**, transforming a symbol of planned destruction and evil intent into a perpetual reminder of God's miraculous deliverance and the complete reversal of the enemy's schemes. It serves as a testament to God's sovereignty over even seemingly random events.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority,"**: This clause establishes the joint authorship and the immense power behind the letter. Esther, identified by her royal title and lineage ("the queen, the daughter of Abihail"), and Mordecai, identified by his ethnicity ("the Jew") and now prominent position as the king's second-in-command, represent the highest levels of secular and religious authority available to the Jewish people in the diaspora. Their combined "authority" (Hebrew, _kol-tôqeph'_) signifies that the decree was not merely a suggestion but a binding, unchallengeable royal edict, ensuring its widespread acceptance and implementation across the vast Persian Empire. Their collaboration underscores the unity of purpose in securing the future of their people.
* **"to confirm this second letter of Purim."**: This clause explicitly states the purpose of their writing. The phrase "to confirm" (_leqayyem_, from the root _qûwm_) emphasizes the intent to establish, ratify, and make permanent the observance of Purim. This was not the first letter concerning Purim (Mordecai had sent one previously in [Esther 9:20](/esther/9-20 "Esther 9:20 - Mordecai's First Letter")), but this "second letter" carried the ultimate royal seal of approval, ensuring its enduring legacy and unassailable legal standing. The naming of the holiday as "Purim" itself, derived from Haman's "lot," serves as a perpetual, ironic memorial to God's reversal of the enemy's plans, transforming a symbol of intended destruction into one of miraculous salvation.

#### Literary Devices
Esther 9:29 employs several significant literary devices to underscore its importance. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the very name of the holiday, "Purim," is derived from the "lot" (_pur_) Haman cast to determine the day of the Jews' destruction ([Esther 3:7](/esther/3-7 "Esther 3:7 - Haman Casts Lots")). This transforms a symbol of intended evil into a perpetual commemoration of divine deliverance, highlighting God's sovereign ability to turn the enemy's schemes against them. The emphasis on "all authority" and the designation of this as a "second letter" also functions as **Emphasis** and **Climax**, underscoring the finality and absolute legitimacy of the Purim decree. The narrative builds to this point, where the highest human powers (Esther and Mordecai) formally solidify the divine deliverance into an enduring tradition, making this verse a **Narrative Climax** for the establishment of the holiday. Furthermore, the collaborative act of "writing" by Esther and Mordecai serves as a powerful instance of **Synergy**, demonstrating how combined leadership and authority can achieve monumental and lasting outcomes for God's people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:29 powerfully illustrates the theme of God's providential care, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned in the book. The decisive actions of Esther and Mordecai, empowered by their positions within the Persian court, serve as instruments of divine will, ensuring that a miraculous deliverance is not forgotten but enshrined as a perpetual reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. This act of "confirming" the holiday speaks to the profound theological importance of remembrance in the life of faith, transforming a historical event into a foundational truth to be passed down through generations. It underscores that human leadership, when aligned with God's overarching purposes, can establish lasting legacies that reinforce faith, identity, and hope, demonstrating how God works through human agency to accomplish His redemptive plan.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6-7 "Descriptive Title")
* [Psalm 78:4-7](/psalm/78-4-7 "Descriptive Title")
* [Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26-27 "Descriptive Title")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 9:29 challenges believers to consider the enduring significance of God's interventions in their lives and in the life of the community of faith. Just as Esther and Mordecai ensured the perpetual remembrance of Purim, we are called to intentionally commemorate and pass on the stories of God's faithfulness. This involves not only personal reflection but also communal practices that solidify our identity and hope in Him. Whether it's through family traditions, church holidays, personal journaling, or sharing testimonies, establishing consistent ways to "confirm" and remember God's past mercies strengthens our faith for future challenges and builds a legacy of trust for those who come after us. This verse also highlights the profound responsibility of those in positions of influence—whether formal or informal—to use their "authority" and resources for the good of God's people and the advancement of His kingdom, ensuring that truth, righteous practices, and the memory of His saving acts are upheld and transmitted across generations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What significant moments of God's deliverance or blessing in your life, or in the life of your community, deserve intentional commemoration and "confirmation" to ensure they are not forgotten?**
* **How can you, in your sphere of influence, use your "authority" (whether formal, relational, or spiritual) to establish or uphold practices that reinforce faith and remembrance for future generations?**
* **In what specific ways does remembering past instances of God's faithfulness strengthen your trust in His providence for current and future challenges in your life?**

### FAQ

**Why was a "second letter" necessary after Mordecai had already sent one?**

Answer: While Mordecai's initial letter, described in [Esther 9:20-28](/esther/9-20-28 "Esther 9:20-28 - Mordecai's First Letter for Purim"), initiated the observance of Purim and established the general practice, the "second letter" mentioned in [Esther 9:29](/esther/9-29 "Esther 9:29 - Esther and Mordecai Confirm Purim") carried significantly greater weight and ultimate authority. Mordecai, though powerful as the king's viceroy, was still a subject. Queen Esther, however, held the highest female position in the empire and possessed direct, intimate access to the king. Her joint authorship with Mordecai, writing "with all authority" (Hebrew: _kol-tôqeph'_, signifying absolute power), elevated the decree to the highest possible legal and royal sanction. This ensured its universal acceptance, enforcement, and perpetual observance across the vast Persian Empire, leaving no doubt as to its legitimacy and importance for all future generations. It transformed a widely accepted custom into an officially ratified and unchallengeable royal decree, securing its place in Jewish tradition for millennia.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 9:29, with its emphasis on the authoritative establishment of a feast of remembrance, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant's institution of the Lord's Supper. Just as Purim commemorates a miraculous deliverance from physical annihilation and the reversal of a death decree, the Lord's Supper, instituted by Christ Himself, commands believers to remember His ultimate deliverance from spiritual death and the power of sin through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Jesus, possessing all "authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), commanded His disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me" ([Luke 22:19](/luke/22-19 "Luke 22:19 - Do This in Remembrance of Me")). This sacred sacrament serves as a "second letter," a new covenant decree, confirming the reality of salvation and ensuring its perpetual remembrance and proclamation until His glorious return ([1 Corinthians 11:26](/1_corinthians/11-26 "1 Corinthians 11:26 - Proclaim the Lord's Death Until He Comes")). The deliverance in Esther, though significant, foreshadows the infinitely greater redemption wrought by the true [King of Kings and Lord of Lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"), Jesus Christ, whose authority transcends all earthly power and whose saving act is the ultimate reason for eternal remembrance, celebration, and worship.

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.

Cross-References

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,

Esther 2:15

Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

Esther 8:10

And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed [it] with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, [and] riders on mules, camels, [and] young dromedaries:

Esther 3:15

The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.