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 marks the formal, authoritative establishment of the Feast of Purim, solidifying its observance for future generations. Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, leveraging their significant royal authority, penned a second letter to ensure the widespread and perpetual commemoration of the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's genocidal plot. This act transformed a spontaneous celebration into a divinely ordained and officially sanctioned annual holiday, emphasizing the enduring legacy of God's providential care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial concluding statement to the narrative of Purim's establishment. Chapters 8 and 9 detail the dramatic reversal of fortunes for the Jewish people, moving from a decree of annihilation in [Esther 3](/esther/3 "Esther 3 - Haman's Plot") to a royal decree empowering them to defend themselves. [Esther 9:1-19](/esther/9-1 "Esther 9:1-19 - Jewish Victory and Celebration") describes the successful self-defense and the subsequent celebration that began on the 14th and 15th days of Adar. [Esther 9:20-28](/esther/9-20 "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 additional, supreme authority brought by Queen Esther's involvement, reinforcing and confirming the observance through a "second letter," ensuring its unassailable legitimacy and permanence within the Persian Empire and beyond.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Esther is set in the Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I, 486-465 BC), a period when many Jews remained in the diaspora following the Babylonian exile. The Persian administrative system was highly centralized, with royal decrees carrying immense weight and being irreversible once issued, as seen in [Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - Royal Decrees are Irreversible"). Therefore, for Purim to become a lasting, universally observed holiday, it required official royal sanction. The joint authorship of Esther and Mordecai, both holding positions of immense power in the Persian court—Esther as Queen and Mordecai as the King's second-in-command ([Esther 10:3](/esther/10-3 "Esther 10:3 - Mordecai's Greatness"))—provided this necessary legal and administrative authority. Their involvement ensured that the "second letter" would be widely disseminated and respected throughout the vast empire, solidifying the holiday's place in Jewish tradition.

* **Key Themes:** Esther 9:29 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes of the book. It underscores the theme of **Divine Providence**, as God, though unmentioned directly, orchestrates events through human agents like Esther and Mordecai to deliver His people. The verse also highlights **Jewish Identity and Resilience**, demonstrating the community's determination not only to survive but to commemorate their deliverance, reinforcing their unique heritage in a foreign land. Furthermore, it emphasizes the theme of **Leadership and Authority**, showcasing how Esther and Mordecai, through their strategic use of their positions, 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, _kol-toqef'_):** This phrase, literally "all strength" or "all power," signifies the full legal and executive power vested in Esther and Mordecai. It implies that the letter was not merely a suggestion but a binding decree, carrying the weight of royal sanction. This "authority" was crucial for the widespread and enduring observance of Purim across the vast Persian Empire, ensuring its legitimacy and enforcement.
* **Confirm (Hebrew, _leqayyem'_):** Derived from the root _qum_ (to stand, establish), this word means "to establish," "to uphold," or "to make firm." It indicates that the purpose of this second letter was to solidify, ratify, and give lasting legal force to the observance of Purim. It wasn't enough for the holiday to be celebrated; it needed to be formally and perpetually instituted, ensuring its remembrance "from generation to generation" ([Esther 9:28](/esther/9-28 "Esther 9:28 - Purim to be Remembered Forever")).
* **Purim (Hebrew, _Purim'_):** This name is derived from the Persian word _pur_ (lot), 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 into a perpetual reminder of God's miraculous deliverance and the reversal of evil intentions.

#### 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, and Mordecai, identified by his ethnicity and now prominent position, represent the highest levels of secular and religious authority available to the Jewish people in the diaspora. Their combined "authority" (Hebrew, _kol-toqef'_) 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.
* **"to confirm this second letter of Purim."**: This clause states the explicit purpose of their writing. The phrase "to confirm" (_leqayyem_) 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. 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.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. 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 ability to turn the enemy's schemes against them. The emphasis on "all authority" and the "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.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:29 powerfully illustrates the theme of God's providential care, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned. The actions of Esther and Mordecai, empowered by their positions, 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 importance of remembrance in the life of faith, transforming a historical event into a theological truth to be passed down through generations. It underscores that human leadership, when aligned with God's purposes, can establish lasting legacies that reinforce faith, identity, and hope.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teach Your Children")
* [Psalm 78:4-7](/psalm/78-4 "Psalm 78:4-7 - Telling the Next Generation")
* [Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26 "Exodus 12:26-27 - Remembering the Passover")

### 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, or personal journaling, establishing ways to "confirm" and remember God's past mercies strengthens our faith for future challenges. This verse also highlights the responsibility of those in positions of influence to use their authority for the good of God's people and the advancement of His kingdom, ensuring that truth and righteous practices are upheld and transmitted.

#### 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"?**
* **How can you, in your sphere of influence, use your "authority" (whether formal or informal) to establish or uphold practices that reinforce faith and remembrance for future generations?**
* **In what ways does remembering past instances of God's faithfulness strengthen your trust in His providence for current and future challenges?**

### FAQ

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

Answer: While Mordecai's initial letter ([Esther 9:20-28](/esther/9-20 "Esther 9:20-28 - Mordecai's First Letter")) initiated the observance of Purim, the "second letter" mentioned in [Esther 9:29](/esther/9-29 "Esther 9:29 - Esther and Mordecai Confirm Purim") carried significantly greater weight and authority. Mordecai, though powerful, was a viceroy. Queen Esther, however, held the highest female position in the empire and had direct access to the king. Her joint authorship with Mordecai, writing "with all authority," 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.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 9:29, with its emphasis on the authoritative establishment of a feast of remembrance, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant's institution of the Lord's Supper. Just as Purim commemorates a miraculous deliverance from physical annihilation, the Lord's Supper, instituted by Christ Himself, commands us to remember His ultimate deliverance from spiritual death and the power of sin through His atoning sacrifice. Jesus, with supreme "authority" ([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 sacrament serves as a "second letter," a new covenant decree, confirming the reality of salvation and ensuring its perpetual remembrance until His 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 foreshadows the greater redemption wrought by the true [King of Kings](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings"), Jesus Christ, whose authority transcends all earthly power and whose saving act is the ultimate reason for eternal remembrance and celebration.

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.