Esther 9:30

KJV

And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, [with] words of peace and truth,

KJV (with Strong's)

And he sent {H7971} the letters {H5612} unto all the Jews {H3064}, to the hundred {H3967} twenty {H6242} and seven {H7651} provinces {H4082} of the kingdom {H4438} of Ahasuerus {H325}, with words {H1697} of peace {H7965} and truth {H571},

Complete Jewish Bible

He sent copies of it to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Achashverosh, ensuring their peace and security

Berean Standard Bible

And Mordecai sent letters with words of peace and truth to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Xerxes,

American Standard Version

And he sent letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 9:30 chronicles the official dissemination of letters by Mordecai and Queen Esther throughout the vast Persian Empire, confirming the establishment of the annual festival of Purim. These critical communications, dispatched to all 127 provinces under King Ahasuerus's dominion, carried "words of peace and truth," signifying the miraculous reversal of fortune for the Jewish people, their deliverance from annihilation, and the secure foundation of their newfound well-being and the veracity of the events that transpired.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the conclusion of the Book of Esther's narrative climax, following the dramatic reversal of Haman's genocidal decree. Chapters 8 and 9 detail the Jewish people's empowerment to defend themselves and the subsequent establishment of Purim as a perpetual memorial. Specifically, Esther 9:20-22 describes Mordecai's initial letter to all Jews, instructing them to observe Purim. Esther 9:29 then states that Queen Esther, along with Mordecai, wrote a second letter with full authority to confirm the observance of Purim. Verse 30, therefore, describes the actual sending of this authoritative, joint decree, ensuring its widespread recognition and adherence across the immense empire. It serves as the official seal on the events, solidifying the festival's legitimacy and permanence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Persian Empire, at its zenith under King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I, 486-465 BC), was an immense political entity, stretching from India to Ethiopia and encompassing 127 provinces. Communication across such a vast territory relied heavily on a sophisticated royal postal system, which could rapidly dispatch official decrees. Royal edicts, once issued and sealed with the king's signet ring, were legally binding and virtually irreversible, as seen with Haman's decree in [Esther 3:13](/esther/3-13 "Esther 3:13 - Haman's Decree to Destroy the Jews"). The sending of these new letters, therefore, was not merely a suggestion but an authoritative, legally recognized act of state, confirming the Jewish people's right to self-defense and the establishment of a new, lasting tradition. The phrase "words of peace and truth" would have resonated deeply in a culture where official pronouncements carried immense weight and determined the fate of populations.

* **Key Themes:** Esther 9:30 powerfully reinforces several key themes woven throughout the book. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence**, even though God is not explicitly mentioned. The "peace and truth" that now characterize the Jewish situation are a direct result of God's unseen hand orchestrating events to deliver His people from destruction, reversing the wicked plot of [Haman](/esther/3-13 "Esther 3:13 - Haman's Genocidal Plot"). Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Official Proclamation and Memory**. The widespread distribution of these letters ensures that the miraculous deliverance and the resulting festival of Purim would be remembered and observed for generations, solidifying the historical truth of their salvation. This act of formal communication transforms a singular event into a perpetual memorial, much like the instructions given in [Esther 9:20-22](/esther/9-20 "Esther 9:20-22 - Mordecai's Letter Instituting Purim"). Finally, the phrase "peace and truth" encapsulates the **Restoration of Order and Justice**. After a period of existential threat and chaos, the Jewish people experience *shalom* (peace, wholeness, well-being) and *emeth* (truth, reliability, faithfulness), signifying the triumph of righteousness over wickedness and the establishment of a secure future.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Peace (Hebrew, _shalom'_):** The Hebrew word שָׁלוֹם (_shalom_) is far richer than the English "peace." It denotes not merely the absence of conflict but a state of wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, and harmony. In this context, it signifies the comprehensive restoration of the Jewish people's security, flourishing, and proper relationship within the empire after facing an existential threat. It speaks to their physical safety, their social stability, and their spiritual well-being, all of which were jeopardized by Haman's decree. The letters carried the message that the period of terror was over, and a new era of security and prosperity had begun.
* **Truth (Hebrew, _emeth'_):** The Hebrew word אֱמֶת (_emeth_) conveys firmness, reliability, faithfulness, and veracity. When applied to the letters, it emphasizes the undeniable reality of the events that transpired – the plot, the deliverance, and the new decree. It underscores the legitimacy of the Jewish people's defense and the binding nature of the royal edict establishing Purim. More profoundly, it subtly points to the faithfulness of God's unseen hand in orchestrating these events, confirming the reliability of His providential care for His covenant people, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned. The "truth" of the letters affirmed the divine orchestration behind their salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he sent the letters unto all the Jews":** This clause highlights the agency of Mordecai (implied by "he," though Esther is also a co-author as per Esther 9:29) in ensuring the widespread communication of the new decree. The "letters" (סְפָרִים, _sefarim_) were official royal documents, carrying immense authority. The target audience, "all the Jews," underscores the comprehensive nature of the message, ensuring no Jewish community within the empire was left unaware of the new reality and the Purim observance.
* **"to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus":** This phrase emphasizes the vast geographical scope of the Persian Empire and, consequently, the immense reach of this official communication. The number "127" highlights the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the dissemination, ensuring that the message of deliverance and the mandate for Purim reached every corner where Jewish people resided. It contrasts sharply with the equally widespread but destructive decree of Haman.
* **"[with] words of peace and truth":** This is the heart of the verse's message. The phrase describes the content and character of the letters. "Words of peace" (דִּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם, _divrei shalom_) signify the cessation of conflict, the restoration of well-being, and the secure future for the Jewish people. "Words of truth" (וֶאֱמֶת, _ve'emeth_) affirm the veracity of the events that led to their deliverance and the binding, reliable nature of the new decree, ensuring its legitimacy and permanence. Together, they encapsulate the complete reversal of fortune from impending doom to established security and confirmed righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the very same royal postal system that carried Haman's decree of destruction (Esther 3:13) now carries the letters of deliverance and peace. This reversal underscores the dramatic shift in fortune and the triumph of divine providence. **Symbolism** is also at play, as the "letters" themselves become powerful symbols of authority, reversal, and deliverance. They are not mere documents but instruments of salvation and the establishment of a new, lasting tradition. Furthermore, the phrase "words of peace and truth" functions as a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting or complementary terms are used to express a single, comprehensive idea – in this case, the complete and secure well-being of the Jewish people, founded on the reliability of God's actions and the new decree. The **Contrast** between the previous decree of death and the current decree of life, peace, and truth is stark and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:30 serves as a powerful testament to God's unseen yet undeniable sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to turn the most dire circumstances into opportunities for deliverance and the establishment of justice. The "words of peace and truth" are not merely human pronouncements but reflect the very character of God, who is the source of true peace and the embodiment of faithfulness. This verse illustrates how God works through human agents and political structures to bring about His purposes, transforming decrees of death into decrees of life. It speaks to the biblical theme of God's covenant faithfulness to His people, ensuring their survival and flourishing despite overwhelming odds. The establishment of Purim, confirmed by these letters, becomes a perpetual reminder of God's providential care and the triumph of truth over deception.

* [Psalm 85:10](/psalms/85-10 "Psalm 85:10 - Righteousness and Peace Kiss")
* [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace")
* [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 9:30 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that even when God seems hidden or silent, His providential hand is at work, orchestrating events to bring about His righteous purposes. Just as the "words of peace and truth" brought assurance and security to the Jewish people, we are called to trust in God's unchanging character and His ultimate victory over evil. In a world often filled with chaos, deception, and fear, this verse encourages us to seek and proclaim God's peace and truth. It highlights the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness, allowing those memories to anchor our hope for the future. We are also challenged to be agents of peace and truth in our own spheres of influence, speaking words that build up, reconcile, and affirm God's reality in a world desperately needing it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "peace and truth" in Esther 9:30 resonate with your understanding of God's character and His work in the world?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's providential hand turning a seemingly hopeless situation into one of peace and deliverance?**
* **How can we, as believers, be active carriers of "words of peace and truth" in our families, communities, and workplaces today?**

### FAQ
**Who exactly sent these letters, and what authority did they carry?**

Answer: The letters were sent by Mordecai and Queen Esther. Esther 9:29 explicitly states, "Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim." This indicates a joint authorship with the highest possible authority short of the king's direct decree, given Esther's royal position and Mordecai's role as prime minister. The fact that they were sent "unto all the Jews" across "the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus" further underscores their official and binding nature, ensuring widespread recognition and adherence to the newly established festival of Purim.

**What is the deeper significance of the phrase "words of peace and truth"?**

Answer: The phrase "words of peace and truth" (Hebrew: _divrei shalom ve'emeth_) is highly significant. "Peace" (_shalom_) signifies more than just the absence of conflict; it denotes wholeness, well-being, security, and prosperity. After facing annihilation, the Jewish people were now assured of their safety and flourishing. "Truth" (_emeth_) refers to the veracity and reliability of the events and the new decree. It confirms that the miraculous deliverance was real and that the new royal edict, which allowed the Jews to defend themselves and established Purim, was legitimate and binding. Together, these words encapsulate the complete reversal of their fortunes from impending doom to established security and confirmed righteousness, reflecting God's faithfulness in bringing order out of chaos. This phrase serves as the core message of hope and assurance conveyed by the letters.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "words of peace and truth" dispatched throughout the Persian Empire in Esther 9:30 powerfully foreshadow the ultimate and eternal "words of peace and truth" brought by Jesus Christ. While Esther's letters secured a temporary peace and confirmed a historical truth for a specific people, Christ embodies the very essence of both. He is the [Prince of Peace](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prophecy of the Prince of Peace"), who breaks down dividing walls of hostility and reconciles humanity to God through His sacrifice, offering a peace that surpasses all understanding ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"); [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). Furthermore, Jesus declared Himself to be "the way, the **truth**, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), embodying the ultimate reality and faithfulness of God. Unlike the decrees of earthly kings, which are temporary, Christ's new covenant is an everlasting decree of grace and salvation, proclaimed not merely to 127 provinces but to the ends of the earth ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). The deliverance of the Jews in Esther, secured by letters of peace and truth, points to the infinitely greater deliverance from sin and death offered by the Lamb of God, whose very presence brings ultimate peace and whose word is absolute truth ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")).

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 1:1

¶ Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this [is] Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, [over] an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

Esther 8:9

Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that [is], the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which [are] from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

Isaiah 39:8

Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good [is] the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

Zechariah 8:19

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth [month], and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.