Esther 9:31

KJV

To confirm these days of Purim in their times [appointed], according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.

KJV (with Strong's)

To confirm {H6965} these days {H3117} of Purim {H6332} in their times {H2165} appointed, according as Mordecai {H4782} the Jew {H3064} and Esther {H635} the queen {H4436} had enjoined {H6965} them, and as they had decreed {H6965} for themselves {H5315} and for their seed {H2233}, the matters {H1697} of the fastings {H6685} and their cry {H2201}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and requiring the observance of these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordekhai the Jew and Ester the queen had enjoined them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants concerning the matters of fasting and lamenting.

Berean Standard Bible

in order to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established them and had committed themselves and their descendants to the times of fasting and lamentation.

American Standard Version

to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had ordained for themselves and for their seed, in the matter of the fastings and their cry.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 9:31 formally establishes the annual observance of Purim, solidifying a tradition initiated by Mordecai and Queen Esther. This pivotal verse confirms the decree for future generations, ensuring the perpetual remembrance of God's miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's genocidal plot. It uniquely emphasizes not only the festive aspects of feasting and joy but also the solemn remembrance of the fastings and cries that preceded their salvation, underscoring a balanced approach to commemorating divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 9:31 serves as the culminating decree in the book's narrative concerning the establishment of Purim. Following the dramatic reversal of Haman's decree and the Jews' victorious self-defense on the 13th of Adar, the 14th (and 15th for Shushan) became days of rest and feasting, as detailed in [Esther 9:17-18](/esther/9-17-18 "Esther 9:17-18 - Days of Rest and Feasting"). Mordecai had already sent out initial letters instructing the Jews to observe these days annually with feasting, joy, and the exchange of gifts, as recorded in [Esther 9:20-22](/esther/9-20-22 "Esther 9:20-22 - Mordecai's Initial Decree"). The people had enthusiastically accepted this custom for themselves and their descendants, as affirmed in [Esther 9:27-28](/esther/9-27-28 "Esther 9:27-28 - The Jews Accept the Custom"). Verse 31 then describes a second, more formal letter from Esther, co-signed by Mordecai, which "confirms" and "enjoins" these practices, crucially adding the specific remembrance of the fasts. This progression signifies a movement from spontaneous, joyous celebration to an officially sanctioned, enduring religious observance, ensuring its perpetuity and theological depth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Esther unfold within the vast Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus (commonly identified as Xerxes I, 486-465 BC). Jews were dispersed throughout the 127 provinces, a diaspora community living under foreign rule, often vulnerable to the whims of imperial power. Royal decrees in Persia were famously immutable once issued, as highlighted in [Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - The Immutability of Persian Law"), making the issuance of a counter-decree by the king, influenced by Esther and Mordecai, a monumental act of divine providence. The establishment of new festivals was a common practice in ancient cultures, often commemorating significant national events or deliverances. For the Jewish people, while feasts like Passover and Sukkot were divinely ordained from antiquity, Purim stands out as a post-exilic, humanly instituted (though profoundly divinely inspired) festival. It reflects the community's response to a unique, existential deliverance. The inclusion of "fastings and their cry" reflects a common ancient Near Eastern and biblical practice of fasting and lamentation in times of distress, often preceding a period of celebration upon deliverance, thus grounding the joy in a memory of profound dependence.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several themes central to the book of Esther. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Providence**, where God's sovereign hand is at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for the salvation of His people, even when His name is never explicitly mentioned in the text. The dramatic reversal of Haman's plot from destruction to deliverance is a testament to this hidden yet active providence, vividly portrayed in [Esther 9:1-5](/esther/9-1-5 "Esther 9:1-5 - The Day of Deliverance and Victory"). Another key theme is **Communal Remembrance and Identity**. The annual observance of Purim ensures that the memory of God's faithfulness and the resilience of the Jewish people are passed down through generations, solidifying their identity and faith. The verse also highlights **Responsible Leadership** through Mordecai and Esther, who utilize their positions of influence to secure the well-being and spiritual heritage of their people. Finally, the inclusion of "fastings and their cry" introduces the theme of **Joy and Solemnity Intertwined**, demonstrating that true celebration acknowledges the preceding struggle and the humble dependence on God that led to deliverance, echoing Esther's initial call for a fast in [Esther 4:16](/esther/4-16 "Esther 4:16 - Esther's Call for a Fast").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **confirm (Hebrew, _qûwm_ H6965):** This verb signifies to rise, establish, confirm, uphold, or fulfill. In the context of Esther 9:31, it denotes the authoritative act of giving legal and perpetual validity to the observance of Purim. It elevates the practice beyond a spontaneous custom to an officially sanctioned and binding tradition, implying a lasting decree. The word encompasses the idea of making something stand firm and endure, ensuring that the days of Purim would be observed "in their times appointed" for all future generations, solidifying its place in the Jewish calendar. It is the same root used for "enjoined" and "decreed" later in the verse, underscoring the authoritative nature of the entire process.
* **matters (Hebrew, _dâbâr_ H1697):** This highly versatile Hebrew noun, meaning "word," "thing," "affair," or "matter," is crucial here. It specifies the content of the decree: "the matters of the fastings and their cry." By using _dâbâr_, the text emphasizes that the fastings and cries are not merely incidental occurrences but distinct, significant components or "affairs" that are to be remembered and integrated into the Purim observance. It frames these solemn elements as specific subjects of the decree, giving them formal weight and ensuring their inclusion in the festival's perpetuation.
* **fastings (Hebrew, _tsôwm_ H6685) and cry (Hebrew, _zaʻaq_ H2201):** This phrase is central to understanding the nuanced nature of Purim. "Fastings" (plural) refers to periods of abstinence from food, typically accompanied by mourning, repentance, and prayer, such as the three-day fast called by Esther in [Esther 4:16](/esther/4-16 "Esther 4:16 - Esther's Call for a Fast"). "Their cry" refers to the fervent prayers, lamentations, and desperate appeals to God that the Jewish people uttered during their time of distress and impending doom. The explicit inclusion of these elements alongside the implicit feasting highlights that Purim is not merely a celebration of victory but also a profound remembrance of the humility, repentance, and desperate dependence on God that preceded their miraculous deliverance. It acknowledges the complete journey from despair and supplication to joy and salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To confirm these days of Purim in their times [appointed],"**: This opening clause states the primary purpose of the formal decree: to officially establish and ensure the ongoing, annual observance of the festival of Purim. The phrase "in their times appointed" emphasizes the fixed, annual nature of the celebration, ensuring it would be a regular and predictable part of the Jewish calendar, perpetually recalling the specific historical events of deliverance.
* **"according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them,"**: This part attributes the authoritative initiation and formalization of the Purim observance to the two central figures of the book. It highlights their leadership and the legitimacy of the decree, stemming from their unique positions of influence and their instrumental roles in securing the deliverance. Their "enjoining" signifies a formal, written command that carries significant weight and expectation for the Jewish community.
* **"and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed,"**: This clause reinforces the binding nature of the commitment, indicating that the Jewish people had already voluntarily accepted this custom for themselves and their descendants. The phrase "for themselves and for their seed" underscores the crucial intergenerational aspect of the observance, ensuring that the memory, lessons, and spiritual significance of Purim would be faithfully passed down through future generations, thereby preserving their heritage and faith.
* **"the matters of the fastings and their cry."**: This final, significant clause specifies a crucial, often overlooked, component of the Purim observance: the remembrance of the solemn period of fasting and fervent prayer that preceded their salvation. It adds a layer of depth and sobriety to the celebration, ensuring that the joy of deliverance is tempered by a recognition of the desperation, humility, and profound dependence on God that characterized the time of crisis. This inclusion transforms Purim from a mere festive occasion into a holistic commemoration of God's intervention, encompassing both sorrow and joy, lament and praise.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Inclusion** is evident in the specific mention of "the fastings and their cry" alongside the implicit feasting and joy, demonstrating a comprehensive and balanced approach to remembrance that encompasses both solemnity and celebration. This creates a powerful **Contrast** between the initial despair and the ultimate celebration, highlighting the magnitude of the turnaround orchestrated by divine providence. The **Repetition** of ideas related to establishment and decree ("confirm," "enjoined," "decreed") emphasizes the authoritative and binding nature of the Purim observance, ensuring its perpetuity and universal acceptance among the Jewish people. Furthermore, the entire festival of Purim, as confirmed in this verse, functions as a powerful **Symbolism** of God's hidden providence and His ability to turn evil intentions into good outcomes, even when His name is not explicitly invoked within the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:31 profoundly articulates the theological principle of remembrance, a cornerstone of biblical faith. Just as God commanded Israel to remember His mighty acts of deliverance, this verse demonstrates the community's faithful response to God's sovereign intervention, even when His presence is subtly veiled. The establishment of Purim underscores that God's covenant faithfulness extends to His people in all circumstances, even in the diaspora and under foreign rule. It teaches that God works through human agents and political means to achieve His purposes, orchestrating events behind the scenes. The inclusion of "fastings and their cry" alongside celebration provides a template for holistic spiritual remembrance: acknowledging both the desperation that drove them to God and the joyous deliverance He provided. This balance fosters humility in triumph and hope in adversity, recognizing that true joy is often born out of profound dependence and earnest supplication.

* [Deuteronomy 6:12](/deuteronomy/6-12 "Deuteronomy 6:12 - Do Not Forget the Lord")
* [Psalm 77:11](/psalms/77-11 "Psalm 77:11 - Remembering God's Deeds")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Prayer and Peace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 9:31 offers a timeless invitation to cultivate a deep and intentional practice of remembrance in our own lives, both individually and communally. Just as the Jews were enjoined to recall God's dramatic deliverance, we are called to actively remember God's faithfulness, His interventions, and His provision in our personal histories and in the broader narrative of His people. This verse encourages us to establish our own "days of Purim"—moments, practices, or traditions—that serve as tangible reminders of God's goodness and our dependence on Him. It teaches us to embrace a spirituality that can hold both profound sorrow and exuberant joy, recognizing that our greatest deliverances often emerge from our deepest cries. By remembering the "fastings and their cry," we are reminded that humility, repentance, and earnest prayer are often the precursors to God's most powerful acts of salvation, fostering a balanced perspective that celebrates God's triumph while never forgetting the journey of faith that led there.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "days of Purim" (moments of divine deliverance) can you identify in your own life, and how do you intentionally remember them?**
* **How can you cultivate a personal or communal practice that balances gratitude for God's blessings with a humble remembrance of past struggles or periods of dependence?**
* **In what ways does your current spiritual rhythm incorporate both celebration (feasting) and solemnity (fasting/prayer), and what might Esther 9:31 teach you about integrating these more fully?**
* **How are you passing on the stories of God's faithfulness to the "seed"—the next generation—in your family, church, or community?**

### FAQ

**Why is God's name not explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther, yet a religious festival is established based on its events?**

Answer: While God's name is conspicuously absent from the text of Esther, His presence and sovereign hand are undeniably central to the narrative. The book implicitly portrays God as working behind the scenes, orchestrating seemingly coincidental events—Esther becoming queen, Mordecai uncovering a plot, the king's sleepless night ([Esther 6:1](/esther/6-1 "Esther 6:1 - The King's Sleepless Night"))—to deliver His people. The establishment of Purim, as confirmed in [Esther 9:31](/esther/9-31 "Esther 9:31 - Confirmation of Purim"), is the human response to this divine, though hidden, providence. It teaches that God is active in the world even when He is not overtly declared, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people through the natural course of events and human agency. The absence of His name may also underscore the precariousness of the Jewish situation in the diaspora, where God's intervention might not be as overt as in the days of the Exodus, yet no less real, requiring a deeper discernment of His hand.

**What is the significance of including "the matters of the fastings and their cry" in the observance of Purim?**

Answer: The inclusion of "the fastings and their cry" alongside the feasting is profoundly significant. It ensures that Purim is not merely a celebration of victory but a holistic remembrance that encompasses the full spectrum of the experience—from desperation to deliverance. It explicitly recalls the period of intense distress, mourning, and fervent prayer (such as Esther's call for a three-day fast in [Esther 4:16](/esther/4-16 "Esther 4:16 - Esther's Call for a Fast")) that preceded God's miraculous intervention. This element serves several crucial purposes: it fosters humility by reminding the celebrants of their utter dependence on God during their time of peril; it deepens gratitude by contrasting the former despair with the present joy; and it provides a model for spiritual remembrance that acknowledges both the solemnity of suffering and the exuberance of salvation. It teaches that true joy is often born out of a crucible of prayer and reliance on God, and that genuine celebration integrates the memory of the struggle that preceded the triumph.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 9:31, in its confirmation of Purim, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and reversal found in Jesus Christ. Just as the Jews were rescued from certain death through the unexpected elevation of Esther and Mordecai, humanity, condemned by sin, finds salvation through the unexpected and humble incarnation of God in Christ. Haman's gallows, intended for Mordecai, became the instrument of Haman's own demise, a profound **irony** that points to the cross of Christ. What the enemy intended for destruction—the crucifixion of Jesus—God used as the means of ultimate victory over sin and death, disarming the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14-15 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The "fastings and their cry" of the Jews in Esther prefigure the spiritual poverty and repentance that lead to salvation in Christ, as those who mourn their sin will be comforted and inherit the earth ([Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed Are Those Who Mourn")). The feasting and joy of Purim, celebrating deliverance, find their ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual feast of salvation and the promise of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")), where believers will eternally celebrate Christ's triumph over all enemies. Thus, Purim's story of a hidden God working behind the scenes to save His people culminates in the open revelation of God's saving power in the person and work of Jesus, the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing a salvation far greater and more enduring than any earthly deliverance.

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 4:3

And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, [there was] great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Esther 4:16

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Jonah 3:2

Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

Jonah 3:9

Who can tell [if] God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?