Esther 9:32

KJV

And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the decree {H3982} of Esther {H635} confirmed {H6965} these matters {H1697} of Purim {H6332}; and it was written {H3789} in the book {H5612}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At Ester's order these matters of Purim were confirmed and put in writing in the book.

Berean Standard Bible

So Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, which were written into the record.

American Standard Version

And the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 9:32 serves as the culminating affirmation of the annual festival of Purim, solidifying its observance for all generations. It highlights Queen Esther's decisive and authoritative role in formally endorsing the celebration, transforming what began as a spontaneous outpouring of gratitude for divine deliverance into an official, enduring decree. The verse emphatically underscores the permanence of this memorial through its documentation in official records, ensuring that the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people from Haman's genocidal plot would be perpetually remembered and celebrated.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Esther 9:32 functions as the narrative's final seal on the establishment of the Purim festival. It immediately follows the detailed account of the Jewish people's victory over their enemies (Esther 9:1-19) and Mordecai's initial instructions for the annual observance of Purim (Esther 9:20-28). Specifically, verse 29 explicitly states that "Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim." This verse, therefore, acts as the ultimate validation, emphasizing Esther's supreme authority in ensuring the festival's permanence. It brings a definitive close to the detailed narrative of Purim's inception, transitioning from the events themselves to their lasting, legally binding commemoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Esther is set within the vast Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus (commonly identified as Xerxes I, 486-465 BC). During this post-exilic period, Jewish communities were dispersed across the empire, living as minorities. Persian governance was characterized by the absolute authority of royal decrees (`maʼămar`), which, once issued, were considered irrevocable. This is powerfully illustrated by Haman's initial genocidal decree against the Jews (see [Esther 3:12](/esther/3-12 "Esther 3:12 - Haman's Decree Issued")) and the subsequent counter-decree allowing Jewish self-defense (see [Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - The King's Ring and the Counter-Decree")). The act of "writing in the book" refers to the meticulous maintenance of official royal chronicles or archives, which served as permanent, legally recognized records of significant events, laws, and edicts. For a dispersed people like the Jews, the establishment of a unifying festival like Purim, confirmed by royal authority and inscribed in state records, was paramount for preserving their distinct identity, heritage, and faith in a foreign land.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several overarching themes central to the book of Esther. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Providence**, even though God is never explicitly mentioned in the narrative. The miraculous reversal of fortune, from impending annihilation to decisive victory, culminating in the establishment of Purim, implicitly points to God's hidden hand orchestrating events for the deliverance of His people. The festival itself serves as a perpetual memorial to this unseen divine intervention. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Jewish Resilience and Identity**. In a hostile foreign land, the Jewish people not only survived a genocidal plot but established a lasting tradition that solidified their communal identity and celebrated their unique heritage. The formal confirmation by Esther and its inscription in a royal record ensured that this identity would be preserved across generations, echoing the covenant promises of God to His people to remember His works and teach them to their children, as seen in [Deuteronomy 4:9](/deuteronomy/4-9 "Deuteronomy 4:9 - Remember and Teach Your Children"). Lastly, the verse emphasizes the **Authority of Leadership** in preserving and transmitting spiritual heritage. Esther, through her courageous actions and her royal decree, played a vital role in ensuring that the memory of God's deliverance and the significance of Purim would be upheld and passed down, much like Moses establishing the Passover in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Institution of the Passover").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Decree (Hebrew, _maʼămar'_):** This term (H3982) refers to something "authoritatively said," specifically an edict or commandment. In the context of the Persian Empire, a royal `maʼămar` carried the full, unchangeable weight of the king's authority. Esther's use of this power to confirm Purim signifies its transition from a spontaneous custom to a legally binding, permanent, and universally observed statute throughout the empire.
* **Confirmed (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** This primitive root (H6965) means "to rise," but in a causative sense, "to establish," "uphold," "make stand firm," or "ratify." Applied to Esther's action, it emphasizes the lasting validity and permanent nature of the Purim observance. It indicates that her decree was not merely an endorsement but an act that secured the festival's place as an enduring tradition, ensuring its perpetuity for all future generations.
* **Book (Hebrew, _çêpher'_):** This word (H5612) primarily means "writing" or "a document," and by implication, "a book." In the ancient Near East, writing was the primary means of formalizing laws, recording historical events, and ensuring their preservation. The act of writing "in the book" (likely a royal chronicle or official record) elevated Purim's status, making it an undeniable and historically verifiable part of Jewish tradition and Persian law, thereby guaranteeing its enduring legacy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim;":** This clause highlights Queen Esther's decisive and authoritative role in the formal establishment of the Purim festival. Following Mordecai's initial instructions to observe the feast, Esther, leveraging her royal position and influence, issued a `maʼămar` (decree) that `qûwm` (confirmed or established) the practices and observances associated with Purim. This act transformed the spontaneous celebration of deliverance into a legally binding and perpetually observed annual tradition, underscoring her indispensable contribution to the preservation of her people's heritage and the commemoration of God's hidden providence.
* **"and it was written in the book.":** This concluding phrase emphasizes the permanence and official nature of Esther's decree. The "book" most likely refers to the official royal chronicles or state archives of the Persian Empire, where significant events, laws, and royal edicts were meticulously recorded. This act of documentation served multiple purposes: it legally validated the observance of Purim, ensured its historical preservation for future generations, and provided an undeniable record of the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people. It signifies that the events and their commemoration were not merely oral traditions but formally inscribed history, ensuring their enduring legacy and legal standing.

#### Literary Devices
Esther 9:32 employs several significant literary devices to underscore its message. The most prominent is **Confirmation**, as the entire verse functions to formally ratify and bring closure to the preceding narrative of Purim's establishment. This act provides a sense of finality and permanence to the extraordinary events described in the earlier chapters. There is also a strong element of **Emphasis** on Esther's authority; by stating "the decree of Esther confirmed," the narrative elevates her unique and crucial role in solidifying the festival, portraying her as a pivotal figure in the deliverance and preservation of her people. The phrase "it was written in the book" serves as a form of **Legal Documentation** or **Official Record**, lending undeniable historical weight and validity to both the events and the subsequent festival. This act of inscription also functions as a powerful act of **Memorialization**, ensuring that the memory of God's hidden deliverance and the resilience of the Jewish people would be perpetually preserved and passed down through generations, effectively transforming a historical event into an eternal tradition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 9:32, though brief, carries significant theological weight by emphasizing the importance of remembering God's acts of deliverance and establishing practices that ensure their perpetual commemoration. While God is not explicitly named in Esther, the entire narrative, culminating in this verse, is a powerful testament to His hidden but active providence. The formal establishment and documentation of Purim underscore the biblical principle that God's faithfulness to His covenant people is to be remembered and celebrated across generations, providing hope and a foundation for future faith. This act of memorialization is not merely historical but deeply theological, serving as a constant reminder of God's sovereignty over human affairs and His commitment to preserving His people against all odds. It teaches that even in the absence of overt divine intervention, God is at work behind the scenes, using human instruments to fulfill His purposes and ensure His people's survival.

* [Exodus 12:14](/exodus/12-14 "Institution of Passover as a Memorial")
* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teaching God's Commands to Children")
* [Psalm 78:4](/psalms/78-4 "Passing on God's Deeds to Future Generations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 9:32 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, encouraging us to reflect on the importance of remembering and commemorating God's faithfulness in our own lives and in the life of the church. Just as Purim was established to ensure the Jewish people never forgot their miraculous deliverance, we are called to intentionally recall and celebrate God's past mercies, provisions, and interventions. This practice of remembrance strengthens our faith, cultivates gratitude, and provides a wellspring of hope in times of uncertainty. Furthermore, the verse underscores the value of establishing spiritual disciplines and traditions within our personal lives and communities that serve as tangible reminders of God's work. Whether it's through regular Bible study, communal worship, observing ordinances like communion, or simply documenting personal testimonies of God's grace, these practices help us transmit our spiritual heritage to future generations. The emphasis on "writing in the book" also reminds us of the power of testimony and documentation, urging us to share our stories of God's goodness, ensuring that His mighty acts are not forgotten but continue to inspire and encourage others for years to come.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What personal or communal "deliverances" has God orchestrated in your life or in your church that deserve intentional remembrance and celebration?**
* **How can you more effectively "write in the book" (document or share) God's faithfulness in your life, ensuring that His works are not forgotten by future generations?**
* **What spiritual disciplines or traditions can you establish or strengthen to consistently remind yourself and others of God's hidden providence and active presence?**

### FAQ
**Why is Esther's decree specifically highlighted when Mordecai also issued letters?**

Answer: While Mordecai initiated the observance of Purim through his letters (Esther 9:20-22), Esther's decree provided the ultimate royal and legal confirmation. As queen, her `maʼămar` (decree) carried the full authority of the Persian monarchy, making the observance of Purim an official, legally binding, and irrevocable statute throughout the empire. This elevated Purim from a mere suggestion or custom to an established law, ensuring its permanence and universal observance among the Jewish people, similar to how a king's decree was unchangeable once issued, as seen in [Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - The King's Ring and the Counter-Decree"). Her involvement underscored the significance of the event and solidified its place in the royal records.

**What "book" is referred to in this verse?**

Answer: The "book" most likely refers to the official royal chronicles or state archives of the Persian Empire. These records were meticulously kept, documenting important events, laws, and decrees. The phrase "it was written in the book" signifies that Esther's decree confirming Purim was formally inscribed into these official records, lending it legal validity, historical permanence, and ensuring its preservation for future reference. This act of documentation was crucial for establishing the festival as an enduring tradition, much like the recording of other significant events in [Esther 6:1](/esther/6-1 "Esther 6:1 - The King's Sleepless Night and the Chronicles").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther 9:32, with its emphasis on the confirmation and perpetual remembrance of a great deliverance, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Purim commemorates the salvation of God's people from physical annihilation, Christ's death and resurrection accomplished the definitive spiritual deliverance for all humanity from sin and death. The "decree of Esther" ensured a lasting memorial, but Christ's finished work on the cross established an eternal covenant, sealed not by human decree but by divine blood (see [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Blood and Eternal Redemption")). The command to remember Purim foreshadows the New Covenant's call to remember Christ's sacrifice through the Lord's Supper, where believers are commanded to "do this in remembrance of me" (as recorded in [Luke 22:19](/luke/22-19 "Luke 22:19 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). While Purim celebrated a temporary reprieve, Christ's victory offers eternal life and a permanent reconciliation with God (see [Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Death")). The "writing in the book" of Purim's decree points forward to the ultimate "book of life" where the names of those redeemed by Christ are eternally inscribed (as mentioned in [Revelation 20:15](/revelation/20-15 "Revelation 20:15 - The Book of Life and Final Judgment")). Thus, Esther 9:32, though rooted in a specific historical Jewish deliverance, ultimately points to the greater, universal, and everlasting deliverance secured by the King of kings, Jesus Christ, whose saving work is eternally confirmed and perpetually remembered.

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 9:26

Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and [of that] which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,