Esther 9:1
¶ Now in the twelfth month, that [is], the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
Now in the twelfth {H8147}{H6240} month {H2320}, that is, the month {H2320} Adar {H143}, on the thirteenth {H7969}{H6240} day {H3117} of the same, when the king's {H4428} commandment {H1697} and his decree {H1881} drew near {H5060} to be put in execution {H6213}, in the day {H3117} that the enemies {H341} of the Jews {H3064} hoped {H7663} to have power {H7980} over them,(though it was turned {H2015} to the contrary, that the Jews {H3064} had rule {H7980} over them that hated {H8130} them;)
The time approached for the king's order and decree to be carried out, the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to overpower them. But, as it turned out, the opposite took place - the Jews overpowered those who hated them. Thus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar,
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them.
Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them (whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them),
Cross-References
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Esther 8:12 (7 votes)
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, [namely], upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which [is] the month Adar. -
Esther 3:13 (6 votes)
And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, [even] upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey. -
Revelation 11:18 (4 votes)
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. -
Isaiah 14:1 (3 votes)
¶ For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. -
Isaiah 14:2 (3 votes)
And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. -
2 Samuel 22:41 (3 votes)
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. -
Psalms 30:11 (3 votes)
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Commentary
Esther 9:1 marks the dramatic climax of the book of Esther, detailing the day originally designated for the destruction of the Jewish people. This verse sets the stage for a profound reversal of fortune, showcasing divine providence at work.
Context of Esther 9:1
This verse describes the pivotal thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar. This was the exact date, almost a year prior, that Haman the Agagite had chosen by lot (Pur) for the annihilation of all Jews throughout the Persian Empire, a decree sealed by King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) himself. However, through the courageous intervention of Queen Esther and the wisdom of Mordecai, a counter-decree was issued, granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against any who attacked them. Esther 9:1 reveals the outcome: what was intended to be a day of Jewish slaughter was miraculously transformed into a day of Jewish triumph. The enemies of the Jews, who had hoped to gain power over them, found the situation "turned to the contrary," with the Jews prevailing.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "turned to the contrary" (Hebrew: נַהֲפוֹךְ הוּא, nahǎfokh hu') vividly emphasizes the complete reversal of fortune. It's not just a slight change, but an absolute inversion of the expected outcome. The month Adar was the twelfth and final month of the Babylonian calendar year, corresponding roughly to February-March.
Practical Application
Esther 9:1 offers powerful encouragement that even in the face of overwhelming opposition or seemingly irreversible decrees, God can orchestrate a complete reversal. It reminds believers that God's sovereignty can turn the darkest days into opportunities for triumph and deliverance. When our circumstances seem hopeless, we can trust in the unseen hand of God to work things out for our good, just as He did for the Jews in Persia. This narrative inspires hope and reinforces faith in God's ultimate control over history and individual lives, a truth often reflected in passages such as Romans 8:28.
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