Esther 9 18

Esther 9:18 kjv

But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

Esther 9:18 nkjv

But the Jews who were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day, as well as on the fourteenth; and on the fifteenth of the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

Esther 9:18 niv

The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.

Esther 9:18 esv

But the Jews who were in Susa gathered on the thirteenth day and on the fourteenth, and rested on the fifteenth day, making that a day of feasting and gladness.

Esther 9:18 nlt

(The Jews at Susa killed their enemies on March 7 and again on March 8, then rested on March 9, making that their day of feasting and gladness.)

Esther 9 verses

Esther 9 18 Meaning

Esther chapter 9 verse 18 records that the Jews in Shushan, the capital city, assembled and fought their adversaries on both the thirteenth and fourteenth days of the month Adar. Consequently, they rested and celebrated on the fifteenth day of that month, making it a distinct day of feasting and gladness for them, thereby establishing a unique observance of Purim in the capital city compared to the rest of the Persian provinces.

Esther 9 18 Context

Esther 9:18 sits within the broader narrative of the Jewish people's defense against Haman's genocidal plot. The previous verses (9:1-17) describe how the Jews, empowered by King Ahasuerus's counter-decree, stood for their lives throughout the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire. While the Jews in the provinces fought on the thirteenth of Adar and rested on the fourteenth, Esther 9:18 highlights a specific situation in Shushan. Esther's further petition to the king (Esth 9:13) granted the Jews in the capital an additional day, the fourteenth of Adar, to continue their defense and slay their enemies. Therefore, their day of rest and subsequent feasting occurred on the fifteenth of Adar, making their Purim celebration one day later than in the rest of the empire. This unique detail underscores the particular severity and prolonged struggle faced by the Jewish community in the capital city, possibly due to it being the heart of power and intrigue. The context immediately following this verse (9:19) further elaborates on the two distinct observances of Purim, reinforcing the unique date for Shushan.

Esther 9 18 Word analysis

• But (Hebrew: וּבְשׁוּשָׁן, u'v'Shushan, lit. "And in Shushan"): This conjunction introduces a clear distinction or contrast. It immediately signals that the account of events in Shushan differs from what just occurred in the provinces (verses 16-17). It draws the reader's attention to a unique development.
• Jews: Emphasizes the identity of the people group who were the targets of destruction but are now agents of their own defense and liberation, under God's hidden providence.
• who were in Shushan: Specifies the geographical location, the Persian capital. The capital's unique position warranted distinct action and outcome.
• assembled together: (Hebrew: נִקְהֲלוּ, nikhe-lu, passive form of qahal - to gather, assemble). This denotes an organized, collective, and deliberate effort, not random retaliation. It signifies their unity and resolve in the face of threats.
• on the thirteenth day, and on the fourteenth day of the month Adar: These precise dates are crucial. They indicate the extended duration of the conflict in Shushan (two days of fighting), unlike the one-day struggle elsewhere. This prolonged effort was permitted by Esther’s second petition.
• and rested: (Hebrew: וַיָּנוּחוּ, vayyanu-khu, from nuach - to rest, settle, be quiet). This signifies a cessation of conflict, a sense of peace and security after triumph. The rest precedes and enables the celebration. It echoes the concept of rest after labor, similar to Sabbath observance.
• on the fifteenth day of the same month: This specific date sets Shushan Purim (Shushan Purim or Purim HaMeshulash, "the triple Purim") one day after the celebration in other parts of the empire, which commenced on the fourteenth. This calendrical difference is fundamental to the observance of Purim.
• and made it a day of feasting and gladness: (Hebrew: וַעֲשֹׂה אֹתוֹ יוֹם מִשְׁתֶּה וְשִׂמְחָה, va'aso oto yom mishte v'simchah).
  • day of feasting (yom mishte): "Feasting" implies banqueting, rich food and drink. Biblically, feasting often accompanied covenant making, thanksgiving for deliverance, or solemn festivals of joy (e.g., Exod 12, Neh 8).
  • and gladness (v'simchah): Refers to deep joy, inner happiness, a state of rejoicing. This gladness is a divine gift, born out of divine rescue and reversal of fortune (e.g., Ps 30:11; Isa 61:3). It represents the transformation from intended mourning and sorrow into overwhelming delight.

Words-group analysis:

• "But the Jews who were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day, and on the fourteenth day...": This phrase distinguishes the capital city's unique, two-day conflict. It emphasizes the scale of the threat and the Jewish community's resolve within the center of imperial power. Their strategic and united response was crucial for their survival.
• "...and rested on the fifteenth day of the same month and made it a day of feasting and gladness": This concluding phrase highlights the transformation from grave danger and intense conflict to joyous celebration and peace. The shift from fighting to feasting is a direct outcome of their triumph, attributed to God's providence, though His name is absent in Esther. It encapsulates the core purpose of Purim – celebrating God's deliverance and the reversal of Haman's evil decree.

Esther 9 18 Bonus section

The distinction in dates mentioned in Esther 9:18 and 9:19 (the 14th for Jews outside Shushan and the 15th for Jews within Shushan) led to the historical practice of Purim being observed on two different days depending on location. Cities that were walled since the time of Joshua are designated to observe Purim on the 15th of Adar, in remembrance of Shushan, which was a walled city. All other places observe it on the 14th. This calendrical detail underlines the careful preservation of the historical events and the authority vested in the Megillah (Book of Esther) for establishing this specific tradition. It reflects the meticulous attention to detail regarding a foundational act of God's salvation for His people within the Persian Diaspora. The fact that the capital city required two days of fighting speaks to the depth of anti-Jewish sentiment and the coordinated effort against them even in the heart of the empire, making their eventual triumph even more profound.

Esther 9 18 Commentary

Esther 9:18 is pivotal as it records the origin of the distinct observance of Purim within Shushan. The fighting for the Jews in the provinces occurred on the thirteenth of Adar, leading to a day of rest and feasting on the fourteenth. However, in Shushan, due to the magnitude of their enemies and Esther's further petition to King Ahasuerus for an extra day to destroy their foes, the battle extended through the fourteenth of Adar. This meant their day of triumph, rest, and ensuing celebration was consequently shifted to the fifteenth. This specific detail highlights the local variation in a festival that would soon become universal for Jews. The verse underscores the transformation from the edge of extermination to complete security and joyful celebration. The "feasting and gladness" reflect an overwhelming sense of relief and divine reversal, turning mourning into dancing. This mandated joy, often associated with remembrance and thanksgiving in the Hebrew Scriptures, establishes Purim as a permanent memorial of God's hidden, yet powerful, hand in protecting His people. It demonstrates that even when God is not explicitly named, His providential care orchestrates events for the salvation of His covenant people.