Esther 9 20

Esther 9:20 kjv

And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

Esther 9:20 nkjv

And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus,

Esther 9:20 niv

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far,

Esther 9:20 esv

And Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far,

Esther 9:20 nlt

Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes,

Esther 9 verses

Esther 9 20 Meaning

Esther 9:20 details Mordecai's immediate action to document the events of deliverance and formally disseminate this information across the entire Persian Empire. His initiative ensured that all Jewish communities, near and far, were informed of the miraculous turnaround from decreed destruction to triumph, setting the stage for the establishment of an enduring annual commemoration of these events.

Esther 9 20 Context

Esther 9:20 appears directly after the climactic events of the Book of Esther. Chapter 9 describes the reversal of fortune: the Jewish people, given royal permission by Ahasuerus's counter-decree (Esth 8), defended themselves successfully against those who sought their destruction. On the 13th day of Adar, they gained victory throughout the empire. In Shushan, the capital, they continued fighting for a second day, the 14th of Adar, signifying an even greater victory there. The following day, the 15th of Adar, was a day of rest, feasting, and joy for them, whereas in the provinces, they rested on the 14th (Esth 9:18-19). This verse marks a pivotal shift from the narrative of peril and deliverance to the formalization of its remembrance. It is Mordecai’s authoritative step to institutionalize the memory of this divine deliverance, building on the celebratory acts of the Jewish communities. Historically, this aligns with the Persian administrative structure where official decrees (like the ones preceding) were common, lending credence and authority to Mordecai's written instructions. The book's larger context highlights God's hidden hand orchestrating events to protect His people, despite His name not being explicitly mentioned, and underscores the unity and identity of the scattered Jewish diaspora.

Esther 9 20 Word analysis

• And (וַיִּכְתֹּב - vayyikhtov): The Hebrew connective "and" often signals continuation or consequence. Here, it signifies Mordecai's proactive response following the success described in the preceding verses (9:1-19).
• Mordecai (מָרְדֳּכַי - Mordekhai): A significant Jewish figure in the Persian court, second only to King Ahasuerus. His name might have Babylonian origins (related to the god Marduk) but is consistently identified with Jewish faith and identity in the text. By this point, he has ascended to prime minister (Esth 8:2, 9:3-4, 10:3), lending immense authority to his actions. His initiative here marks him as a spiritual leader and preserver of Jewish heritage.
• wrote (כָּתַב - katav): This verb denotes the act of writing, recording, or documenting. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, written documents held official and permanent weight. Mordecai's act of writing is thus authoritative and serves to formalize the historical events, ensuring they are not forgotten but commemorated.
• these things: Refers to the whole narrative of deliverance—Haman's plot, the king's decree of destruction, Esther's intercession, Mordecai's counter-decree, the Jewish people's self-defense, and their ultimate triumph and celebratory feasting on the 14th and 15th of Adar (as described in Esther 9:1-19).
• and sent (וַיִּשְׁלַח - vayyishlach) letters (אִגְּרוֹת - iggerot): The verb "sent" indicates deliberate dispatch, while "letters" (similar to royal edicts, as used earlier in Esther) emphasizes their official, public, and binding nature. This was a critical administrative function in the Persian Empire for conveying royal or governmental instructions. Mordecai uses the existing infrastructure of the empire to reach all Jews.
• unto all the Jews: This phrase underscores the comprehensive and inclusive nature of Mordecai's message. It was intended for the entire scattered Jewish community throughout the vast Persian Empire, emphasizing their unity and shared experience of deliverance. This parallels Haman's earlier plot, which sought to destroy "all" Jews.
• that were in all the provinces (בְּכָל־מְדִינוֹת - b'khol medinot): "Provinces" were the administrative divisions of the Persian Empire (127 of them according to Esth 1:1, 8:9). This highlights the immense geographical spread of the Jewish diaspora. Mordecai ensures no community is left unaware of these crucial events.
• of the king Ahasuerus: Affirms the legal and official framework within which Mordecai operated. His authority derived from the king, ensuring the messages' reception and implementation across the empire's vast domain. Ahasuerus (Hebrew for Xerxes I) reigned over an expansive empire, allowing for widespread communication.
• both nigh (קָרוֹב - karov) and far (וָרָחוֹק - v'rachok): This dual expression is a common Hebrew idiom emphasizing totality and universality. It powerfully reinforces the comprehensive reach of Mordecai's communication, from communities close to the capital (Shushan) to those at the remotest ends of the empire, ensuring full dissemination of the news and subsequent instructions.

Esther 9 20 Bonus section

• Human Agency and Divine Providence: This verse exemplifies the interplay of human initiative and divine providence characteristic of the Book of Esther. While God's name is conspicuously absent, Mordecai's decisive human action in documenting and disseminating the deliverance is clearly inspired and guided, fulfilling God's overarching plan to preserve His people.
• Foundational Document for Purim: This letter, often referred to as Mordecai's "first letter" or "circular," is considered the earliest documented instruction for the observance of Purim, followed by Esther'9:29's "second letter." It sets the precedent for remembering God's salvific work not just passively, but actively through specific, commanded acts.
• Diaspora Identity and Unity: The act of sending letters to "all the Jews... both nigh and far" powerfully reinforces the concept of a unified Jewish identity despite their geographic dispersion. It helped to foster a sense of shared heritage, shared experience, and communal responsibility among the scattered exiles. This communication became a spiritual lifeline for maintaining their distinct culture and faith amidst a dominant Gentile empire.
• Counter-Narrative to Destruction: Just as Haman used letters and royal decrees to communicate a plot for total destruction, Mordecai utilizes the same channels to broadcast a message of life and celebration. This parallel underscores the ultimate victory of God's plan for preservation over humanity's plans for annihilation.

Esther 9 20 Commentary

Esther 9:20 marks a critical turning point in the book, moving from miraculous deliverance to its institutionalized remembrance. Mordecai, leveraging his elevated position and the existing royal communication system, takes the decisive step of formalizing the events that led to the salvation of the Jewish people. This action transcends a mere notification; by "writing these things and sending letters," he establishes an authoritative record and lays the groundwork for a communal obligation. This was not a private memo but an official dispatch meant to unify a scattered people around a shared experience of God's unseen but powerful intervention. The meticulous detailing of its reach ("all the Jews... in all the provinces... both nigh and far") underscores the universality of both the threat and the deliverance, and thus the universality of the ensuing celebration. It emphasizes the communal nature of their identity and fate, binding them together through a historical event divinely orchestrated for their preservation. This verse initiates the process of Purim's perpetual observance, ensuring that future generations would not forget the remarkable reversal of fortune and God's faithfulness in protecting His covenant people even when His name is absent from the narrative itself.