Esther 9 30

Esther 9:30 kjv

And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,

Esther 9:30 nkjv

And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews, to the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,

Esther 9:30 niv

And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes' kingdom?words of goodwill and assurance?

Esther 9:30 esv

Letters were sent to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth,

Esther 9:30 nlt

Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes.

Esther 9 verses

Esther 9 30 Meaning

This verse signifies the official and authoritative dissemination of the decree by Mordecai, reinforced by Queen Esther's full authority, to establish the annual celebration of Purim across the entire Persian Empire. These vital communications, addressed to all Jews within the kingdom's one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, carried profound messages of "peace" and "truth," assuring them of their secure standing and confirming the authentic, lasting nature of their deliverance from Haman's genocidal plot.

Esther 9 30 Context

Esther chapter 9 records the climactic events following Haman's failed plot against the Jews. Verses 1-19 describe the Jews' self-defense against their enemies on the appointed days, resulting in their decisive victory. Building upon this deliverance, verses 20-32 detail the formal establishment and reinforcement of the annual Feast of Purim. Verse 30 specifically describes the wide-scale communication by Mordecai and Esther to ensure the permanent observance of this joyous feast, emphasizing the crucial details of its propagation and the very nature of its message. Historically, the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) was vast, requiring extensive administrative networks to govern its many diverse populations. The use of royal decrees and letters was the primary method of communication and legal enforcement, making their contents profoundly impactful for those under the king's dominion.

Esther 9 30 Word analysis

• And he sent letters: The subject "he" refers to Mordecai (implied from the preceding verses like v.20), whose actions are now fully authorized by Queen Esther (v.29). "Sent" (שלח - shalach) implies an official dispatch. "Letters" (אגרות - ʾiggěrōt) denotes formal, written decrees or documents of state, distinguishing them from informal notes. This emphasizes the official, binding, and wide-reaching nature of the communication, crucial for establishing a new religious observance.
• unto all the Jews: This highlights the universal scope of the decree's recipients. The Jews, who were previously targeted for extermination throughout the empire, now receive a unified message of affirmation and instruction for their deliverance. It stresses the comprehensive impact of God's reversal.
• to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus: This reiterates the immense geographical extent of the Persian Empire (cf. Est 1:1), covering diverse lands and peoples. The repetition underscores the king's vast dominion and, by extension, the far-reaching nature of this new, saving decree. It shows that no Jewish community, no matter how remote, was overlooked.
• with words of peace and truth: This is a key phrase embodying the message's essence and the desired outcome.
  • Peace (שלום - shalom): This is not merely the absence of conflict but signifies holistic well-being, wholeness, prosperity, security, favor, and completeness. For a people who had just faced total annihilation, shalom would encompass restoration, safety, and a secure future. It indicates that the previous threat has been decisively nullified, and a new state of order and security has been established for them.
  • Truth (אמת - ʾemet): Denotes reliability, faithfulness, firmness, stability, authenticity, and justice. The message is therefore presented as genuine, reliable, and permanently valid, standing in stark contrast to Haman's deceptive accusations. It underscores the just nature of the outcome and the enduring reality of God's faithful preservation of His people.
• Words of peace and truth (as a phrase): This combination is highly significant in the Old Testament, often paired to describe divine attributes (e.g., Psa 85:10) or ideal characteristics of righteous governance and relationships (e.g., Zech 8:16). Here, it signifies that the communication carries not just information, but divine blessing, reassurance, and establishment of a new, just order for the Jewish people. It conveys not only the absence of threat but the positive presence of secure existence rooted in reliability.

Esther 9 30 Bonus section

• The fact that Esther confirmed the decree "with all authority" (v. 29) adds a layer of absolute legitimacy and irrevocability to Mordecai's action in sending these letters, making this instruction for Purim observances uniquely binding.
• The detailed administrative action of sending letters throughout all 127 provinces emphasizes the sheer scale of the Persian Empire and, implicitly, the magnitude of the deliverance God had orchestrated for His people scattered across such a vast territory.
• The concepts of "peace and truth" also reflect aspects of a divine covenant. When God makes a covenant, it is often characterized by His steadfast love and faithfulness (hesed v'emet), which brings wholeness and well-being to His people. This subtly links the security of the Jews to a divinely grounded reality.

Esther 9 30 Commentary

Esther 9:30 concisely details the authoritative and comprehensive implementation of the Purim festival across the vast Persian Empire. Mordecai, empowered by Queen Esther's decree, ensured that these crucial "letters" (royal, formal mandates) reached every single Jewish community within Ahasuerus's immense kingdom. The choice of language for these letters—"with words of peace and truth"—is profoundly significant. "Peace" (shalom) offered holistic restoration and security to a people recently delivered from a decree of genocide, symbolizing well-being, safety, and a cessation of fear. "Truth" (emet) emphasized the reliable, firm, and just nature of this new order, contrasting sharply with the deceitful intentions of Haman's earlier decree. While the book of Esther famously does not mention God directly, these terms implicitly echo divine characteristics and His providential working through human instruments. This verse powerfully portrays the secure establishment of God's people within the secular empire, their safety founded not just on human law, but on divinely orchestrated reversal, ensuring stability and a future through upright, genuine declarations.