Esther 9:20 (KJV)

What does Esther 9:20 mean?

Esther 9:20 describes how Mordecai wrote down the events that had happened and sent letters to all the Jewish people throughout King Ahasuerus’s provinces, whether they lived nearby or far away. This verse shows Mordecai taking action to communicate with the entire Jewish community after the events of Purim.

Mordecai is the main Jewish leader in the story, and he is making sure that all Jews, no matter where they live in the Persian Empire, receive the same message. The verse sets the stage for the official establishment of the Purim celebration, showing how the events were recorded and shared widely so everyone would remember and participate.

The Hebrew behind Esther 9:20

• "wrote" (כָּתַב, kātav): This word means to write or record. Mordecai is not just remembering but formally recording the events, giving them lasting importance.
• "letters" (סֵפֶר, sefer): The word used here means written documents or letters. This shows that Mordecai used official, written communication, which would have carried authority and reached people across the vast empire.
• "Jews" (יְהוּדִים, yehudim): This term refers specifically to the Jewish people, emphasizing that the message was for the entire Jewish community, regardless of their location.
• "provinces" (מְדִינָה, medinah): This word refers to administrative regions in the Persian Empire, highlighting the wide reach of Mordecai’s message to Jews in every part of the kingdom.

Why Esther 9:20 matters

• Esther 9:20 clarifies that the events of Purim were not just remembered by word of mouth but were officially recorded and communicated, giving them a formal place in Jewish life.
• The verse shows Mordecai’s leadership and concern for unity among the Jewish people, making sure everyone, near or far, was included in the new tradition.
• This action connects to the larger story by explaining how the celebration of Purim became an established, community-wide observance, not just a local or temporary event.