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 9:20KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“Ahasuerus” Hebrew H325 · used in 30 verses

  • Ezra 4:6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
  • Esther 2:1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
  • Esther 7:5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

“provinces” Hebrew H4082 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Kings 20:14 And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
  • Esther 2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
  • Esther 9:2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.

“Mordecai” Hebrew H4782 · used in 52 verses

  • Ezra 2:2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
  • Esther 4:4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
  • Esther 6:11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

“Jews” Hebrew H3064 · used in 70 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.
  • Esther 6:10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
  • Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.