Esther 9:21 (KJV)

What does Esther 9:21 mean?

Esther 9:21 describes how Mordecai instructed the Jewish people to celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar every year. This was to establish an annual observance in memory of their deliverance from danger in Persia.

In this verse, Mordecai is sending a message to all the Jews throughout the Persian Empire after their victory over their enemies. He is setting up the festival that would become known as Purim, marking specific days for celebration and remembrance. The verse shows the beginning of a new tradition rooted in a historical event for the Jewish people.

The Hebrew behind Esther 9:21

• "stablish" (קוּם, qum): This word means to set up, confirm, or establish something firmly. Here, it emphasizes that Mordecai wanted this observance to be a lasting, official part of Jewish life.
• "keep" (עָשָׂה, asah): This word often means to do, make, or observe. In this context, it highlights the active participation expected—this is not just a suggestion, but something to be carried out every year.
• "yearly" (שָׁנָה, shanah, repeated): The repetition of the word for "year" in Hebrew stresses that this is to be an ongoing, perpetual observance, not a one-time event.

Why Esther 9:21 matters

• Esther 9:21 clarifies that the celebration of Purim was not just a spontaneous reaction but was intentionally set up as a permanent commemoration.
• The verse shows Mordecai’s leadership in uniting the Jewish people around a shared memory and identity, even while living in exile.
• By specifying the exact days and making it a yearly observance, the verse connects the story of Esther to a lasting tradition that continues to be observed by Jews today.