And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

ESTHER 9:28KJV
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Esther 9:28 (KJV)

What does Esther 9:28 mean?

Esther 9:28 says that the days of Purim should be remembered and celebrated by every generation of Jewish people, in every family and community, so that the memory of these events will never be forgotten among their descendants. The verse emphasizes that this remembrance should be ongoing and never allowed to fade away.

In the story, this instruction comes after the Jewish people are saved from destruction in Persia, and Queen Esther and Mordecai are establishing Purim as a lasting holiday. The verse stresses the importance of passing down the story and the celebration, making sure it is observed everywhere Jews live, so that the lessons and gratitude of Purim are never lost.

The Hebrew behind Esther 9:28

  • "Remembered" (זָכַר, zakar): This word means to recall or bring to mind. Here, it highlights the active effort to keep the story of Purim alive, not just as a tradition but as a living memory.
  • "Kept" (עָשָׂה, asah): This word often means to do or make. In this context, it means to observe or celebrate, showing that Purim is not just to be remembered in thought, but also practiced in action.
  • "Generation" (דּוֹר, dor): This word means a period of people living at the same time. The verse's use of "throughout every generation" underlines that Purim is meant to be a permanent part of Jewish life, not just for those who experienced the events firsthand.
  • "Memorial" (זִכָּרוֹן, zikkaron): This word refers to something that causes people to remember. Here, it means that Purim itself is to serve as a memorial, a concrete reminder of deliverance.

Why Esther 9:28 matters

  • Esther 9:28 clarifies that Purim is not just a one-time celebration but a perpetual observance meant to unite Jewish people across time and place.
  • The verse stresses the importance of collective memory and shared identity, showing how traditions help preserve a people's history and values.
  • By instructing every family, province, and city to remember Purim, the verse connects the local and the global Jewish community, making the holiday a universal bond among Jews everywhere.

Where else these words appear

“Purim” Hebrew H6332 · used in 7 verses

  • Esther 3:7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
  • Esther 9:26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
  • Esther 9:31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.

“perish” Hebrew H5486 · used in 7 verses

  • Psalms 73:19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
  • Jeremiah 8:13 I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
  • Zephaniah 1:2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.

“memorial” Hebrew H2143 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
  • Psalms 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
  • Psalms 135:13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

“province” 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.