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.
ESTHER 9:31KJVWhat does Esther 9:31 mean?
Esther 9:31 describes how the Jewish people confirmed the observance of the festival of Purim at set times, following the instructions given by Mordecai and Queen Esther, including the practices of fasting and crying out in prayer. This verse shows that these customs were established not just for that generation, but also for their descendants.
In the story, Mordecai and Esther are leading the Jewish community after their deliverance from danger in Persia. They are making sure everyone understands how and when to celebrate Purim, a new festival remembering their rescue. The verse also mentions fasting and crying out, highlighting that Purim is connected to both joy and the serious prayers that came before their deliverance.
The Hebrew behind Esther 9:31
- פוּרִים (Purim, H6332): This word means "lots," referring to the lots cast by Haman to choose the date for the Jews’ destruction. Naming the festival "Purim" ties the celebration directly to the events that led to their salvation.
- צוֹם (fastings, H6685): This word refers to periods of not eating, usually as a sign of mourning or seeking God’s help. Including "fastings" in the decree shows that Purim remembers both the sorrow and the joy of the story.
- זַעֲקָה (cry, H2201): This word means a loud cry or outcry, often in distress or prayer. Mentioning "their cry" connects the festival to the desperate prayers the Jews made before their deliverance.
Why Esther 9:31 matters
- Esther 9:31 clarifies that Purim was not just a spontaneous celebration but a carefully established tradition, with specific practices and timing, set for all future generations.
- The verse emphasizes that Purim includes both celebration and remembrance of the hardship—fasting and crying out in prayer—showing the full emotional journey of the Jewish people in this story.
- By mentioning Mordecai and Esther’s authority, the verse connects the festival’s observance to respected leaders, giving the tradition weight and legitimacy among the people.