19 Therefore the Jews H3064 of the villages, H6521 that dwelt H3427 in the unwalled H6519 towns, H5892 made H6213 the fourteenth H702 H6240 day H3117 of the month H2320 Adar H143 a day of gladness H8057 and feasting, H4960 and a good H2896 day, H3117 and of sending H4916 portions H4490 one H376 to another. H7453
And in every province, H4082 and in every city, H5892 whithersoever H4725 the king's H4428 commandment H1697 and his decree H1881 came, H5060 the Jews H3064 had joy H8057 and gladness, H8342 a feast H4960 and a good H2896 day. H3117 And many H7227 of the people H5971 of the land H776 became Jews; H3054 for the fear H6343 of the Jews H3064 fell H5307 upon them.
As the days H3117 wherein the Jews H3064 rested H5117 from their enemies, H341 and the month H2320 which was turned H2015 unto them from sorrow H3015 to joy, H8057 and from mourning H60 into a good H2896 day: H3117 that they should make H6213 them days H3117 of feasting H4960 and joy, H8057 and of sending H4916 portions H4490 one H376 to another, H7453 and gifts H4979 to the poor. H34
And G2532 they that dwell G2730 upon G1909 the earth G1093 shall rejoice G5463 over G1909 them, G846 and G2532 make merry, G2165 and G2532 shall send G3992 gifts G1435 one to another; G240 because G3754 these G3778 two G1417 prophets G4396 tormented G928 them that dwelt G2730 on G1909 the earth. G1093
And thou shalt rejoice H8055 before H6440 the LORD H3068 thy God, H430 thou, and thy son, H1121 and thy daughter, H1323 and thy manservant, H5650 and thy maidservant, H519 and the Levite H3881 that is within thy gates, H8179 and the stranger, H1616 and the fatherless, H3490 and the widow, H490 that are among H7130 you, in the place H4725 which the LORD H3068 thy God H430 hath chosen H977 to place H7931 his name H8034 there.
And thou shalt rejoice H8055 in thy feast, H2282 thou, and thy son, H1121 and thy daughter, H1323 and thy manservant, H5650 and thy maidservant, H519 and the Levite, H3881 the stranger, H1616 and the fatherless, H3490 and the widow, H490 that are within thy gates. H8179
Then he said H559 unto them, Go your way, H3212 eat H398 the fat, H4924 and drink H8354 the sweet, H4477 and send H7971 portions H4490 unto them for whom nothing is prepared: H3559 for this day H3117 is holy H6918 unto our Lord: H113 neither be ye sorry; H6087 for the joy H2304 of the LORD H3068 is your strength. H4581 So the Levites H3881 stilled H2814 all the people, H5971 saying, H559 Hold your peace, H2013 for the day H3117 is holy; H6918 neither be ye grieved. H6087 And all the people H5971 went their way H3212 to eat, H398 and to drink, H8354 and to send H7971 portions, H4490 and to make H6213 great H1419 mirth, H8057 because they had understood H995 the words H1697 that were declared H3045 unto them.
All these cities H5892 were fenced H1219 with high H1364 walls, H2346 gates, H1817 and bars; H1280 beside unwalled H6521 towns H5892 a great H3966 many. H7235
They compassed me about; H5437 yea, they compassed me about: H5437 but in the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 I will destroy H4135 them. They compassed me about H5437 like bees; H1682 they are quenched H1846 as the fire H784 of thorns: H6975 for in the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 I will destroy H4135 them. Thou hast thrust H1760 sore H1760 at me that I might fall: H5307 but the LORD H3068 helped H5826 me. The LORD H3050 is my strength H5797 and song, H2176 and is become my salvation. H3444 The voice H6963 of rejoicing H7440 and salvation H3444 is in the tabernacles H168 of the righteous: H6662 the right hand H3225 of the LORD H3068 doeth H6213 valiantly. H2428 The right hand H3225 of the LORD H3068 is exalted: H7426 the right hand H3225 of the LORD H3068 doeth H6213 valiantly. H2428
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Esther 9
Commentary on Esther 9 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 9
We left two royal edicts in force, both given at the court of Shushan, one bearing date the thirteenth day of the first month, appointing that on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month then next ensuing all the Jews should be killed; another bearing date the twenty-third day of the third month, empowering the Jews, on the day appointed for their slaughter, to draw the sword in their own defence and make their part good against their enemies as well as they could. Great expectation there was, no doubt, of this day, and the issue of it. The Jews' cause was to be tried by battle and the day was fixed for the combat by authority. Their enemies resolved not to lose the advantages given them by the first edict, in hope to overpower them by numbers; the Jews relied on the goodness of their God and the justice of their cause, and resolved to make their utmost efforts against their enemies. The day comes at length; and here we are told,
Est 9:1-19
We have here a decisive battle fought between the Jews and their enemies, in which the Jews were victorious. Neither side was surprised; for both had notice of it long enough before, so that it was a fair trial of skill between them. Nor could either side call the other rebels, for they were both supported by the royal authority.
Est 9:20-32
We may well imagine how much affected Mordecai and Esther were with the triumphs of the Jews over their enemies, and how they saw the issue of that decisive day with a satisfaction proportionable to the care and concern with which they expected it. How were their hearts enlarged with joy in God and his salvation, and what new songs of praise were put into their mouths! But here we are told what course they took to spread the knowledge of it among their people, and to perpetuate the remembrance of it to posterity, for the honour of God and the encouragement of his people to trust in him at all times.