Study notes

Esther 9

Introducing EstherWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

8:3–10:3 Section

Haman’s orders to destroy the Jews couldn’t be stopped. But Xerxes allowed Esther and Mordecai to write a new order. This was the help for the Jews that Mordecai had talked about. It was how they were rescued from being destroyed.

The order that Mordecai wrote was very different from Haman’s orders. It wasn’t based on anger or on attacking and robbing other people groups. It was based on protecting the Jews. Mordecai’s order allowed the Jews to fight to protect themselves if they were attacked. They could do this on the 13th day of the 12th month. That was the day that Haman’s orders required everyone to kill the Jews.

Because of the new order, few people in Persia followed Haman’s orders. Instead, officials in the Persian government helped the Jews. Only enemies who were trying to destroy the Jews attacked them. The Jews had success in fighting against those enemies. In the city of Susa, the fighting continued for an extra day.

Mordecai’s order allowed the Jews to take what belonged to those who attacked them. But they didn’t do that. Instead, they gave presents to one another and to people who were poor. That was one way that the Jews celebrated that they had been rescued. This time of celebration became the Feast of Purim.

Mordecai’s order led to peace and rest for the Jews in Persia. Mordecai had almost as much authority in Persia as Xerxes did. He used his authority to do what was good for all of God’s people.

9:1

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month: When the day came, many enemies of the Jews wanted to fulfill Haman's wishes.

9:3–4

People saw that Mordecai was the leader, so they knew opposing him was unwise.

9:5

put all their enemies to the sword: It was not an attack on defenseless people or a ruthless killing spree. Instead, it was a successful self-defense against their attackers. The phrase here echoes Haman’s original decree (Esther 3:12).

9:6

Most people in the fortress of Susa supported Mordecai. The Jews killed 500 men, likely including Haman's relatives and close supporters, in a small revolt.

9:7–10

They killed these ten sons of Haman: Everything Haman had boasted about (Esther 5:11) was gone, including his ten sons.

9:10

but they did not lay a hand on the plunder: Although taking plunder from attackers was allowed (Esther 8:11), the Jews did not want the tainted wealth of Haman’s sons. Many years earlier, Abram had refused his share of the plunder from the king of Sodom (Genesis 14:21–23).

9:12

If the king had been upset by the high numbers, he would not have allowed more fighting (Esther 9:14–15). It is more likely that the king was surprised by how many people supported Haman and opposed Mordecai's new leadership. He was concerned about the empire's political stability.

9:13

Esther might have known that some people in Susa who attacked Jews on the first day escaped. They could be planning more attacks to avenge Haman's death.

9:14

So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa: The king did not want fighting groups in the palace planning to kill each other.

9:15

Once again, the Jews chose the high moral ground and did not take any plunder from their enemies, even though it was legally allowed (Esther 8:11; 9:10).

9:16

75,000 seems like a large number. The Old Greek translation mentions 15,000, and the Targum notes 10,107 men. The Hebrew word translated as thousands can also mean an extended family or lineage. So, it is possible that 75 extended families were killed.

9:17

they rested, making it a day of feasting and joy: Although God is not mentioned, they likely thanked God for their rescue. This marked the start of a new festival, later called Purim (Esther 9:19–32).

9:19

The annual festival and holiday of Purim celebrates God's blessing of peace from their enemies (see Deuteronomy 25:19; Joshua 21:44; 1 Samuel 7:11–14). The narrator notes that the festival was celebrated up to that time. Now, more than 2,400 years later, Jewish people still celebrate it every year.
The exchange of food gifts showed the people's unity and care for each other. It also helped spread joy during the festival.