Esther 9:18
What does Esther 9:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:18 means
In Shushan, the sequence differs: the Jews assemble on the thirteenth and fourteenth, but rest and celebrate on the fifteenth. The capital’s extra day reflects Esther’s specific request and the king’s decree for Shushan. This establishes the two-fold observance that will characterize Purim: one date for most communities and a day later for those in the capital (and later, walled cities). The emphasis again is on feasting and gladness as fitting responses to deliverance. The distinct timeline does not divide the people; it honors the particular circumstances faced in the political center.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But the Jews that were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But the Jews that were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the Jews in Shushan came together on the thirteenth and on the fourteenth day of the month; and on the fifteenth day they took their rest, and made it a day of feasting and joy.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the Jews who <FI>are<Fi> in Shushan have been assembled, on the thirteenth day of it, and on the fourteenth of it, even to rest on the fifteenth of it, and to make it a day of banquet and of joy.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But they that were killing in the city of Susan, were employed in the slaughter on the thirteenth and fourteenth day of the same month: and on the fifteenth day they rested. And therefore they appointed that day to be a holy day of feasting and gladness.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the Jews that were at Shushan gathered themselves together on the thirteenth [day] thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and joy.
Context
Verse 18 provides the necessary counterpart to verse 17. The reader now understands why two days will be kept. With both patterns in view, verse 19 will describe how villagers particularly observe the fourteenth, including exchanging portions. This bridge from chronology to custom sets up Mordecai’s formal letters (vv. 20–22), which articulate the meaning and practices of Purim for all communities. The chapter is moving from narrative victory to instituted remembrance, ensuring that what happened in Shushan becomes a permanent lesson for every province.
v.17This was doneon the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
v.18This passage
v.19Therefore do the Jews of the villages, that dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 9:11
On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.
- Esther 9:13
Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
- Esther 9:15
And the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men in Shushan; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.
- Esther 9:21
to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
- Esther 9:1
Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them (whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them),