Esther 9:22
What does Esther 9:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:22 means
Mordecai defines Purim’s purpose: to remember the days when the Jews gained rest from enemies and when their month turned “from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day.” He prescribes how to celebrate—feasting, gladness, sending portions to one another, and gifts to the poor. The practices aim outward as well as inward: joy shared with friends and provision for the needy. The feast is thus both remembrance and mercy. It preserves the memory of reversal and trains the people in generosity. The poor are included, ensuring that the deliverance benefits all, not just the fortunate.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000as the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901as the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949As days on which the Jews had rest from their haters, and the month which for them was turned from sorrow to joy, and from weeping to a good day: and that they were to keep them as days of feasting and joy, of sending offerings to one another and good things to the poor.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862as days on which the Jews have rested from their enemies, and the month that hath been turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning to a good day, to make them days of banquet and of joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the needy.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because on those days the Jews revenged themselves of their enemies, and their mourning and sorrow were turned into mirth and joy, and that these should be days of feasting and gladness, in which they should send one to another portions of meats, and should give gifts to the poor.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890as the days on which the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month that was turned to them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
Context
Verse 22 provides the theological and practical core of Purim: rest after oppression and joy after mourning, expressed through communal sharing and charity. Having set the meaning and customs, the narrative will report that the Jews embrace this direction (v. 23) and explain the historical rationale in more detail (vv. 24–25), including Haman’s plot and the king’s countermeasures. Then the name Purim is given its explanation (v. 26), and the people formally bind themselves and their descendants to keep these days perpetually (vv. 27–28).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 16:20
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
- Isaiah 12:1
And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me.
- Psalms 103:2
Bless Jehovah, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
- Esther 3:12
Then were the king’s scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof; and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king’s satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king’s ring.
- Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
- Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.