Esther 9:23
What does Esther 9:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:23 means
The Jews agree to observe what they had already begun to do and what Mordecai had written. Their acceptance is willing and corporate. They align practice with command, embracing the feast not as a passing mood but as a covenantal commitment for their community life. The phrase “as they had begun” shows that the institution of Purim grows out of genuine gratitude already expressed. The letters do not create joy; they channel it, ensuring it endures. This harmonizing of spontaneous celebration and formal ordinance strengthens the unity of the dispersed people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Jews gave their word to go on as they had been doing and as Mordecai had given them orders in writing;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the Jews have received that which they had begun to do, and that which Mordecai hath written unto them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Jews undertook to observe with solemnity all they had begun to do at that time, which Mardochai by letters had commanded to be done.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written to them.
Context
With the content of Purim laid out (vv. 21–22), verse 23 records the people’s positive response. This sets the stage for verses 24–26, which supply the historical rationale—Haman’s lot-casting and the reversal ordered by the king—leading to the feast’s name. Then verses 27–28 will formalize the obligation across generations. Finally, verses 29–32 add the authoritative confirmation from Esther and Mordecai, ensuring that what the people have undertaken is recognized and reinforced at the highest level.
v.22as 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.
v.23This passage
v.24because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;