Esther 9:26
What does Esther 9:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:26 means
The feast is called Purim, after Pur—the lot Haman cast. Naming the days after the enemy’s chosen device transforms a symbol of intended doom into one of remembered deliverance. The verse cites two bases for this naming: the words of Mordecai’s letter and what the Jews themselves saw and experienced. Both written testimony and lived history agree. Thus the title Purim is not arbitrary but deeply tied to the story’s turning point. By keeping these days, the people annually proclaim that what was meant for their destruction was overruled for their good.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore they called these days Purim, after the name of Pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come unto them,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore they called these days Purim, after the name of Pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come unto them,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So these days were named Purim, after the name of Pur. And so, because of the words of this letter, and of what they had seen in connection with this business, and what had come to them,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862therefore they have called these days Purim--by the name of the lot--therefore, because of all the words of this letter, and what they have seen concerning this, and what hath come unto them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And since that time these days are called Phurim, that is, of lots: because Phur, that is, the lot, was cast into the urn. And all things that were done, are contained in the volume of this epistle, that is, of this book:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore, according to all the words of this letter, and for what they had seen concerning this matter and what had happened to them,
Context
Building on verses 24–25, which recall Haman’s plot and its reversal, verse 26 explains the name Purim and roots it in both documentary and experiential evidence. This paves the way for verses 27–28, where the Jews bind themselves and any who join them to keep these days throughout generations. The narrative is moving from explanation to obligation, ensuring that the meaning embedded in the name Purim is carried forward by concrete, regular observance among all the dispersed communities.
v.25but when the matter came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
v.26This passage
v.27the Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof, and according to the appointed time thereof, every year;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 9:20
And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
- Ezekiel 39:11
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place for burial in Israel, the valley of them that pass through on the east of the sea; and it shall stop them that pass through: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude; and they shall call it The valley of Hamon-gog.
- Numbers 16:40
to be a memorial unto the children of Israel, to the end that no stranger, that is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to burn incense before Jehovah; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as Jehovah spake unto him by Moses.