Esther 9:22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Esther 9:20-32

We may well imagine how much affected Mordecai and Esther were with the triumphs of the Jews over their enemies, and how they saw the issue of that decisive day with a satisfaction proportionable to the care and concern with which they expected it. How were their hearts enlarged with joy in God and his salvation, and what new songs of praise were put into their mouths! But here we are told what course they took to spread the knowledge of it among their people, and to perpetuate the remembrance... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Esther 9:22

As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies ,.... Having slain all those that rose up against them, and assaulted them: and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning unto a good day ; for in this month Adar, on the thirteenth day of it, they expected to have been all destroyed, which had occasioned great sorrow and mourning in them; but beyond their expectation, in the same month, and on the selfsame day of the month, they had deliverance and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:1-32

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:17-23

FESTIVAL HELD , AND FEAST OF PURIM INSTITUTED ( Esther 9:17-32 ). A natural instinct led the Jews, so soon as their triumph was accomplished, to indulge themselves in a day of rest and rejoicing ( Esther 9:17 ). After toil there is need of repose; and escape from a great danger is followed, almost of necessity, by "gladness." The writer of the Book of Esther, practising his usual reticence, says nothing of the character of the "gladness;" but we can scarcely be wrong in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:17-32

The effects of deliverance. Our narrative closes with a bright picture, in which all clouds are scattered; it is as sunshine after rain. Among the results of Israel's triumph we notice— I. REST . All the Jews in the empire, except those in Shushan, rested on the 14th of Adar. The Jews in Shushan, after their two days' conflict, rested on the 15th of Adar. Then all had rest. So utterly broken was the power of their enemies that they had rest not only from a past fear, but from anxiety... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:19-22

The elements of perfect joy. "A good day, and of sending portions one to another:.; days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor." Twice then, among the other particulars of the people's glad celebration of their deliverance from a savage massacre, is this detail included, that they sent "portions one to another;" and once it is added that they sent "gifts to the poor." This was no ancient prescription of the law, so far as literal command is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:20-22

The feast of Purim. Other Jewish festivals, as the passover and tabernacles, were instituted by express Divine authority. The feast of Purim was instituted by the authority of Mordecai and Esther. Yet its observance was undoubtedly sanctioned by the God whose merciful interposition it commemorated. The festival has been observed by the Jews from that day to this; the observance consisting of a preliminary fast; of a sacred assembly in the synagogue, when the Megillah (or roll) of the Book... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:21-31

The religion of national gratitude. Mordecai and Esther were not the people to receive great blessings and then at once to forget them. We not unfrequently see those who have had hair-breadth escapes from the worst of calamities recover in a moment their previous light and jaunty spirits. They seem insensible to the risk which had so imperilled them, and certainly are not grateful for the mercy which had rescued them. They do not return either to give thanks to man or glory to God. It is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:22

The month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy . This was the key-note of Purina, the dominant idea, to which all else was secondary and sub-ordinate—sorrow turned into joy, "mourning into dancing," utter destruction into a signal triumph. Psalms 30:1-12 . might well have been written at this time. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Esther 9:22

Sending portions and gifts. This usage is quite a carrying out of the principle of the Divine law, which prescribed remembrance of the widow and fatherless upon those who were prosperous in Israel. We find an interesting parallel to the present passage in Nehemiah: when the law had been read and expounded in the hearing of the people, they "went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth." These presents were sent by the people to one another in... read more

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