Esther 9:23

23. Undertook to do as they had begun They heartily accepted and adopted Mordecai’s proposal, and resolved to perpetuate what they had in fact already begun, namely, resting, feasting, and rejoicing on the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar. Compare Esther 9:17-18. Thus it seems Mordecai’s letters (Esther 9:20) contained a proposal for the Jews of the empire either to adopt or reject. They at once adopted the proposal, and “ordained” (Esther 9:27) the observance of these two days; whereupon Esther and Mordecai issued a “second letter,” (Esther 9:29,) which was more of the nature of an authoritative proclamation, confirming and establishing the feast of Purim.