Esther 9:23
◄  Esther 9:23  ►
New International Version (©2011)
So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them.

New Living Translation (©2007)
So the Jews accepted Mordecai's proposal and adopted this annual custom.

English Standard Version (©2001)
So the Jews accepted what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Thus the Jews undertook what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
So the Jews agreed to continue the practice they had begun, as Mordecai had written them to do.

International Standard Version (©2012)
So the Jewish people made a tradition out of what they had begun to do and of what Mordecai had written to them,

NET Bible (©2006)
So the Jews committed themselves to continue what they had begun to do and to what Mordecai had written to them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
So the Jews accepted as tradition what they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;

American King James Version
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written to them;

American Standard Version
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;

Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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.

Darby Bible Translation
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written to them.

English Revised Version
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written to them;

World English Bible
The Jews accepted the custom that they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them;

Young's Literal Translation
And the Jews have received that which they had begun to do, and that which Mordecai hath written unto them,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:20-32 The observance of the Jewish feasts, is a public declaration of the truth of the Old Testament Scriptures. And as the Old Testament Scriptures are true, the Messiah expected by the Jews is come long ago; and none but Jesus of Nazareth can be that Messiah. The festival was appointed by authority, yet under the direction of the Spirit of God. It was called the feast of Purim, from a Persian word, which signifies a lot. The name of this festival would remind them of the almighty power of the God of Israel, who served his own purposes by the superstitions of the heathen. In reviewing our mercies, we should advert to former fears and distresses. When our mercies are personal, we should not by forgetfulness lose the comfort of them, or withhold from the Lord the glory due to his name. May the Lord teach us to rejoice, with that holy joy which anticipates and prepares for the blessedness of heaven. Every instance of Divine goodness to ourselves, is a new obligation laid on us to do good, to those especially who most need our bounty. Above all, redemption by Christ binds us to be merciful, 2Co 8:9.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - The Jews undertook to do as they had begun. i.e. "to observe the 14th day." And as Mordecai had written to them. i.e. "and to observe also the 15th."

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them. They engaged to keep these two days as festivals annually, as they had at this time done; not in a religious but in a civil way, not as parts of religious worship, and as additions to and innovations of the law, but by way of commemoration of a civil benefit which they had received; and yet we find in later times that this was scrupled by some as an innovation; for we are told (r) that there were eighty five elders, and more than thirty of them prophets, who were distressed about this matter, fearing it was an innovation.

(r) T. Hieros. Megillah. fol. 70. 4.

Esther 9:23 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


The Feast of Purim Instituted
…22As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which 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. 23And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written to them; 24Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; …

Esther 9:22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
Esther 9:24 For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction.