Esther 9 · Verse 20

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,
Esther 9:20, King James Version

Esther 9:20 in other translations

BSBMordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Xerxes, both near and far,
WEBMordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus, both near and far,
ASVAnd 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,
YLTAnd Mordecai writeth these things, and sendeth letters unto all the Jews who are in all provinces of the king Ahasuerus, who are near and who are far off,
DARBYAnd Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews near and far that were in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus,
BBEAnd Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in every division of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, near and far,
WebsterAnd Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

What does Esther 9:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Es 9:20-32. The Two Days of Purim Made Festival.

20. Mordecai wrote these things--Commentators are not agreed what is particularly meant by "these things"; whether the letters following, or an account of these marvellous events to be preserved in the families of the Jewish people, and transmitted from one generation to another.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 Mordecai wrote these things - It has been supposed that thus far that part of the book of Esther, which was written by Mordecai extends: what follows to the end, was probably added either by Ezra, or the men of the Great Synagogue; though what is said here may refer only to the letters sent by Mordecai to the Jews of the provinces. From this to the end of the chapter is nothing else than a recapitulation of the chief heads of the preceding history, and an account of the appointment of an annual feast, called the feast of Purim, in commemoration of their providential deliverance from the malice of Haman.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Esther 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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Esther 9:20 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיִּכְתֹּ֣בvai.yikh.Toand he wroteH3789
מָרְדֳּכַ֔יma.re.do.KhaiMordecaiH4782
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
הַדְּבָרִ֖יםha.de.va.Rimthe wordsH1697
הָאֵ֑לֶּהha.'E.leh<the> theseH428
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨חvai.yish.Lachand he sent outH7971
סְפָרִ֜יםse.fa.RimlettersH5612
אֶל\־'el-toH413
כָּל\־kol-allH3605
הַיְּהוּדִ֗יםhai.ye.hu.Dimthe JewsH3064
אֲשֶׁר֙'a.SherwhoH834
בְּכָל\־be.khol[were] in allH3605
מְדִינוֹת֙me.di.nOt[the] provinces ofH4082
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְha.Me.lekhthe kingH4428
אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ'a.chash.ve.Ro.oshAhasuerusH325
הַקְּרוֹבִ֖יםha.ke.ro.Vim<the> nearH7138
וְהָרְחוֹקִֽים\׃ve.ha.re.cho.Kimand <the> farH7350

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Esther 9:20

  • Psalms 145:4-12

    One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. …

  • Esther 3:12

    Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.

  • Esther 1:22

    For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.

  • Exodus 17:14

    And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

  • Psalms 124:1-3

    A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

  • 2 Corinthians 1:10-11

    Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

  • Deuteronomy 31:19-22

    Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.

  • Esther 1:1

    Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

  • Esther 8:9

    Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:12

    Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Mordecai.That is, as the words imply, the history contained in this book; and not merely the letters afterwards mentioned, as some understand it.
wrote these.
Ex 17:14; De 31:19-22; 1Ch 16:12; Ps 124:1-3; 145:4-12
2Co 1:10,11
in all the provinces.
1:1,22; 3:12; 8:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Esther 9:19

    Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

  • 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,

  • Esther 9:21

    To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,

Read all of Esther 9

Esther 9:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y escribió Mardochêo estas cosas, y envió letras á todos los Judíos que estaban en todas las provincias del rey Assuero, cercanos y distantes,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et Mardochée écrivit ces choses et envoya des lettres à tous les Juifs qui étaient dans toutes les provinces du roi Assuérus, à ceux qui étaient près et à ceux qui étaient loin,
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und Mordokai schrieb diese Begebenheiten auf. Und er sandte Briefe an alle Juden, in allen Landschaften des Königs Ahasveros, die nahen und die fernen,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Scripsit itaque Mardochæus omnia hæc, et litteris comprehensa misit ad Judæos qui in omnibus regis provinciis morabantur, tam in vicino positis, quam procul,