Esther 9:29

“Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.”

Context: The book of Esther tells the story of a young Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen of Persia and plays a pivotal role in saving her people from destruction. This verse is found towards the end of the book, after the Jews have successfully defended themselves against those who sought to annihilate them.

Celebrating Purim: The verse mentions a second letter of Purim. Purim is a Jewish festival that commemorates the events described in the book of Esther. It is a joyous celebration of deliverance and survival. The second letter mentioned here indicates that Esther and Mordecai were affirming and reinforcing the importance of celebrating Purim as an annual festival.

Authorship: Esther the queen, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote the letter. This highlights the partnership and collaboration between Esther and Mordecai in preserving the Jewish people. Esther’s role as queen allowed her to exercise authority and influence, and she used her position to advocate for her people.

Authority: The verse states that Esther and Mordecai wrote “with all authority.” This suggests that their words carried great weight and were binding. It emphasizes the significance of their message and their ability to enforce it. They had the authority to establish and confirm the celebration of Purim.

Significance: The letter was written to confirm the celebration of Purim, ensuring its ongoing observance among the Jewish people. Purim serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in delivering His people from destruction. By establishing it as an annual festival, Esther and Mordecai ensured that future generations would remember and celebrate God’s intervention.