Esther 9:27

The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;

Esther 9:27 (KJV)

Context

Esther tells how a Jewish queen in Persia saved her people from a plot to destroy them. This verse closes that story after the Jews gained the right to defend themselves. Here the community formally establishes a yearly custom to remember their deliverance.

Meaning

The Jews “ordained, and took upon them” a binding practice. The wording shows a voluntary, self-imposed promise, not a command from above. They accepted this duty for themselves, their children, and all who joined them, so that it “should not fail.” The phrase “according to their writing” points to a written record that set the pattern. “Appointed time every year” fixed the celebration on the calendar, ensuring it would be repeated faithfully. This was a formal, communal decision, showing their collective resolve to remember God’s faithfulness.

Biblical connections

This ordinance became the festival of Purim, observed on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar. The book of Esther records the historical basis: the Jews’ victory over Haman’s plot. The inclusion of “all such as joined themselves unto them” likely refers to converts who entered the Jewish community. The practice resembles other biblical feasts that call God’s people to remember His saving acts, such as Passover in Exodus 12:14, which also commands a lasting memorial.

Application

This verse teaches the value of structured remembrance. The Jews did not rely on memory alone; they wrote down the details and set a fixed time. Believers today can adopt similar habits, such as marking annual days of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance. The promise extended to future generations, showing the importance of passing faith to children. Including those who joined them reminds us to welcome new believers into shared worship.

Reflection

The Jews’ resolve to keep these days “so as it should not fail” challenges us to consider our own commitment. Do we treat spiritual practices as optional or as binding promises? Their corporate decision also highlights unity. The verse calls us to remember God’s faithfulness, uphold communal worship, and persist in obedience, trusting that He who delivered His people then remains faithful now.