Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 9:31
To confirm these days of Purim in their times [appointed], according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
31. to confirm ] It has been suggested that the former communications from Mordecai were only a recommendation, while this joint letter from him and Esther was intended to render the matter obligatory. Against such a view, however, is the fact that the word in the original here rendered ‘to confirm’ is the same as that translated ‘to enjoin’ in Est 9:21.
in the matter of the fastings and their cry ] The words may be a gloss. They are not found in the LXX., and the Heb. word translated ‘fastings’ does not occur in this exact form elsewhere.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The matters of the fastings and their cry – The Jews of the provinces had added to the form of commemoration proposed by Mordecai certain observances with respect to fasting and wailing, and Mordecais second letter sanctioned these.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 31. As they had decreed for themselves and for their seed] There is no mention of their receiving the approbation of any high priest, nor of any authority beyond that of Mordecai and Esther; the king could not join in such a business, as he had nothing to do with the Jewish religion, that not being the religion of the country.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For or about those great and overwhelming calamities which were decreed to all the Jews, and for the removing of which, not only Esther, and the Jews in Shushan, but all other Jews in all places, as soon as they heard those dismal tidings, did doubtless according to the precepts of Scripture, and the constant practice of their godly predecessors in all ages, fly to that last and only refuge of seeking to God by fasting, and earnest prayers, and strong cries unto God; which God was pleased graciously, to hear, and in answer thereunto to give them this amazing deliverance. And this was that which they were now to remember, to wit, the greatness of their danger, and of their rescue from it. And accordingly the Jews use to observe the first of those days with fasting, and crying, and other expressions of vehement grief and fear, and the latter with feasting, and thanksgiving, and all demonstrations of joy and triumph.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed,…. The fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar:
according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them; in the letters written and signed by them both:
and as they had decreed for themselves, and for their seed; see Es 9:27,
the matters of their fastings and their cry; in commemoration of their deliverance from those distresses and calamities which occasioned fastings and prayers during the time of them; and to this sense is the former Targum; though it is certain the Jews observe the thirteenth day, the day before the two days, as a fast, and which they call the fast of Esther y, and have prayers on the festival days peculiar to them; but the sense Aben Ezra gives seems best, that as the Jews had decreed to keep the fasts, mentioned in Zec 7:5, so they now decreed to rejoice in the days of Purim.
y Lebush & Schulchan, ut supra, (par. 1.) c. 686. sect. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(31) To confirm . . . enjoined . . . decreed.The same Hebrew verb stands for the three different English verbs; it is also the stablish of Est. 9:21. To fix or settle represents the meaning.
The matters of the fastings and their cry.These words come in rather awkwardly, and hence, and because they are passed over by the LXX., some have doubted their genuineness here. All Hebrew MSS., however, and all the other ancient versions, retain the words, and we must, therefore, suppose that the Jews throughout the empire had instituted fasts and lamentations, in addition to what Mordecais letter had enjoined, Thus we may probably connect this with the fast now observed on Adar 13.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
31. The matters of the fastings and their cry Here it incidentally comes out that fasting and lamentation were also to be connected with the observance of Purim. The modern Jews observe the thirteenth of Adar, the anniversary of the day of slaughter, as a day of fasting, and call it the fast of Esther. This day of fasting and supplication is preliminary to the two days’ feast that follows. It is not improbable that Esther herself may have proposed this fast, as a memorial of the grief that preceded their joy, and that the people approved and sanctioned it, and called it Esther’s fast.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Est 9:31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times [appointed], according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
Ver. 31. To confirm these days of Purim ] That they might by no manner of means be neglected, but that, renewing their resolutions and their reasons for the same, they might remain constant and firm and peremptory in well doing, cleaving to God with full purpose of heart, and sitting close unto the Lord without distraction, 1Co 7:35 .
And as they had decreed for themselves
The matters of the fastings and their cry
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
enjoined = ordained. Hebrew. kum.
as = according as.
decreed = ordained. Hebrew. kum, as in verses: Est 9:27, Est 9:29, Est 9:31.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
themselves: Heb. their souls
and for their seed: Est 9:27
the fastings: Est 4:3, Est 4:16, Jon 3:2-9
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Est 9:31. The matters of their fasting, and of their cry For and concerning those great and overwhelming calamities which had been decreed to befall all the Jews, and for the removing of which, not only Esther and the Jews of Shushan, but all other Jews, in all places, as soon as they heard of those dismal tidings, did doubtless, according to the precepts of Scripture, and the constant practice of their godly predecessors in all ages, flee to that last and only refuge, of seeking to God by fasting and earnest prayers, and strong cries, which God was pleased graciously to hear, and in answer thereunto to give them this amazing deliverance. And this was that which they were now to remember, namely, the greatness of their danger, and of their rescue from it. And, accordingly, the Jews used to observe the first of those days with fasting, and crying, and other expressions of vehement grief, imitating herein the example of Esther and Mordecai, who had fasted and prayed in their distress, and the latter of the days with feasting, and thanksgiving, and all demonstrations of joy and triumph.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
9:31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times [appointed], according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the {s} fastings and their cry.
(s) That they would observe this feast with fasting and earnest prayer, which in Hebrew is signified by this word (they cry).