Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Esther 9:18

But the Jews that [were] at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth [day] thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth [day] of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

18. The inability of the Jews dwelling in Shushan to make their festival synchronize with that of their countrymen elsewhere brought about the custom that both the fourteenth and the fifteenth days should be kept. Such is the habit of the Jews to this day, except that the former day is held to be the chief one in the observance (see note on Est 3:13). In 2Ma 15:36 the 14th of Adar is called ‘the day of Mordecai.’

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

See Est 3:13 note.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 18. The Jews – assembled – on the thirteenth – and on the fourteenth] These two days they were employed in slaying their enemies; and they rested on the fifteenth.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth day thereof,…. Of the month Adar; that is, they gathered together to defend themselves, and destroy their enemies, on both these days, having the decree renewed for the fourteenth as they had for the thirteenth:

and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness; as the Jews in the provinces did on the fourteenth.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

The Jews in Susa, on the other hand, who were both on the 13th and 14th Adar still fighting against their enemies, and did not rest till the 15th, made this latter their day of rejoicing. – In Est 9:19 it is again stated that the Jews in the country towns and villages made the 14th their day of gladness, and this statement is appended by to make this appear the result of what precedes. The Chethiv is perhaps an Aramaic expression for , Deu 3:5 and 1Sa 6:18. means the inhabitants of the open, i.e., unfortified, towns and villages of the plains in contrast to the fortified capital; see on Deu 3:5. On , compare Eze 38:11; Zec 2:8. , and of mutual sending of gifts, i.e., portions of food; comp. Neh 8:10, Neh 8:12.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

(18) On the fifteenth day . . . they rested.Both the fourteenth and fifteenth days are now kept as the festival of Purim, the former day being the chief.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

Est 9:18 But the Jews that [were] at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth [day] thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth [day] of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

Ver. 18. On the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth ] What they could not do on one day they did it on another. Men must be sedulous and strenuous in God’s work, doing it with all their might, and redeeming time for that purpose, Ecc 9:10 .

On both these days they destroyed their enemies ] They did their work thoroughly. Let us do so in slaying our spiritual enemies; not sparing any Agag, not reserving this Zoar or that Rimmon; but dealing by the whole body of sin as the king of Moab did with the king of Edom, Amo 2:1 , burn the bones of it to lime; destroy it not to the halves, as Saul, but hew it in pieces before the Lord, as Samuel. As Joshua destroyed all the Canaanites he could lay hold on; as Asa spared not his own mother; as Solomon drew Joab from the altar to the slaughter; and put to death Adonijah, the darling, so must we deal with our corruptions, ferreting and fetching them out of their lurking holes, as these Jews did their enemies on the fourteenth day, that had escaped the day before. Since we must either kill them up all, or be killed by them; for as that one bastard Abimelech slew all Gideon’s sons upon one stone, so one lust left unmortified will undo the soul. And as one sinner, so one sin, may destroy much good, Ecc 9:18 .

And on the fifteenth day of the month they rested ] So shall the saints do after death, which will be the accomplishment of mortification, for he that is dead is freed from sin, Rom 6:7 , and filled with joy, Isa 35:10 . The ransomed of the Lord shall then return and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Est 9:18-19

18But the Jews who were in Susa assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth of the same month, and they rested on the fifteenth day and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing. 19Therefore the Jews of the rural areas, who live in the rural towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a holiday for rejoicing and feasting and sending portions of food to one another.

Est 9:18-19 Because of the extra day of violence in Susa, Jews observed different days of rest (i.e., rural on the 14th and urban on the 15th).

Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley

on the thirteenth: Est 9:1, Est 9:11, Est 9:13, Est 9:15

Reciprocal: Est 9:17 – of the same

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge