Esther 9:18
But the Jews who were in Susa gathered on the thirteenth day and on the fourteenth, and rested on the fifteenth day, making that a day of feasting and gladness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easily missed is that the Jews in Susa, unlike their counterparts in the provinces, spent two full days fighting before resting. This distinction explains why Purim eventually became a two-day celebration for Jews living in walled cities, a custom still observed today.
After the Jews in the provinces celebrated their victory on the 14th of Adar, those in the capital city of Susa continued their fight on the 13th and 14th. Having finally defeated their enemies, the Jews in Susa rested on the 15th, making it a day of feasting and gladness as well, thus establishing two days of celebration for this deliverance.
Why did the Jews in Susa celebrate a day later than their countrymen?
The book of Esther reveals a crucial difference in how the festival of Purim was observed in the capital city of Susa compared to the provinces.
Two Days, One Reason
This distinction highlights the intensity of the struggle in Susa and shows that the celebration wasn't just a formality, but a genuine response to overcoming a dire threat.
Imagine transitioning from life-or-death combat to a day of feasting. What does this shift reveal?
Esther 9:18 marks a pivotal moment where the threat is extinguished, and joy takes its place.
The Transformation
This transition underscores the magnitude of God's deliverance. The feasting and gladness were not just an endorsement of good times, but a profound expression of gratitude for survival and freedom.
Understand the original words
Shushan · Hebrew Noun
The primary capital city of the Persian Empire and the setting for much of the Book of Esther, serving as the center of royal power.
The verse highlights how the capital city, Susa, observed Purim on the 15th of Adar because it took them two days to complete their victory and rest, while other regions celebrated on the 14th.
c. 483 BC
Haman's Plot Against the Jews
Haman, a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, casts lots (Pur) to determine a date to annihilate all Jews. King Xerxes issues a decree for their destruction on the 13th day of Adar.
c. 483 BC
Mordecai and Esther Intervene
Esther, a Jewish queen, and her cousin Mordecai use their influence to expose Haman's plot and secure a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves.
c. 483 BC
Jews Defend Themselves
On the 13th of Adar, Jews across the Persian Empire fight back against those who sought to destroy them, following the king's new decree.
c. 483 BC
Celebration in the Provinces
The Jews in the provinces complete their victory on the 13th of Adar and celebrate with feasting and gladness on the 14th, establishing this as the primary day of the Purim festival.
This verse echoes the institution of Passover, where God commanded Israel to remember a day of deliverance with a feast, much like the Jews in Susa establishing a day of feasting after their victory.
Nehemiah 8:10Nehemiah reminds the people that 'the joy of the Lord is your strength.' This connects to Esther 9:18, where feasting and gladness signify not just the absence of danger, but the profound joy of God's deliverance and preservation of His people.
1 Samuel 18:7In this passage, the women sing, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands,' highlighting a celebration of victory and deliverance. This parallels the spirit of Esther 9:18, where the Jews celebrate their triumph over those who sought to destroy them.
Psalm 30:11-12The Psalmist declares, 'You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.' This captures the essence of the transition from the threat of annihilation to the celebration described in Esther 9:18.
barnesEsther 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."
See Esther 3:13 note.
pooleEsther 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."
No text from Poole on this verse.
What's easily missed is that the Jews in Susa, unlike their counterparts in the provinces, spent two full days fighting before resting. This distinction explains why Purim eventually became a two-day celebration for Jews living in walled cities, a custom still observed today.
After the Jews in the provinces celebrated their victory on the 14th of Adar, those in the capital city of Susa continued their fight on the 13th and 14th. Having finally defeated their enemies, the Jews in Susa rested on the 15th, making it a day of feasting and gladness as well, thus establishing two days of celebration for this deliverance.
After the Jews in the provinces celebrated their victory on the 14th of Adar, those in the capital city of Susa continued their fight on the 13th and 14th. Having finally defeated their enemies, the Jews in Susa rested on the 15th, making it a day of feasting and gladness as well, thus establishing two days of celebration for this deliverance.
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Why do some Jewish traditions observe Purim on two different days?
The specific circumstances in Susa led to a unique practice that influenced the observance of Purim for generations.
A Royal Exception
To remember both the intense struggle and the ultimate deliverance, and to honor the decree that gave Jews permission to defend themselves, both days became significant. Today, the Jewish festival of Purim is observed on the 14th, but walled cities like Susa (and Jerusalem) historically observed it on the 15th, acknowledging this historical distinction.
c. 483 BC— this verse
Susa Jews Complete Victory
The Jews in the capital city of Susa continue their defensive battles through the 13th and 14th of Adar due to the initial decree's delay and the city's size.
c. 483 BC
Susa Establishes Two-Day Observance
Having rested on the 15th of Adar after two days of fighting, the Jews in Susa make this day, along with the 14th, a time of feasting and celebration, leading to the dual observance of Purim.
"But the Jews who were in Susa gathered on the thirteenth day and on the fourteenth, and rested on the fifteenth day, making that a day of feasting and gladness." — What's easily missed is that the Jews in Susa, unlike their counterparts in the provinces, spent two full days fighting before resting. This distinction explains why Purim eventually became a two-d…
