King James Version
Esther 9:23 in the King James Version says “And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;” — study this verse from Esther chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;”
Esther 9:23 · KJV
To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly ,
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; consume: Heb. crush
But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. when: Heb. when she came
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And the Jews”
H3064a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“as they had begun”
H2490properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“had written”
H3789to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Esther 9:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.