King James Version
What Does Esther 9:30 Mean?
“And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,”
Esther 9:30 · KJV
Context
28
And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. fail: Heb. pass perish: Heb. be ended
29
Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim. authority: Heb. strength
30
And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
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. themselves: Heb. their souls
32
And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth. The pronoun "he" refers to Mordecai, who administered distribution of the co-authored letter (v. 29) through Persian imperial postal system. The phrase "sent the letters" (vayishlach sefarim, וַיִּשְׁלַח סְפָרִים) indicates multiple copies dispatched to all Jewish communities—no small administrative undertaking requiring scribes, messengers, and coordination across the vast empire.
The scope "to the hundred twenty and seven provinces" repeats Esther's opening (1:1), creating literary symmetry: the empire's geographic extent that initially seemed to amplify danger now enables comprehensive communication of deliverance. What threatened total annihilation across all provinces now facilitates universal celebration and security. Divine providence transforms the empire's administrative structure from instrument of potential genocide into mechanism for preserving and blessing God's people.
"Words of peace and truth" (divrei shalom vemet, דִּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם וֶאֱמֶת) describes the letter's content and tone. "Peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) encompasses security, wellbeing, reconciliation, and wholeness—a comprehensive welfare assurance replacing the terror under Haman's decree. "Truth" (אֱמֶת, emet) indicates reliability, faithfulness, and accuracy—this decree speaks truthfully about deliverance and establishes genuine, lasting observance. The combination "peace and truth" appears together in prophetic literature (Jeremiah 33:6, Zechariah 8:19), suggesting messianic overtones: Purim's deliverance foreshadows ultimate redemption.
The scope "to the hundred twenty and seven provinces" repeats Esther's opening (1:1), creating literary symmetry: the empire's geographic extent that initially seemed to amplify danger now enables comprehensive communication of deliverance. What threatened total annihilation across all provinces now facilitates universal celebration and security. Divine providence transforms the empire's administrative structure from instrument of potential genocide into mechanism for preserving and blessing God's people.
"Words of peace and truth" (divrei shalom vemet, דִּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם וֶאֱמֶת) describes the letter's content and tone. "Peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) encompasses security, wellbeing, reconciliation, and wholeness—a comprehensive welfare assurance replacing the terror under Haman's decree. "Truth" (אֱמֶת, emet) indicates reliability, faithfulness, and accuracy—this decree speaks truthfully about deliverance and establishes genuine, lasting observance. The combination "peace and truth" appears together in prophetic literature (Jeremiah 33:6, Zechariah 8:19), suggesting messianic overtones: Purim's deliverance foreshadows ultimate redemption.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The Persian postal system (angarion in Greek, pirradaziš in Persian) was among the ancient world's most sophisticated communication networks. Herodotus famously described it: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"—words later adapted for the U.S. Postal Service motto. Relay stations across the empire enabled rapid communication, and royal decrees could reach distant provinces within days or weeks.
Mordecai's access to this system through his position as second-in-command ensured the Purim letter reached every Jewish community throughout Persian territories. The same administrative infrastructure that had distributed Haman's genocidal decree (3:12-14) now carried news of deliverance and instructions for commemoration. This demonstrates God's providence in positioning Mordecai in authority—his promotion enabled not just rescue but lasting institutional change.
The contrast between Haman's earlier letters—commanding destruction—and these letters—establishing peace—could not be more stark. Jewish communities receiving Mordecai's message would remember the terror following Haman's decree and rejoice in the reversal. The phrase "peace and truth" assured recipients this was not temporary reprieve but permanent security under new royal policy supported by Esther and Mordecai's authority.
Mordecai's access to this system through his position as second-in-command ensured the Purim letter reached every Jewish community throughout Persian territories. The same administrative infrastructure that had distributed Haman's genocidal decree (3:12-14) now carried news of deliverance and instructions for commemoration. This demonstrates God's providence in positioning Mordecai in authority—his promotion enabled not just rescue but lasting institutional change.
The contrast between Haman's earlier letters—commanding destruction—and these letters—establishing peace—could not be more stark. Jewish communities receiving Mordecai's message would remember the terror following Haman's decree and rejoice in the reversal. The phrase "peace and truth" assured recipients this was not temporary reprieve but permanent security under new royal policy supported by Esther and Mordecai's authority.
Reflection Questions
- How can believers leverage existing systems and structures (governmental, technological, institutional) for spreading the gospel and blessing others?
- In what ways does God's transformation of threatening systems into blessing mechanisms encourage trust in His sovereignty?
- How should Christians communicate God's deliverance—with what tone, content, and emphasis—to maximize impact?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 15 wordsכָּל4 of 15
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיְּהוּדִ֗ים5 of 15
“unto all the Jews”
H3064a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
שֶׁ֨בַע7 of 15
“and seven”
H7651seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
מְדִינָ֔ה10 of 15
“provinces”
H4082properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ12 of 15
“of Ahasuerus”
H325achashverosh (i.e., ahasuerus or artaxerxes, but in this case xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a persian king
דִּבְרֵ֥י13 of 15
“with words”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
שָׁל֖וֹם14 of 15
“of peace”
H7965safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
Study Guide
Historical Context
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.
Theological Significance
Esther 9:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Esther 9:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge