Esther 9:18

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהַיְּהוּדִ֣יים
But the Jews
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
#2
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן
that were at Shushan
shushan, a place in persia
#4
נִקְהֲלוּ֙
assembled together
to convoke
#5
בִּשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
on the thirteenth
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#6
עָשָׂר֙
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#7
בּ֔וֹ
H0
#8
וּבְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה
day thereof and on the fourteenth
four
#9
עָשָׂ֖ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#10
בּ֑וֹ
H0
#11
וְנ֗וֹחַ
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
#12
בַּֽחֲמִשָּׁ֤ה
thereof and on the fifteenth
five
#13
עָשָׂר֙
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#14
בּ֔וֹ
H0
#15
וְעָשֹׂ֣ה
and made
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#16
אֹת֔וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
י֖וֹם
it a day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#18
מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה
of feasting
drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast
#19
וְשִׂמְחָֽה׃
and gladness
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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