Esther greek 9:18 - And the Jews in the city Susa assembled also on the fourteenth day and rested; and they kept also the fifteenth with joy and gladness.

Generated Verse: Esther greek 9:18

What does "Esther greek 9:18" mean?


This verse from Esther 9:18 (likely referring to the Septuagint version of Esther, as the numbering can vary slightly) describes the celebration of Purim in the city of Susa. Let's break it down:

"And the Jews in the city Susa assembled also on the fourteenth day...": This refers to the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. This was the day designated for the celebration of Purim. The Jews in Susa gathered together, likely for feasting, prayer, and sharing gifts.

"...and rested;": This indicates that after assembling on the 14th, they also rested.

"...and they kept also the fifteenth with joy and gladness.": This is the key point of distinction. In walled cities like Susa, which had experienced intense conflict and required more time to fully subdue their enemies, the Jews were granted an extra day of fighting (Esther 9:13-15). Therefore, their celebration of Purim was delayed by one day. So, they kept the 15th of Adar as their day of joy and gladness, feasting and celebrating their deliverance from the plot to annihilate them.

In essence, the verse explains that the Jews in Susa observed Purim one day later than the Jews in unwalled villages and towns. They celebrated on the 15th of Adar because they needed the extra day to deal with their enemies.

This distinction is important because it highlights a fundamental aspect of Purim observance:

Jews in unwalled cities and villages celebrate Purim on the 14th of Adar.
Jews in walled cities (those walled since the time of Joshua's conquest) celebrate Purim on the 15th of Adar, known as Shushan Purim.

The verse underscores that the date of Purim celebration is not arbitrary but is connected to the historical circumstances of the Jews in different localities during the events described in the Book of Esther.

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