This verse, Esther (Greek) 9:21, is part of the explanation for the celebration of Purim. Let's break it down:
"to establish these as joyful days": This directly refers to creating a new annual holiday, Purim, that would be a time of happiness, celebration, and merriment. The purpose of the days was to be specifically focused on joy.
"and to keep the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar": This specifies the dates of the celebration: the 14th and 15th days of the Hebrew month of Adar. In the Hebrew calendar, the month of Adar typically falls in late winter/early spring (around February/March in the Gregorian calendar).
However, it is important to note that the main book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible focuses on the 14th of Adar as the celebration date. The 15th is only celebrated in walled cities, such as Jerusalem.
In essence, the verse explains that the purpose of the letter being sent out was to formally institute the annual festival of Purim, to be celebrated on the 14th and 15th of Adar, as a time for rejoicing and commemoration of the Jews' deliverance from Haman's plot to exterminate them.
Additional Context and Significance
To understand the verse more deeply, consider:
Context of the Book of Esther: The book tells the story of how Queen Esther, a Jewish woman, and her uncle Mordecai saved the Jewish people in Persia from a genocidal plot orchestrated by Haman. Purim commemorates this salvation.
The Greek Version: The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. It often contains expansions and additions not found in the Hebrew text. The verse you cited comes from these additions in the Greek Esther. While the core story of Purim is the same, the Greek version offers supplementary details and emphasis.
Purpose of the Celebration: Purim is a time for feasting, drinking, giving gifts to the poor (matanot l'evyonim), and sending food gifts to friends (mishloach manot). It's a time to celebrate Jewish survival and resilience.
Mitzvah: The establishment of Purim fulfills a mitzvah (a commandment) to remember and celebrate God's deliverance.
So, this verse highlights the deliberate intention behind creating Purim: to have a designated period each year dedicated to joy and remembrance of God's salvation of the Jewish people from annihilation.
This verse, Esther (Greek) 9:21, is part of the explanation for the celebration of Purim. Let's break it down:
"to establish these as joyful days": This directly refers to creating a new annual holiday, Purim, that would be a time of happiness, celebration, and merriment. The purpose of the days was to be specifically focused on joy.
"and to keep the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar": This specifies the dates of the celebration: the 14th and 15th days of the Hebrew month of Adar. In the Hebrew calendar, the month of Adar typically falls in late winter/early spring (around February/March in the Gregorian calendar).
However, it is important to note that the main book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible focuses on the 14th of Adar as the celebration date. The 15th is only celebrated in walled cities, such as Jerusalem.
In essence, the verse explains that the purpose of the letter being sent out was to formally institute the annual festival of Purim, to be celebrated on the 14th and 15th of Adar, as a time for rejoicing and commemoration of the Jews' deliverance from Haman's plot to exterminate them.
Additional Context and Significance
To understand the verse more deeply, consider:
Context of the Book of Esther: The book tells the story of how Queen Esther, a Jewish woman, and her uncle Mordecai saved the Jewish people in Persia from a genocidal plot orchestrated by Haman. Purim commemorates this salvation.
The Greek Version: The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. It often contains expansions and additions not found in the Hebrew text. The verse you cited comes from these additions in the Greek Esther. While the core story of Purim is the same, the Greek version offers supplementary details and emphasis.
Purpose of the Celebration: Purim is a time for feasting, drinking, giving gifts to the poor (matanot l'evyonim), and sending food gifts to friends (mishloach manot). It's a time to celebrate Jewish survival and resilience.
Mitzvah: The establishment of Purim fulfills a mitzvah (a commandment) to remember and celebrate God's deliverance.
So, this verse highlights the deliberate intention behind creating Purim: to have a designated period each year dedicated to joy and remembrance of God's salvation of the Jewish people from annihilation.
