These verses affirm that God’s deliverance is worthy of eternal remembrance.
So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants. (v.28)
In this verse, Esther 9:28 sets forth a perpetual reminder that the Jewish community should forever commemorate God’s deliverance, which took place under the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), who ruled the Persian Empire from 486-465 BC. The location for much of the story’s drama, including the residence of the king, was the citadel of Susa, a capital city of the vast Persian domain that stretched “from India to Ethiopia” (Esther 1:1). Susa was a strategic seat of power where the royal court convened and royal decrees were issued, as described throughout the Book of Esther. Because of the momentous victory over those who sought their destruction, the Jewish people inaugurated the festival called Purim. Its name comes from the casting of “pur” or lots that determined the day of their scheduled annihilation, a plan that God reversed in dramatic fashion.
By declaring that these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation (v.28), the verse underscores the enduring nature of the Purim observance. Across cities and provinces, each Jewish family was to actively participate—no one was exempt from recalling God’s faithfulness. Such a public and joyful celebration mirrors other biblical commemorations of deliverance, such as the Feast of Passover (see Exodus 12), where Israel was called to perpetually remember God’s saving acts. While Passover pointed back to the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, Purim called the Jews to remember their rescue from destruction in Persia. Together, these observances bound communities to their identity as a people whom God faithfully protected.
Finally, the verse assures that these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants (v.28). This underscores the importance of communal memory and the passing of faith stories from one generation to the next. Though the events took place long ago in Susa, the Book of Esther insists that these lessons of loyalty, bravery, and divine intervention stand for all time.
Set to dark mode
Esther 9:28 meaning
So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants. (v.28)
In this verse, Esther 9:28 sets forth a perpetual reminder that the Jewish community should forever commemorate God’s deliverance, which took place under the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), who ruled the Persian Empire from 486-465 BC. The location for much of the story’s drama, including the residence of the king, was the citadel of Susa, a capital city of the vast Persian domain that stretched “from India to Ethiopia” (Esther 1:1). Susa was a strategic seat of power where the royal court convened and royal decrees were issued, as described throughout the Book of Esther. Because of the momentous victory over those who sought their destruction, the Jewish people inaugurated the festival called Purim. Its name comes from the casting of “pur” or lots that determined the day of their scheduled annihilation, a plan that God reversed in dramatic fashion.
By declaring that these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation (v.28), the verse underscores the enduring nature of the Purim observance. Across cities and provinces, each Jewish family was to actively participate—no one was exempt from recalling God’s faithfulness. Such a public and joyful celebration mirrors other biblical commemorations of deliverance, such as the Feast of Passover (see Exodus 12), where Israel was called to perpetually remember God’s saving acts. While Passover pointed back to the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, Purim called the Jews to remember their rescue from destruction in Persia. Together, these observances bound communities to their identity as a people whom God faithfully protected.
Finally, the verse assures that these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants (v.28). This underscores the importance of communal memory and the passing of faith stories from one generation to the next. Though the events took place long ago in Susa, the Book of Esther insists that these lessons of loyalty, bravery, and divine intervention stand for all time.