Esther 9:22 Meaning and Explanation
“As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The festival commemorates the turning from sorrow to joy, marked by feasting, shared portions, and gifts to the poor.
What Does Esther 9:22 Mean?
The heart of the festival is named: the month was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day. This is the language of reversal that has governed the whole book, now made the very reason for celebration. The days of dread became days of rest, and that turning is what the people remember.
The observance has three marks: feasting and joy, sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. The joy reaches outward, first to neighbors and then to the needy. A people delivered does not hoard its gladness but extends it to the vulnerable, remembering its own deliverance by lifting others. The turning from sorrow becomes generosity toward those still in want.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esther 9:22
What does Esther 9:22 mean?
The festival commemorates the turning from sorrow to joy, marked by feasting, shared portions, and gifts to the poor.