Esther 9:20-28

Mordecai's injunctions for the keeping of Purim

20. And Mordecai wrote these things Mordecai's position as a Jew, who had attained to the office of grand vizier, seems to have been regarded as giving him, under the circumstances, a right to impose upon the Jews within the king of Persia's dominions a new annual celebration. It is best to take -these things" to mean so much of the story as appeared needful by way of explanation of the circumstances of the deliverance, as calling for a commemorative festival. We may notice that in thisletter, unlike the second (Esther 9:29), there is no reference to any but the joyous side of the commemoration.