The Feast of Phruraea Established
Esther 9
On the day appointed for their destruction, the Jews instead defend themselves against their enemies and prevail, killing many who attacked them, including the ten sons of Aman. Mardochaeus and Esther establish the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar as an annual festival of Phruraea, to be kept as a lasting memorial of the Jews' deliverance.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonFOR in the twelfth month, on the thirteenth of the month Adar, the letters of the king having arrived,
BrentonFor in the twelfth month, on the thirteenth day of the month which is Adar, the letters written by the king arrived.
GreekἘν γὰρ τῷ δωδεκάτῳ μηνὶ τρισκαιδεκάτῃ τοῦ μηνός, ὅς ἐστιν Ἀδάρ, παρῆν τὰ γράμματα τὰ γραφέντα ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως.
KJVNow in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
JPSNow in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them; whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;
2
Thomson—
BrentonIn that day the adversaries of the Jews perished: for no one resisted, through fear of them.
GreekἘν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἀπώλοντο οἱ ἀντικείμενοι τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις· οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀντέστη, φοβούμενος αὐτούς.
KJV—
JPS—
3
Thomsonfor the great lords and petty princes, and the king’s secretaries, honoured the Jews; for the dread of Mordecai fell upon them,
BrentonFor the chiefs of the satraps, and the princes and the royal scribes, honoured the Jews; for the fear of Mardochæus lay upon them.
GreekΟἱ γὰρ ἄρχοντες τῶν σατραπῶν, καὶ οἱ τύραννοι, καὶ οἱ βασιλικοὶ γραμματεῖς ἐτίμων τοὺς Ἰουδαίους· ὁ γὰρ φόβος Μαρδοχαίου ἐνέκειτο αὐτοῖς.
KJV—
JPSAnd all the princes of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and they that did the king’s business, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai was fallen upon them.
4
Thomson—
BrentonFor the order of the king was in force, that he should be celebrated in all the kingdom.
GreekΠροσέπεσε γὰρ τὸ πρόσταγμα τοῦ βασιλέως ὀνομασθῆναι ἐν πάσῃ τῇ βασιλείᾳ.
KJV—
JPS—
6
ThomsonNow in the city Susa, the Jews slew five hundred men,
BrentonAnd in the city Susa the Jews slew five hundred men:
GreekΚαὶ ἐν Σούσοις τῇ πόλει ἀπέκτειναν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἄνδρας πεντακοσίους,
KJVAnd in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
JPSAnd in Shushan the castle the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
7
Thomsonincluding Pharsanes and Delphon, and Phasga
Brentonboth Pharsannes, and Delphon and Phasga,
Greekτόν τε Φαρσαννὲς, καὶ Δελτφὼν, καὶ Φασγὰ, καὶ Φαραδαθὰ,
KJV—
JPS—
8
Thomsonand Pharadatha, and Barea and Sarbaka,
Brentonand Pharadatha, and Barea, and Sarbaca,
Greekκαὶ Βαρεὰ, καὶ Σαρβακὰ,
KJV—
JPS—
9
Thomson—
Brentonand Marmasima, and Ruphæus, and Arsæus, and Zabuthæus,
Greekκαὶ Μαρμασιμὰ, καὶ Ῥουφαῖον, καὶ Ἀρσαῖον, καὶ Ζαβουθαῖον,
KJV—
JPS—
10
Thomsonthe ten sons of Haman of Amadathu the Bugaian, the enemy of the Jews, and rifled them.
Brentonthe ten sons of Aman the son of Amadathes the Bugæan, the enemy of the Jews, and they plundered their property on the same day:
Greekτοὺς δέκα υἱοὺς Ἀμὰν Ἀμαδάθοῦ Βουγαίου τοῦ ἐχθροῦ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ διήρπασαν
KJVThe ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.
JPSthe ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews’enemy, slew they; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.
11
ThomsonOn that very day, when a return was made to the king of the number slain at Susa,
Brentonand the number of them that perished in Susa was rendered to the king.
Greekἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ· ἐπεδόθη τε ὁ ἀριθμὸς τῷ βασιλεῖ τῶν ἀπολωλότων ἐν Σούσοις.
KJVOn that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.
JPSOn that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the castle was brought before the king.
12
Thomsonthe king said to Esther, The Jews have slain in the city Susa five hundred men, how then, thinkest thou, have they behaved in the rest of the kingdom! What therefore dost thou request farther, and it shall be granted thee?
BrentonAnd the king said to Esther, The Jews have slain five hundred men in the city Susa; and how, thinkest thou, have they used them in the rest of the country? What then dost thou yet ask, that it may be done for thee?
GreekΕἶπε δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Ἐσθὴρ, ἀπώλεσαν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἐν Σούσοις τῇ πόλει ἄνδρας πεντακοσίους, ἐν δὲ τῇ περιχώρῳ πῶς οἴει ἐχρήσαντο; τί οὖν ἀξιοῖς ἔτι, καὶ ἔσται σοι;
KJVAnd the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.
JPSAnd the king said unto Esther the queen: ‘The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the castle, and the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now whatever thy petition, it shall be granted thee; and whatever thy request further, it shall be done.’
13
ThomsonThereupon Esther said to the king, Let the Jews be allowed to use to-morrow in like manner, that they may hang up the ten sons of Haman.
BrentonAnd Esther said to the king, Let it be granted to the Jews so to treat them to-morrow as to hang the ten sons of Aman.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἐσθὴρ τῷ βασιλεῖ, δοθήτω τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις χρῆσθαι ὡσαύτως τὴν αὔριον, ὥστε τοὺς δέκα υἱοὺς Ἀμὰν κρεμάσαι.
KJVThen said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
JPSThen said Esther: ‘If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.’
14
ThomsonAccordingly he granted them leave to do so, and ordered the bodies of the ten sons of Haman, to be thrown out to the Jews to be hanged up.
BrentonAnd he permitted it to be so done; and he gave up to the Jews of the city the bodies of the sons of Aman to hang.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέτρεψεν οὕτως γενέσθαι, καὶ ἐξέθηκε τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις τῆς πόλεως τὰ σώματα τῶν υἱῶν Ἀμὰν κρεμάσαι·
KJV—
JPS—
15
ThomsonSo the Jews at Susa assembled on the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men, but took no spoil.
BrentonAnd the Jews assembled in Susa on the fourteenth day of Adar, and slew three hundred men, but plundered no property.
GreekΚαὶ συνήχθησαν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἐν Σούσοις τῇ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῃ τοῦ Ἀδὰρ, καὶ ἀπέκτειναν ἄνδρας τριακοσίους, καὶ οὐδὲν διήρπασαν.
KJVFor the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.
JPSAnd the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men in Shushan; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.
16
ThomsonNow the rest of the Jews who were in the kingdom, assembled and assisted each other, and had rest from their enemies, for they slew fifteen thousand of them on the thirteenth of the month Adar, but took no spoil.
BrentonAnd the rest of the Jews who were in the kingdom assembled, and helped one another, and obtained rest from their enemies: for they destroyed fifteen thousand of them on the thirteenth day of Adar, but took no spoil.
GreekΟἱ δὲ λοιποὶ τῶν Ἰουδαίων οἱ ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ συνήχθησαν, καὶ ἑαυτοῖς ἐβοήθουν, καὶ ἀνεπαύσαντο ἀπὸ τῶν πολεμίων· ἀπώλεσαν γὰρ αὐτῶν μυρίους πεντακισχιλίους τῇ τρισκαιδεκάτῃ τοῦ Ἀδὰρ, καὶ οὐδὲν διήρπασαν.
KJVBut the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,
JPSAnd the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of them that hated them seventy and five thousand—but on the spoil they laid not their hand—.
17
ThomsonAnd having rested on the fourteenth of the month, they kept it as a day of rest with joy and gladness.
BrentonAnd they rested on the fourteenth of the same month, and kept it as a day of rest with joy and gladness.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνεπαύσαντο τῇ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῃ τοῦ αὐτοῦ μηνός, καὶ ἦγον αὐτὴν ἡμέραν ἀναπαύσεως μετὰ χαρᾶς καὶ εὐφροσύνης.
KJVOn the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
JPSon the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
18
ThomsonBut the Jews of Susa having assembled on the fourteenth and then rested, kept the fifteenth with joy and gladness.
BrentonAnd the Jews in the city Susa assembled also on the fourteenth day and rested; and they kept also the fifteenth with joy and gladness.
GreekΟἱ δὲ Ἰουδαῖοι ἐν Σούσοις τῇ πόλει συνήχθησαν καὶ τῇ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῃ, καὶ ἀνεπαύσαντο· ἦγον δὲ καὶ τὴν πεντεκαιδεκάτην μετὰ χαρᾶς καὶ εὐφροσύνης.
KJVBut the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
JPSBut the Jews that were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness and they ate.
19
ThomsonTherefore because the Jews, who were scattered through all the distant provinces, keep the fourteenth of the month Adar, as a holy day, with joy, sending portions to one another,
BrentonOn this account then it is that the Jews dispersed in every foreign land keep the fourteenth of Adar as a holy day with joy, sending portions each to his neighbour.
GreekΔιὰ τοῦτο οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι οἱ διεσπαρμένοι ἐν πάσῃ χώρᾳ τῇ ἔξω, ἄγουσι τὴν τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτην τοῦ Ἀδὰρ ἡμέραν ἀγαθὴν μετʼ εὐφροσύνης, ἀποστέλλοντες μερίδας ἕκαστος τῷ πλησίον.
KJVTherefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
JPSTherefore do the Jews of the villages, that dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
20
ThomsonMordecai wrote an account of these matters in a book, and sent it to all the Jews who were in the kingdom of Artaxerxes far and near,
BrentonAnd Mardochæus wrote these things in a book, and sent them to the Jews, as many as were in the kingdom of Artaxerxes, both them that were near and them that were afar off,
GreekἜγραψεν δὲ Μαρδοχαῖος τοὺς λόγους τούτους εἰς βιβλίον, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλε τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις, ὅσοι ἦσαν ἐν τῇ Ἀρταξέρξου βασιλείᾳ τοῖς ἐγγὺς καὶ τοῖς μακράν,
KJVAnd Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
JPSAnd Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
21
Thomsonto set apart as holy days and to keep both the fourteenth and the fifteenth of the month Adar,
Brentonto establish these as joyful days, and to keep the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar;
Greekστῆσαι τὰς ἡμέρας ταύτας ἀγαθάς, ἄγειν τε τὴν τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτην καὶ τὴν πεντεκαιδεκάτην τοῦ Ἀδάρ.
KJVTo stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
JPSto enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
22
Thomsonfor in those days the Jews had rest from their enemies: And with regard to the month Adar, in which they had a change from grief to joy and from sorrow to gladness, to keep the whole month as good days of weddings and joy, sending portions to their friends and to the poor.
Brentonfor on these days the Jews obtained rest from their enemies: and as to the month, which was Adar, in which a change was made for them, from mourning to joy, and from sorrow to a good day, to spend the whole of it in good days of feasting and gladness, sending portions to their friends, and to the poor.
GreekἘν γὰρ ταύταις ταῖς ἡμέραις ἀνεπαύσαντο οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἀπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν· καὶ τὸν μῆνα ἐν ᾧ ἐστράφη αὐτοῖς, ὃς ἦν Ἀδὰρ, ἀπὸ πένθους εἰς χαρὰν, καὶ ἀπὸ ὀδύνης εἰς ἀγαθὴν ἡμέραν, ἄγειν ὅλον ἀγαθὰς ἡμέρας γάμων καὶ εὐφροσύνης, ἐξαποστέλλοντας μερίδας τοῖς φίλοις, καὶ τοῖς πτωχοῖς.
KJVAs 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.
JPSthe days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
23
ThomsonAnd the Jews took this upon them. As Mordecai wrote to them
BrentonAnd the Jews consented to this accordingly as Mardochæus wrote to them,
GreekΚαὶ προσεδέξαντο οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, καθὼς ἔγραψεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Μαρδοχαῖος·
KJV—
JPS—
24
Thomsonhow Haman of Amadathu, the Macedonian, warred against them—how he made calculations and cast lots to destroy them,
Brentonshewing how Aman the son of Amadathes the Macedonian fought against them, how he made a decree and cast lots to destroy them utterly;
GreekΠῶς Ἀμὰν Ἀμαδαθοῦ ὁ Μακεδὼν ἐπολέμει αὐτοὺς, καθὼς ἔθετο ψήφισμα καὶ κλῆρον ἀφανίσαι αὐτοὺς,
KJV—
JPS—
25
Thomsonand how he went to the king with an intention to hang Mordecai, but all the evils he endeavoured to bring on the Jews, fell upon himself, and he and his sons were hanged;
Brentonalso how he went in to the king, telling him to hang Mardochæus: but all the calamities he tried to bring upon the Jews came upon himself, and he was hanged, and his children.
Greekκαὶ ὡς εἰσῆλθε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, λέγων, κρεμάσαι τὸν Μαρδοχαῖον· ὅσα δὲ ἐπεχείρησεν ἐπάξαι ἐπὶ τοὺς Ἰουδαίους κακὰ, ἐπʼ αὐτὸν ἐγένοντο, καὶ ἐκρεμάσθη αὐτὸς, καὶ τὰ τέκνα αὐτοῦ.
KJV—
JPS—
26
Thomsontherefore these days were called Phrourai, because of the lots, which in their language are called Phrourai [in Hebrew, Purim]. On the account of the things contained in that letter and of all that they suffered in consequence thereof, and all that happened to them, as he instituted,
BrentonTherefore these days were called Phruræ, because of the lots; (for in their language they are called Phruræ;) because of the words of this letter, and because of all they suffered on this account, and all that happened to them.
GreekΔιὰ τοῦτο ἐπεκλήθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι αὗται Φρουραὶ διὰ τοὺς κλήρους, ὅτι τῇ διαλέκτῳ αὐτῶν καλοῦνται Φρουραί· διὰ τοὺς λόγους τῆς ἐπιστολῆς ταύτης, καὶ ὅσα πεπόνθασι διὰ ταῦτα, καὶ ὅσα αὐτοῖς ἐγένετο,
KJVWherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
JPSWherefore they called these days Purim, after the name of pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come unto them,
27
Thomsonso the Jews took upon themselves and their posterity, and upon all that joined them, never to use those days in any other manner.
BrentonAnd Mardochæus established it, and the Jews took upon themselves, and upon their seed, and upon those that were joined to them to observe it, neither would they on any account behave differently: but these days were to be a memorial kept in every generation, and city, and family, and province.
Greekκαὶ ἔστησε· καὶ προσεδέχοντο οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἐφʼ ἑαυτοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ σπέρματι αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τοῖς προστεθειμένοις ἐπʼ αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ μὴν ἄλλως χρήσονται. αἱ δὲ ἡμέραι αὗται μνημόσυνον ἐπιτελούμενον κατὰ γενεὰν καὶ γενεὰν, καὶ πόλιν, καὶ πατριὰν, καὶ χώραν.
KJVThe Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
JPSthe Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof, and according to the appointed time thereof, every year;
28
ThomsonTherefore let these days be a lasting memorial from generation to generation, in every city, country and province; and let these days of Phrouri be kept for-ever; and let the memorial of them never perish from among their generations.
BrentonAnd these days of the Phruræ, said they, shall be kept for ever, and their memorial shall not fail in any generation.
GreekΑἱ δὲ ἡμέραι αὗται τῶν Φρουραὶ ἀχθήσονται εἰς τὸν ἅπαντα χρόνον, καὶ τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ ἐκλίπῃ ἐκ τῶν γενεῶν.
KJVAnd that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.
JPSand that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.
29
ThomsonThen queen Esther, the daughter of Aminadab, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote all that they did, and a confirmation of the letter respecting the Phrourai.
BrentonAnd queen Esther, the daughter of Aminadab, and Mardochæus the Jew, wrote all that they had done, and the confirmation of the letter of Phruræ.
GreekΚαὶ ἔγραψεν Ἐσθὴρ ἡ βασίλισσα θυγάτηρ Ἀμιναδὰβ, καὶ Μαρδοχαῖος ὁ Ἰουδαῖος, ὅσα ἐποίησαν, τό, τε στερέωμα τῆς ἐπιστολῆς τῶν Φρουραί.
KJVThen Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
JPSThen Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote down all the acts of power, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
31
ThomsonAnd Mordecai and Esther the queen privately enjoined [a fast], on themselves, having at that time established that counsel against their health.
BrentonAnd Mardochæus and Esther the queen appointed a fast for themselves privately, even at that time also having formed their plan against their own health.
GreekΚαὶ Μαρδοχαῖος καὶ Ἐσθὴρ ἡ βασίλισσα ἔστησαν ἑαυτοῖς καθʼ ἑαυτῶν, καὶ τότε στήσαντες κατὰ τῆς ὑγιείας ἑαυτῶν, καὶ τὴν βουλὴν αὐτῶν.
KJV—
JPS—
32
ThomsonThus did Esther perpetually establish it by command, and it was written to be kept in remembrance.
BrentonAnd Esther established it by a command for ever, and it was written for a memorial.
GreekΚαὶ Ἐσθὴρ λόγῳ ἔστησεν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, καὶ ἐγράφη εἰς μνημόσυνον.
KJV—
JPS—