Now 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;)
Now in the twelfth month, which is called Adar, on the thirteenth day, when the king's command and law were about to be carried out—on the very day when the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them—the situation was completely reversed, and the Jews gained control over those who hated them.
This verse describes how God turned a day meant for Jewish destruction into a day of Jewish victory over their enemies.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during the Persian Empire under King Xerxes, when Haman had convinced the king to issue a decree allowing the destruction of all Jews on a specific date. Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai had successfully intervened, and the king issued a second decree allowing Jews to defend themselves. The month Adar corresponds to February-March in our calendar.
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