Eleven months have passed since Haman’s original decree to annihilate the Jews. The day anticipated by all has now come, and contrary to earlier expectations, the Jews emerge as victors rather than victims. Haman’s planned catastrophe has turned into deliverance, and his intended terror has turned into feasting. Once again, a reversal of fortune has occurred: “The tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them” (9:1).

The events of the day are costly for the enemies of the Jews, as more than seventy-five thousand lose their lives. What was originally intended to be a defensive approach is described in the chapter in offensive terms, virtually depicting the Jews as calc…