ma.a.mar denotes an authoritative instruction issued by a ruler or other authority in Esther.

Across its three attested verses, ma.a.mar denotes an authoritative instruction: one conveyed in the king's matter concerning Vashti, one given by Mordecai to Esther, and one issued by Esther to establish Purim's written words.

1. Authoritative instruction or decree · dominant

   All three occurrences are masculine singular construct nouns. In Esther 1:15, the form occurs in the question about Vashti's failure to perform what the king conveyed; the APB renders the clause with “the command of King Ahasuerus.” In Esther 2:20, Esther carries out Mordecai's direction, and in Esther 9:32 Esther's direction establishes the words concerning Purim; the APB renders each clause with “command.”

   Esther 1:15Esther 2:20Esther 9:32

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term as “command” in each cited verse, referring respectively to the king's conveyed instruction, Mordecai's direction to Esther, and Esther's action establishing the Purim words. This rendering confirms the clauses' overall presentation rather than isolating each token mechanically.