Esther 8:17

Esther 8:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
• New International Version (NIV)In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.

Context of Esther 8:17

15Then Mordecai left the king’s presence, wearing the royal robe of blue and white, the great crown of gold, and an outer cloak of fine linen and purple. And the people of Susa celebrated the new decree. 16The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere. In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.

Esther 8:17 word by word

וּבְכָל־מְדִינָ֨ה וּמְדִינָ֜ה וּבְכָל־עִ֣יר וָעִ֗יר מְקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְדָתוֹ֙ מַגִּ֔יעַ שִׂמְחָ֤ה וְשָׂשׂוֹן֙ לַיְּהוּדִ֔ים מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה וְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב וְרַבִּ֞ים מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ מִֽתְיַהֲדִ֔ים כִּֽי־נָפַ֥ל פַּֽחַד־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And in every provinceמְדִינָהmedîynâh · provinceH4082
• and in every cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · excitementH5892
• whithersoeverמָקוֹםmâqôm mâqôm meqômâh meqômâh · placeH4725
• the king’sמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• commandmentדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• and his decreeדָּתdâth · lawH1881
• cameנָגַעnâga‛ · to touchH5060
• the Jewsיְהוּדִיyehûdîy · JewH3064
• had joyשִׂמְחָהώimchâh · joyH8057
• and gladnessשָׂשׂוֹןώâώôn ώâώôn · rejoicingH8342
• a feastמִשְׁתֶּהmishteh · feastH4960
• and a goodטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• dayיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
• And manyרַבrab · manyH7227
• of the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
• of the landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
• became Jewsיָהַדyâhad · to become a JewH3054
• for the fearפַּ֫חַדpachad · dreadH6343
• fellנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307

Cross-references for Esther 8:17

• Esther 9:17This was done throughout the provinces on March 7, and on March 8 they rested, celebrating their victory with a day of feasting and gladness.
• 1 Samuel 25:8Ask your own men, and they will tell you this is true. So would you be kind to us, since we have come at a time of celebration? Please share any provisions you might have on hand with us and with your friend David.”
• Nehemiah 8:10And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
• Psalms 18:43You gave me victory over my accusers. You appointed me ruler over nations; people I don’t even know now serve me.
• Zechariah 8:20“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: People from nations and cities around the world will travel to Jerusalem.
• Esther 9:2The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king’s provinces to attack anyone who tried to harm them. But no one could make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them.
• Genesis 35:5As they set out, a terror from God spread over the people in all the towns of that area, so no one attacked Jacob’s family.
• Exodus 15:16terror and dread fall upon them. The power of your arm makes them lifeless as stone until your people pass by, O Lord, until the people you purchased pass by.
• Deuteronomy 2:25Beginning today I will make people throughout the earth terrified because of you. When they hear reports about you, they will tremble with dread and fear.’”
• Deuteronomy 11:25No one will be able to stand against you, for the Lord your God will cause the people to fear and dread you, as he promised, wherever you go in the whole land.

Commentaries on Esther 8:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Many - became Jews; for - fear - These were a species of converts not likely to bring much honor to true religion: but the sacred historian states the simple fact. They did profess Judaism for fear of the Jews, whether they continued steady in that faith or not. It is only the Gospel which will not admit of coercion for the propagation and establishment of its doctrines. It is a spiritual system, and can be propagated only by spiritual influence. As it…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Became Jews - Joined the nation as proselytes, so casting in their lot with them.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-17Verses 15-17 Mordecai's robes now were rich. These things are not worth notice, but as marks of the king's favour, and the fruit of God's favour to his church. It is well with a land, when ensigns of dignity are made the ornaments of serious piety. When the church prospers, many will join it, who will be shy of it when in trouble. When believers have rest, and walk in the fear of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, they will be multiplied. And…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17many of the people of the land themselves became Jews: They converted to Judaism.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-1715. Mordecai went out ... in royal apparel--He was invested with the khelaat of official honor. A dress of blue and white was held in great estimation among the Persians; so that Mordecai, whom the king delighted to honor, was in fact arrayed in the royal dress and insignia. The variety and the kind of insignia worn by a favorite at once makes known to the people the particular dignity to which he has been raised.Read the comment

Topics related to Esther 8:17

• Feasts

In the dictionaries

• Proselyte
• Esther, Book of
• Joy

Commentaries on Esther 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings