Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them. King James Bible 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 King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree arrived, there was joy and jubilation for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, because the dread of the Jews had fallen on them. NASB 1995 In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree arrived, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them. NASB 1977 And in each and every province, and in each and every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree arrived, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them. Legacy Standard Bible And in each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s word and his law reached, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them. Amplified Bible In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s command and his decree arrived, the Jews celebrated with gladness and joy, a feast and a holiday. And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the fear of the Jews [and their God] had fallen on them. Christian Standard Bible In every province and every city where the king’s command and edict reached, gladness and joy took place among the Jews. There was a celebration and a holiday. And many of the ethnic groups of the land professed themselves to be Jews because fear of the Jews had overcome them. Holman Christian Standard Bible In every province and every city, wherever the king’s command and his law reached, joy and rejoicing took place among the Jews. There was a celebration and a holiday. And many of the ethnic groups of the land professed themselves to be Jews because fear of the Jews had overcome them. American Standard Version And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them. Contemporary English Version In every province and city where the law was sent, the Jews had parties and celebrated. Many of the people in the provinces accepted the Jewish religion, because they were now afraid of the Jews. English Revised Version And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them. GOD'S WORD® Translation In every province and every city where the king's message and decree arrived, the Jews were happy and joyful, feasting and enjoying a holiday. Then many common people pretended to be Jews because they were terrified of the Jews. Good News Translation In every city and province, wherever the king's proclamation was read, the Jews held a joyful holiday with feasting and happiness. In fact, many other people became Jews, because they were afraid of them now. International Standard Version In each and every province, and in each and every city, in the places where the king's order and edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jewish people, along with a festival and a holiday. Many of the people of the land became Jews, because they had come to fear the Jewish people. NET Bible Throughout every province and throughout every city where the king's edict and his law arrived, the Jews experienced happiness and joy, banquets and holidays. Many of the resident peoples pretended to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had overcome them. New Heart English Bible In every province, and in every city, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast, and a good day. Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen on them. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIn every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them. World English Bible In every province and in every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast and a holiday. Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen on them. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand in each and every province, and in each and every city, the place where the word of the king, even his law, is coming, gladness and joy [are] to the Jews, a banquet, and a good day; and many of the peoples of the land are becoming Jews, for a fear of the Jews has fallen on them. Young's Literal Translation and in every province and province, and in every city and city, the place where the word of the king, even his law, is coming, gladness and joy are to the Jews, a banquet, and a good day; and many of the peoples of the land are becoming Jews, for a fear of the Jews hath fallen upon them. Smith's Literal Translation And in every province and province, and in every city and city, the place where the word of the king and his edict coming, gladness and joy to the Jews, a drinking and a good day. And many peoples of the land becoming Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd in all peoples, cities, and provinces, whithersoever the king's commandments came, there was wonderful rejoicing, feasts and banquets, and keeping holy day: insomuch that many of other nations and religion, joined themselves to their worship and ceremonies. For a great dread of the name of the Jews had fallen upon all. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s order arrived, there was merriment and joy, banqueting and feasting for the Jews. And many of the peoples of the land identified themselves as Jews, for fear of the Jews fell upon them. New Revised Standard Version In every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict came, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a festival and a holiday. Furthermore, many of the peoples of the country professed to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd in every province and in every city whithersoever the king's decree and his commandment came the Jews had a great joy, a feast, and a good day. And many of the people of the land were alarmed; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated In all the city and in all the villages wherever the message of the King and his commandment arrived the Jews had great joy and drinking and a fine day, and many of the peoples of the Earth were moved to regret, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them. Brenton Septuagint Translation in every city and province wherever the ordinance was published: wherever the proclamation took place, the Jews had joy and gladness, feasting and mirth: and many of the Gentiles were circumcised, and became Jews, for fear of the Jews. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Decree of Xerxes…16For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor. 17In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them. Cross References Exodus 12:48 If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. Isaiah 56:6-7 And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— / I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” Zechariah 8:23 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue will tightly grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” Acts 2:47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 6:7 So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 13:43 After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. Acts 17:12 As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men. Romans 11:17-24 Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ... Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— / remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. / Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Genesis 17:12-13 Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring. / Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant. 2 Chronicles 30:25 Then the whole assembly of Judah rejoiced along with the priests and Levites and the whole assembly that had come from Israel, including the foreigners who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah. Psalm 18:43 You have delivered me from the strife of the people; You have made me the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me. Psalm 47:9 The nobles of the nations have assembled as the people of the God of Abraham; for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted. Treasury of Scripture And in every province, and in every city, wherever 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 on them. a feast. Esther 9:17,19,22 On 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… 1 Samuel 25:8 Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David. Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. many of the people. Psalm 18:43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. Zechariah 8:20-23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: … for the fear. Esther 9:2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. Genesis 35:5 And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob. Exodus 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. Jump to Previous City Commandment Decree Fallen Fear Feast Fell Gladness Good Jews Joy King's Peoples Province Wherever WhithersoeverJump to Next City Commandment Decree Fallen Fear Feast Fell Gladness Good Jews Joy King's Peoples Province Wherever WhithersoeverEsther 8 1. Mordecai is advanced.3. Esther makes suit to reverse Haman's letters. 7. Xerxes grants to the Jews to defend themselves. 15. Mordecai's honor, and the Jews' joy. In every province and every city The Persian Empire was vast, stretching from India to Ethiopia, encompassing 127 provinces. This phrase highlights the extensive reach of King Ahasuerus's edict. The administrative efficiency of the Persian Empire allowed for rapid dissemination of royal decrees, reflecting the historical context of a well-organized empire. This widespread reach underscores the significance of the Jews' deliverance and the impact of the decree across diverse regions and cultures. wherever the king’s edict and decree reached there was joy and gladness among the Jews with feasting and celebrating And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them Persons / Places / Events 1. EstherA Jewish queen of Persia who played a crucial role in saving her people from destruction. 2. Mordecai Esther's cousin and guardian, who became a prominent figure in the Persian court and was instrumental in the Jews' deliverance. 3. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) The Persian king who issued the decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. 4. The Jews The people of God living in exile in Persia, who were threatened with annihilation but found deliverance through Esther and Mordecai. 5. Persian Empire The vast empire where these events took place, encompassing many provinces and diverse peoples. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and ProvidenceGod orchestrates events for the deliverance and blessing of His people, even in foreign lands and under pagan rulers. The Power of Influence The Jews' faithfulness and God's evident favor upon them led many to convert, showing the impact of a godly witness. Joy in Deliverance The joy and celebration of the Jews remind us to rejoice in God's salvation and deliverance in our own lives. Fear of the Lord The fear of the Jews that fell upon the people signifies a recognition of God's power and presence, prompting reverence and conversion. Community and Celebration The communal aspect of the Jews' celebration highlights the importance of shared joy and fellowship in the faith community. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Esther 8:17?2. How does Esther 8:17 demonstrate God's providence in the lives of His people? 3. What can we learn from Esther 8:17 about God's ability to change hearts? 4. How does Esther 8:17 connect to Romans 8:28 regarding God's plans for good? 5. How can we apply the joy and celebration in Esther 8:17 to our lives? 6. What steps can we take to share God's influence, as seen in Esther 8:17? 7. How does Esther 8:17 illustrate the theme of divine providence in the Bible? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Esther 8:17? 9. How does Esther 8:17 reflect the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in ancient Persia? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Esther 8? 11. If Malachi 1:11 insists God’s name is revered among all nations, why isn’t there more historical evidence of widespread worship of Israel’s God at that time? 12. How does the violent response sanctioned in Esther 8:11 align with broader Old Testament teachings on justice and mercy? 13. Esther 7:4 - How credible is it that a royal decree ordering genocide could be issued and then so quickly reversed without any historical records corroborating it? 14. How does Esther 8:8 reconcile with the supposed irrevocability of Persian law if a second decree effectively overrules the first? What Does Esther 8:17 Mean In every province and every cityThe scene is empire-wide. From India to Cush, the 127 provinces that once braced for a massacre now buzz with a very different energy (Esther 1:1; 3:12-13). God’s covenant people are scattered, yet His reach is unlimited. When He moves, no corner is overlooked—much like the flood of good news that filled “all Galilee” when Jesus healed and preached (Mark 1:39). Wherever the king’s edict and decree reached Mordecai’s counter-decree (Esther 8:11) legally empowered the Jews to defend themselves. In a kingdom where “a law of the Medes and Persians cannot be revoked” (Daniel 6:8), this new proclamation overwrote Haman’s death sentence with life. Every courier galloping out of Susa carried tangible evidence that God can turn the heart of kings (Proverbs 21:1) and rewrite impending doom into deliverance (Psalm 30:11). There was joy and gladness among the Jews Sudden, sweeping relief stirred deep emotion. The people moved from fasting (Esther 4:3) to rejoicing, echoing the psalmist: “When the LORD restored the captives…we were like those who dream” (Psalm 126:1-2). Such joy validates the promise that “weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). With feasting and celebrating Feasting is Israel’s instinctive response to salvation—seen at Passover (Exodus 12:14), after the wall’s dedication (Nehemiah 12:43), and here before Purim is formally instituted (Esther 9:22). Meals become memorials. Their tables preach: “The joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Many of the people of the land themselves became Jews The empire’s Gentiles watched the reversal and wanted in. Just as a “mixed multitude” left Egypt with Israel (Exodus 12:38) and Rahab joined God’s people after Jericho (Joshua 6:25), many Persians now embraced the covenant community. Zechariah’s vision of nations grabbing a Jew’s garment to seek God (Zechariah 8:23) receives an early fulfillment, foreshadowing Acts 2:47 where the Lord “added to their number daily.” Because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them This was no mere dread of armed neighbors; it was awe at the unseen hand defending them. Scripture often notes how God spreads terror ahead of His people (Deuteronomy 2:25; Joshua 2:9-11). Here, that same holy fear convinces outsiders that aligning with Israel’s God is the safest place to be (Psalm 105:38). summary Esther 8:17 captures the empire-wide celebration erupting when God overturns an irreversible death warrant. The Jews rejoice openly, their feasting testifies to divine rescue, and even Gentiles join their ranks because the Lord’s protective power is unmistakable. The verse assures believers that God’s sovereign decrees outshine human threats, His deliverances invite worship, and His goodness draws new hearts into His family. (17) Became Jews.--That is, embraced their religion as proselytes.Verse 17. - A feast and a good day. The provincial Jews made the whole day on which they heard the news into a holiday, and not only rejoiced, but feasted. Many of the people of the land became Jews. Applied for and obtained admission into the Jewish nation as full proselytes (comp. Ezra 6:21, with the comment). The fear of the Jews fell upon them. There was about to be in each great city where there were Jews a day of straggle and bloodshed. The Jews would have authority on their side (Esther 9:3), and might be expected to be victorious. Persons feared lest, when victorious, they might revenge themselves on all who had not taken their part, and thought it safer to become Jews than remain neutral. But it can only have been a small minority of the population in each city that took this view. There was no sudden great increase in the numbers of the Jewish nation. |
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