Esther 8:17 - 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.
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What does "Esther 8:17" mean?
This verse from Esther 8:17 describes the reaction of the Jewish people and those around them after the decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies was issued. Let's break down the elements of the verse:
"In every province, and in every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came...": This highlights the widespread reach of the new royal decree. It wasn't just limited to one location; it applied throughout the entire Persian empire.
"...the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast, and a good day.": This part describes the immediate and profound relief and celebration among the Jewish population. After living under the threat of annihilation, they were now legally permitted to defend themselves. Their fear turned to joy and celebration.
"Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews...": This is perhaps the most debated part of the verse. It indicates conversions to Judaism. Several reasons are offered for this:
Genuine Conversion: Some individuals might have been genuinely drawn to Judaism due to its moral or spiritual aspects. The Jews' resilience and apparent favor from the king might have impressed them.
Political Expediency: Some might have converted to align themselves with the Jews, who were now seen as a powerful and protected group within the kingdom. Joining the Jewish community could offer safety or advantages.
Fear and Conformity: The following phrase suggests that fear might have played a significant role.
"...for the fear of the Jews was fallen on them.": This explains why many people were converting. With the new decree allowing Jews to defend themselves, their enemies were now afraid of them. People likely saw the favor they were getting from the King.
In summary, the verse describes a dramatic shift in the status and perception of the Jews within the Persian Empire. They went from being threatened with genocide to being a group that inspired fear and attracted converts. This verse also reveals the effect of the change in status on people around them, the response of those who were threatened by them, and the opportunists who sought to benefit from the new status of the Jews.
Esther 8:17 - 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.
What does "Esther 8:17" mean?
This verse from Esther 8:17 describes the reaction of the Jewish people and those around them after the decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies was issued. Let's break down the elements of the verse:
"In every province, and in every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came...": This highlights the widespread reach of the new royal decree. It wasn't just limited to one location; it applied throughout the entire Persian empire.
"...the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast, and a good day.": This part describes the immediate and profound relief and celebration among the Jewish population. After living under the threat of annihilation, they were now legally permitted to defend themselves. Their fear turned to joy and celebration.
"Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews...": This is perhaps the most debated part of the verse. It indicates conversions to Judaism. Several reasons are offered for this:
Genuine Conversion: Some individuals might have been genuinely drawn to Judaism due to its moral or spiritual aspects. The Jews' resilience and apparent favor from the king might have impressed them.
Political Expediency: Some might have converted to align themselves with the Jews, who were now seen as a powerful and protected group within the kingdom. Joining the Jewish community could offer safety or advantages.
Fear and Conformity: The following phrase suggests that fear might have played a significant role.
"...for the fear of the Jews was fallen on them.": This explains why many people were converting. With the new decree allowing Jews to defend themselves, their enemies were now afraid of them. People likely saw the favor they were getting from the King.
In summary, the verse describes a dramatic shift in the status and perception of the Jews within the Persian Empire. They went from being threatened with genocide to being a group that inspired fear and attracted converts. This verse also reveals the effect of the change in status on people around them, the response of those who were threatened by them, and the opportunists who sought to benefit from the new status of the Jews.