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.

ESTHER 8:17KJV
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Esther 8:17 (KJV)

What does Esther 8:17 mean?

Esther 8:17 describes how, after the king’s new decree in favor of the Jews, Jewish people throughout the empire celebrated with joy, feasting, and a sense of relief. Many non-Jewish people in the land also identified themselves with the Jews because they were afraid of what might happen if they did not.

This verse comes after Queen Esther and Mordecai successfully persuaded King Ahasuerus to issue a new command that allowed the Jews to defend themselves. The verse shows the dramatic change in the Jews’ situation: from being threatened with destruction to being honored and celebrated. The mention of many people “becoming Jews” highlights how the shift in royal favor changed public attitudes and even led others to join or align themselves with the Jewish community out of fear or respect.

The Hebrew behind Esther 8:17

  • "Fear" (פַּחַד, pachad): This word means a deep fear or dread. Here, it describes the strong sense of respect or apprehension that fell on the non-Jewish people, motivating them to align with the Jews.
  • "Became Jews" (מִתְיַהֲדִים, mithyahadim): This phrase means to become or act like a Jew. It suggests that many people outwardly identified with the Jews, likely for safety or political reasons, rather than true conversion.
  • "Joy" (שִׂמְחָה, simchah) and "Gladness" (שָׂשֹׂן, sason): Both words speak to the emotional relief and happiness the Jews experienced, emphasizing the dramatic reversal of their fate.

Why Esther 8:17 matters

  • Esther 8:17 clarifies that the Jews’ deliverance was not just a private relief but a public celebration that affected the entire empire, showing the wide impact of the king’s decree.
  • The verse highlights how quickly public opinion and alliances can shift when political power changes, as seen in the many people who chose to identify with the Jews out of fear.
  • This verse connects to the broader theme of reversal in Esther, where those once threatened become honored, and it sets the stage for the events that follow in the story.

Where else these words appear

“decree” Hebrew H1881 · used in 21 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
  • Esther 2:8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
  • Esther 4:11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

“gladness” Hebrew H8342 · used in 22 verses

  • Esther 8:16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
  • Isaiah 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
  • Jeremiah 16:9 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.

“province” Hebrew H4082 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Kings 20:14 And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou.
  • Esther 2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
  • Esther 9:3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.

“feast” Hebrew H4960 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Esther 1:9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
  • Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.