Esther 8:15
What does Esther 8:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 8:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 8:15 means
Mordecai exits the king’s presence clothed in royal splendor—blue and white apparel, a great crown of gold, and a fine linen and purple robe. This public honor displays his new status and the king’s favor. The city of Shushan responds with shouting and gladness, signaling popular relief at just leadership and the hopeful implications of the new decree. Where fear and confusion once hovered, celebration now erupts. Mordecai’s exaltation is not merely personal; it represents a turning point for the Jews. The attire and acclamation are outward signs that the empire’s power is now aligned with their preservation rather than their destruction.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Mordecai went out from before the king, dressed in king-like robes of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold and clothing of purple and the best linen: and all the town of Shushan gave loud cries of joy.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Mordecai went out from before the king, in royal clothing of blue and white, and a great crown of gold, and a garment of fine linen and purple, and the city of Shushan hath rejoiced and been glad;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Mardochai going forth out of the palace, and from the king's presence, shone in royal apparel, to wit, of violet and sky colour, wearing a golden crown on his head, and clothed with a cloak of silk and purple. And all the city rejoiced, and was glad.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a mantle of byssus and purple; and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.
Context
Having shown the decree’s dispatch (verse 14), verse 15 presents the immediate effect in the capital: Mordecai’s elevation is visible and celebrated. This stands in sharp contrast to the earlier mourning and perplexity when Haman’s decree first went out. The narrative will now expand beyond Shushan. Verses 16–17 describe the Jews’ joy, honor, and feasting throughout the empire and note the unexpected result that many from the peoples became Jews because fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 16:19
Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:
- Matthew 6:29
yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
- Esther 5:1
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house.
- Esther 6:11
Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor.
- Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.
- Esther 3:15
The posts went forth in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.