Esther 8:17
What does Esther 8:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 8:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 8:17 means
Across all provinces and cities, wherever the king’s command reached, the Jews celebrated with feasting and a “good day.” The relief became a festival. Remarkably, many from the surrounding peoples “became Jews,” influenced by the fear that fell upon them—fear likely rooted in the Jews’ newfound royal protection and expected victory. The social tide turned: aligning with the Jews now seemed wise and safe. While motivations varied, the outcome highlighted God’s preservation of His people and the empire-wide recognition of their security. Public joy in deliverance became a witness that changed hearts and alliances, anticipating the fuller triumph to be told in the chapters that follow.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And in every part of the kingdom and in every town, wherever the king's letter and his order came, the Jews were glad with great joy, and had a feast and a good day. And a great number of the people of the land became Jews: for the fear of the Jews had come on them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and 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 <FI>are<Fi> 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.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And 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 among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.
Context
Verse 17 concludes the chapter by showing the decree’s effect empire-wide: joy, feasting, and an influx of converts driven by fear of the Jews. This follows the local joy in Shushan (verses 15–16) and caps the legislative and administrative steps outlined earlier (verses 8–14). The stage is set for the execution of the decree in chapter 9, where the Jews will stand on the appointed day and prevail. Chapter 8 thus ends with assurance, honor, and a broadened community around God’s preserved people.
v.16The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor.
v.17This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 9:17
This was doneon the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
- 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 was fallen upon all the peoples.
- Zechariah 8:20
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities;
- Deuteronomy 11:25
There shall no man be able to stand before you: Jehovah your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath spoken unto you.
- Genesis 35:5
And they journeyed: and a terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.
- 1 Samuel 25:8
Ask thy young men, and they will tell thee: wherefore let the young men find favor in thine eyes; for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thy hand, unto thy servants, and to thy son David.