Esther 8:16

16 and the Jews celebrated^[a] with gladness, joy and honor.

Esther 8:16 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 8:16

And the Jews had light
Prosperity, as opposed to the darkness of adversity in which they had been, see ( Isaiah 8:22 Isaiah 9:1 Isaiah 8:2 ) , or lightsomeness and cheerfulness of spirit, as explained by the two next words:

and gladness and joy;
at the good news of their deliverance, so unexpected by them; thus light is explained by gladness, ( Psalms 97:11 )

and honour:
among men; from their neighbours, who before were held in contempt, as a people doomed to destruction.

Esther 8:16 In-Context

14 On their royal horses, the couriers rode out in haste, at the king's urgent command. The law was also issued in the fortress of Susa.

15 Mordecai went out from the king's presence clothed in royal purple and white, with a great golden crown and a purple robe of fine linen. The city of Susa shouted and rejoiced,

16 and the Jews celebrated with gladness, joy and honor.

17 In every province and every city, wherever the king's command and his law reached, rejoicing and jubilation 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit had light