Esther 8:15

15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king 1in royal robes of blue and white, with a large crown of gold and 2a garment of fine linen and purple; and 3the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.

Esther 8:15 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 8:15

And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king
And walked or rode about in the city to show himself to his friends:

in royal apparel of blue and white;
such as the Persian kings wore, and were not allowed to any other, as Xenophon writes F7:

and with a great crown of gold;
a coronet, such as princes and nobles wear; the latter Targum calls it a great golden chain, and such the eastern kings used to give to their favourites; see ( Daniel 5:29 ) ,

and with a garment of fine linen and purple;
this must be an inner garment, since it is distinct from the royal robe before mentioned; though as the word signifies a wrap, or roll, it may design a turban, which was a roll of linen wrapped about the head; and such was the Persian diadem, according to Curtius F8, which was of a purple colour, mixed with white; and so the Septuagint version is, "and a diadem of fine linen, of a purple colour"; and if so, the crown of gold was not worn on his head, nor is it likely it should be allowed, but was carried before him, (See Gill on Esther 6:8),

and the city of Shushan rejoiced, and was glad;
not only the Jews in it, but the native inhabitants of it, that had any sense of humanity, expressed their joy at the sight of Mordecai thus arrayed; that so good a man was advanced at court, and so bad a man as Haman was displaced and put to death; see ( Proverbs 29:2 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F7 Cyropaedia, l. 8. c. 23.
F8 Hist. l. 3. c. 3. & l. 6. c. 6. Vid. Solerium de Pileo, sect. 9.

Esther 8:15 In-Context

13 A copy of the edict to be issued as law in each and every province was published to all the peoples, so that the Jews would be ready for this day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
14 The couriers, hastened and impelled by the king's command, went out, riding on the royal steeds; and the decree was given out at the citadel in Susa.
15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a large crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
16 For the Jews there was light and gladness and joy and honor.
17 In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king's commandment and his decree arrived, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a feast and a holiday . And many among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the dread of the Jews had fallen on them.

Cross References 3

Footnotes 1

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