Esther 8:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּמְדִינָ֜ה
And in every province
H4082
וּמְדִינָ֜ה
And in every province
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
2 of 27
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
וּמְדִינָ֜ה
And in every province
H4082
וּמְדִינָ֜ה
And in every province
Strong's:
H4082
Word #:
3 of 27
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וָעִ֗יר
and in every city
H5892
וָעִ֗יר
and in every city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
5 of 27
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וָעִ֗יר
and in every city
H5892
וָעִ֗יר
and in every city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 27
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
מְקוֹם֙
whithersoever
H4725
מְקוֹם֙
whithersoever
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
7 of 27
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דְּבַר
commandment
H1697
דְּבַר
commandment
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מַגִּ֔יעַ
came
H5060
מַגִּ֔יעַ
came
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
12 of 27
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים
of the Jews
H3064
הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים
of the Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
15 of 27
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה
a feast
H4960
מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה
a feast
Strong's:
H4960
Word #:
16 of 27
drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast
וְי֣וֹם
day
H3117
וְי֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
17 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
ט֑וֹב
and a good
H2896
ט֑וֹב
and a good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
18 of 27
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וְרַבִּ֞ים
And many
H7227
וְרַבִּ֞ים
And many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
19 of 27
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י
of the people
H5971
מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
20 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
23 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָפַ֥ל
fell
H5307
נָפַ֥ל
fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
24 of 27
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
פַּֽחַד
for the fear
H6343
פַּֽחַד
for the fear
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
25 of 27
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
Cross References
Esther 9:19Therefore 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.Psalms 18:43Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.Deuteronomy 11:25There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD 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 said unto you.1 Samuel 25:8Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.Exodus 15:16Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.Genesis 35:5And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.Deuteronomy 2:25This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.Esther 9:2The 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 fell upon all people.Esther 9:22As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.Esther 9:27The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
Historical Context
Ancient proselytism to Judaism occurred when Gentiles recognized Israel's God through His mighty acts. The Exodus created "mixed multitude" joining Israel (Exodus 12:38). Ruth's famous declaration (Ruth 1:16) exemplifies genuine conversion. Esther's account shows both genuine conversion (recognizing the true God) and pragmatic identification (seeing Jewish divine favor). The text's ambiguity about motives reflects historical reality—conversions mixed genuine conviction with practical considerations. Archaeological and textual evidence shows Judaism attracted Gentile converts throughout the ancient world. The "fear" that motivated some was starting point for many genuine conversions—recognition of God's power leading to worship of Him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Gentile conversion/identification with Jews demonstrate that God's deliverance of His people serves missional purposes, attracting others to Him?
- What does the mix of fear-motivated and genuine conversion teach about how God uses even imperfect motivations as starting points toward genuine faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. The response to the counter-decree was universal celebration—feasting and joy in every Jewish community. The remarkable addition: "many of the people of the land became Jews." The verb mityahadim (מִתְיַהֲדִים) means "became Jews" or "declared themselves Jews," suggesting genuine conversion or at least public identification with Jews. The motivation: "fear of the Jews fell upon them." This fear, like the fear on Canaan inhabitants at Israel's approach (Joshua 2:9-11), was supernatural awe recognizing divine favor. Some Gentiles joined themselves to God's people, seeing His evident protection and blessing. This foreshadows the gospel creating one people from Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-22).