Esther 8:16
New International Version
For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.

New Living Translation
The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere.

English Standard Version
The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor.

Berean Standard Bible
For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor.

King James Bible
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

New King James Version
The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor.

New American Standard Bible
For the Jews there was light, joy, jubilation, and honor.

NASB 1995
For the Jews there was light and gladness and joy and honor.

NASB 1977
For the Jews there was light and gladness and joy and honor.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the Jews there was light and gladness and joy and honor.

Amplified Bible
For [at this time] the Jews had light [a dawn of new hope] and gladness and joy and honor.

Christian Standard Bible
and the Jews celebrated with gladness, joy, and honor.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and the Jews celebrated with gladness, joy, and honor.

American Standard Version
The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor.

Contemporary English Version
and the Jews were no longer afraid. In fact, they were very happy and felt that they had won a victory.

English Revised Version
The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So the Jews were cheerful, happy, joyful, and successful.

Good News Translation
For the Jews there was joy and relief, happiness and a sense of victory.

International Standard Version
For the Jewish people, there was light and joy, gladness and honor.

Majority Standard Bible
For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor.

NET Bible
For the Jews there was radiant happiness and joyous honor.

New Heart English Bible
The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor.

Webster's Bible Translation
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honor.

World English Bible
The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
to the Jews has been light, and gladness, and joy, and honor,

Young's Literal Translation
to the Jews hath been light, and gladness, and joy, and honour,

Smith's Literal Translation
There was to the Jews light and gladness and joy and honor.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But to the Jews a new light seemed to rise, joy, honour, and dancing.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But for the Jews, a new light seemed to rise; there was joy, honor, and dancing.

New American Bible
and for the Jews there was splendor and gladness, joy and triumph.

New Revised Standard Version
For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honor.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The Jews had light and gladness and honor and joy.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And upon the Jews was light and joy and honor and dancing.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Jews had light and gladness,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Decree of Xerxes
15Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. 16For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor. 17In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.…

Cross References
Psalm 97:11
Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart.

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

Isaiah 60:19-20
No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. / Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Psalm 112:4
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright—for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous.

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Isaiah 30:29
You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.

Isaiah 35:10
So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Isaiah 61:3
to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

John 1:4-5
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.


Treasury of Scripture

The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honor.

Jews.

Esther 4:1-3,16
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; …

Psalm 30:5-11
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning…

had light.

Esther 9:17
On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

Psalm 18:28
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalm 97:11
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Jump to Previous
Gladness Happiness Honor Honour Jews Joy Light Time
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Gladness Happiness Honor Honour Jews Joy Light Time
Esther 8
1. Mordecai is advanced.
3. Esther makes suit to reverse Haman's letters.
7. Xerxes grants to the Jews to defend themselves.
15. Mordecai's honor, and the Jews' joy.














For the Jews
This phrase marks a significant turning point in the narrative of Esther. The Jews, who were once under the threat of annihilation, now find themselves in a position of favor and protection. Historically, the Jewish people have faced numerous threats throughout their history, and this moment in the Book of Esther is a powerful reminder of God's providence and protection over His chosen people. The Hebrew word for "Jews" here is "Yehudim," which not only identifies them ethnically but also religiously, as those who worship the God of Israel.

it was a time of light
The word "light" in Hebrew is "or," which often symbolizes joy, deliverance, and divine favor. In the context of Esther, this "light" represents the reversal of fortune for the Jews. Where there was once darkness and despair due to Haman's edict, there is now hope and celebration. This transformation is a testament to God's intervention and the faithfulness of His people. Light, in a broader biblical sense, often signifies God's presence and truth, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 27:1, "The LORD is my light and my salvation."

and gladness
The Hebrew word for "gladness" is "simchah," which conveys a deep sense of joy and celebration. This is not just a fleeting happiness but a profound, communal rejoicing. The Jews' gladness is rooted in their deliverance and the justice served against their enemies. This joy is a fulfillment of God's promises and a reflection of His faithfulness. In the broader biblical narrative, gladness is often associated with worship and thanksgiving to God, as seen in the Psalms.

and joy
The term "joy" here is "sason" in Hebrew, which complements "simchah" and emphasizes the exuberant and overwhelming nature of their celebration. This joy is a response to the miraculous turn of events orchestrated by God through Esther and Mordecai. It is a joy that acknowledges God's sovereignty and the triumph of good over evil. In the Christian life, joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is deeply connected to the believer's relationship with God.

and honor
The word "honor" in Hebrew is "yekar," which implies dignity, respect, and esteem. For the Jews, this honor is a restoration of their status and a public acknowledgment of their worth and identity. It is a reversal of the shame and humiliation they faced under Haman's plot. In a broader biblical context, honor is something that God bestows upon His people, as they walk in obedience and faithfulness to Him. It is a reminder that God lifts up the humble and honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).

Verse 16. - The Jews had light. A metaphor for "happiness" (comp. Isaiah 58:8).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the Jews
לַיְּהוּדִ֕ים (lay·yə·hū·ḏîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3064: Jews -- Jewish

it was a time of
הָֽיְתָ֥ה (hā·yə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

light
אוֹרָ֖ה (’ō·w·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 219: Luminousness, prosperity, a plant

and gladness,
וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה (wə·śim·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee

of joy
וְשָׂשֹׂ֖ן (wə·śā·śōn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8342: Cheerfulness, welcome

and honor.
וִיקָֽר׃ (wî·qār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3366: Value, wealth, costliness, dignity


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OT History: Esther 8:16 The Jews had light gladness joy (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 8:15
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