Bereansearching Bible Studies

Introduction

This post is the eighth of what will hopefully be ten posts in total to provide verse-by-verse expositions of each of the ten chapters of the Book of Esther. The reader should fully understand that these studies are solely intended to show the many spiritually hidden aspects of God’s Magnificent Salvation Plan, which God has intricately interwoven within the historical account of the Book of Esther. The key to understanding the true meaning of the Book of Esther is to see that the whole book is an Historical Parable, which prophetically points us to the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, Who Is The Only Lord, God, and Savior. Moreover the book is one of concealment (“Esther” in Hebrew means “concealment”) that spans from Old Testament National Israel, to the future fulfillment of the feasts of Passover and Pentecost in the New Testament era, and a “preview” of the yet to be Judgment Day and beyond into eternity in the New Heavens and the New Earth. We can also see key personages of the Bible throughout this book by those who serve as “Types” to each represent 1) God the Father, 2) National Israel, 3) the Lord Jesus Christ, 4) Eternal Israel, 5) The Holy Spirit, and 6) the Devil. A summary overview Christian commentary of the Book of Esther is Here (which also includes a link to a much more comprehensive study).

The Spiritual Theme of Chapter VIII is The Great Commission, the New Testament Era Beginning with Christ’s Ascension and Heralded by Pentecost 

Mordecai Promoted

Esther 8:1, “¶On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he [was] unto her.“

Jesus vanquished Satan at the cross, and Jesus’ Resurrection proved that He was successful in conquering death and Hell for the sins of His Elect. Jesus is the near Kinsman (Redeemer) for God’s Elect as Mordecai was to Esther. We should also remember that, because of Jesus’ exaltation to the Right Hand of God the Father, the believers too, like Esther, are similarly resurrected and exalted as we read in Ephesians 2:4-6, “¶But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Additional confirmation is found in Revelation 20:5&6, “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection. Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

Remember also what we read in Colossians 3:1-4, “¶If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.“ and 2 Peter 3:11, “[Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all ]holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

NOTE: The “thousand years” (the “Millennium”) is the New Testament Era, which began with Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension, and then Pentecost, and which will end on Judgment Day. Jesus Reigns now in Heaven, and every believer, who is viewed by God as “spiritually” resurrected, is therefore a partaker of the “first resurrection”, and is “spiritually” seated together with Jesus in Heaven now.

Esther 8:2, “And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

As was noted earlier in Esther 3:10, the king’s ring is a sign of authority and dominion, which in this case previews the authority that Haman had by right of conquest over Adam, but now Jesus has by right of conquest over the devil. The believers, typified by Esther, worship Jesus as God and Savior, and are no longer under the power and dominion of the devil. The believers worship Jesus and give their all to Him.

Note also that the “house of Haman” (all of his stuff), was given to Esther, but Esther then set Mordecai in authority over it. Jesus reigns over this world by right of conquest over the devil at the cross. The saints are given power and authority as well in this world. Remember the following concerning Jesus with His disciples? Luke 9:1, “Then he called his twelve disciples together,  and gave them power and authority over all devils,  and to cure diseases.”  Mark 16:14-18, “¶Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.“

Esther 8:3, “¶And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.”

Here we see Esther (a picture of all believers) interceding through prayerful supplication and contrition begging for mercy from Heavenly Father “deliver us from evil” as Jesus taught us to pray in Luke 11:4, “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Knowing also what we are told in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” and in Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Esther 8:4, “Then the king held out the golden sceptre (שַׁרְבִּיט (šarbîṭ))^H8275 toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,“

By extending the golden sceptre, the king was acknowledging and granting Esther her petition. Remembering also Psalm 45:6, “Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: the sceptre (שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))^H7626 of thy kingdom [is] a right sceptre (שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))^H7626.” And the Apostle Paul explained that this was talking about Jesus and His Rulership, as we read in translated Greek in Hebrews 1:8, “But unto the Son [he saith], Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre (ῥάβδος (rabdos))^G4464 of righteousness [is] the sceptre (ῥάβδος (rabdos))^G4464 of thy kingdom.” For more on this please review this post on Hebrews Chapter 1. The Believers are in Christ Jesus, and have been granted mercy, and thus are clothed in Robes of Christ’s Righteousness to be able to stand before God Almighty.

Note: The word “sceptre” found in Esther 4:11, Esther 5:2 and Esther 8:4 is שַׁרְבִּיט (šarbîṭ)^H8275 and is different from the word found everywhere else translated as “sceptre” in the Old Testament Hebrew, which is שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ)^H7626. Interestingly, the KJV translates שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ)^H7626 in the following manner: tribe (140x), rod (34x), sceptre (10x), staff (2x). We should also think about the implications of this in Genesis 49:10, “The sceptre ^H7626 shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be].” Then later in Balaam’s prophesy in Numbers 24:17, we read, “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre ^H7626 shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab,and destroy all the children of Sheth.” Interestingly enough, this word is also found in Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod  (שֵׁבֶט (šēḇeṭ))^H7626 and thy staff (מַשְׁעֵנָה (mašʿēnâ))^H4938 they comfort me.” [The word translated here as “staff” means support of any kind, and a “staff’ is used to support a person.] (Please see also “the 23rd Psalm“) The KJV translates the Greek word for “sceptre” as ῥάβδος (rabdos)^G4464 in the following manner: rod (6x), staff (4x), sceptre (2x).

Esther 8:5, “And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing [seem] right before the king, and I [be] pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which [are] in all the king’s provinces:“

Esther was petitioning the king on behalf of her people (the Jews), which is spiritually like the prayers of the saints coming before God, which we read about in Revelation 5:8, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty  elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours,  which are the prayers of saints.” Revelation 8:3&4, “And another angel came and stood at the  altar, having a golden censer;  and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden  altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.“

Remember that the first decree advanced by Haman was an effort to destroy Mordecai and all his people the Jews. The devil sought to manipulate God’s Word to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil as the means to both advance himself above humankind (as we read about in Isaiah 14:13, “...I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…“) and to ultimately confound God’s Salvation Plan to save God’s people from Judgment Day (The Day of Evil), which nonetheless would become reality through the Person and Atoning Work of Jesus Christ.

Esther 8:6, “For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?”

True believers want the Gospel of Salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ to go forward to all the world such that all who are to be saved will be saved, and God uses believers to spread that Gospel as the means to bring about that salvation. They don’t want any of God’s chosen/elect to go to be destroyed in Hell.

It has also been pointed out that Nehemiah made a similar petition to King Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem in Nehemiah 2:3, “And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?“

Esther 8:7, “¶Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.”

The king is making clear that his kingdom had now been placed in the hands of Mordecai and Esther together. The fact that the wealth of Haman was also placed into Esther’s hands is reminiscent of Proverbs 13:22, “A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.“

The King’s New Decree (While Not Annulling the First Decree) Avenges the Jews

Esther 8:8, “Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal [it] with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.“

After Haman was killed, Esther, worried about the existing decree for the Jews’ extermination on the 13th of Adar, pleads with king Ahasuerus to countermand his royal decree. Because the laws of the Medes and the Persians can never be annulled or reversed, the king responded that he could not countermand the decree, but he does allow Mordecai and Esther to write a “new” decree. This new decree, in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s ring, could contain whatever they desired with the effect of allowing them to defend themselves on what otherwise would have been a day of total destruction having no means of defense.

We are also again reminded about the laws of the Medes and the Persians in Daniel 6:8&9, “Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.“

And remember what we read in Psalm 89:34&35, “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.“

We also read in Isaiah 14:24, “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, [so] shall it stand:“ and then just three verses later in Isaiah 14:27, “For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul [it]? and his hand [is] stretched out, and who shall turn it back?“

Mordecai “Commanded”, just as Jesus “Commanded”: The Great Commission!

Esther 8:9, “¶Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.”

Is not this amazingly similar to the last words of Jesus after the resurrection and just prior to His Ascension to Heaven? Absolutely!

1. Acts 1:4-8, “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  
2. This is entirely consistent with what we read in Matthew 28:18-20 (the last verses of Matthew), “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.”
3. Please note the similarity of this language with what Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
4.  Luke 24:44-49, “¶And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, ¶And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer (referring in part to Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53), and to rise from the dead the third day (see Jonah): And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,  beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.“
5. Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” 

And in Revelation 14:6&7, we also read, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Esther 8:9 describes how on the 23rd day of the third month a new decree (“all that Mordecai commanded …“) went forth by messengers on beasts under the commandment of Mordecai to every people and tongue in every province in the kingdom of King Ahasuerus.  While not annulling the first decree, which originally allowed for the destruction of the “Jews” (the people of Mordecai), this new decree offered a way of escape for the people of Mordecai from the judgment day that was set forth in the first decree. 

Is not this amazingly similar to the last words of Jesus after the resurrection and just prior to His Ascension to Heaven (as recorded and listed four different times above)? And please also note that the Gospel of Jesus Christ did reach forth, effectively, to every corner of the earth as we are told in Revelation 7:9, “¶After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;“

Why the 23rd day? By now it should be clear to the reader that there is nothing trivial, incidental, or happenstance in God’s Word…as there is always some spiritual meaning linked with each jot and tittle somehow. It is just that when we do not see it, we readily blow by it, and we simply assume that the word, phrase, or verse is nothing but “matter-of-fact”, e.g., literal-historical-grammatical, and then we move on. While this teacher makes no claim to know all the spiritual meanings everywhere in the Bible (as that would take an eternity and no man can plumb the depths of God’s Holy Word), there are, sometimes, somethings that can be used by God that might trigger one’s curiosity, such that it should be pursued through further with scriptural research. The number 23 is something worth a closer look. In a previous post, the case was made that “Numbers in the Bible Can Convey Spiritual Concepts“. In that post, it was shown that the Bible provides scriptural evidence to indicate that the number “23” most often points to “Judgment”, particularly in the context of punishing the corporate church for its apostasy during the “Great Tribulation”, which occurs immediately prior to “Judgment Day”. 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” This new period in the Book of Esther, which begins with this second decree established in the 3rd month, represents the going forth of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the New Testament era until the End of Time. And we know that the last of the latter days will be heralded by the “Great Tribulation“, so it is therefore worthwhile to remember a few of the many references to that Great Tribulation with its implications as follow. But, before we do, there is something else that happens on the 23rd day in the Bible. It marks the end of the Feast of Tabernacles, which in fulfillment outside of time in eternity will never end, which starts on Judgment Day at the end of the Great Tribualtion. Note what we read in 2 Chronicles 7:10, “And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.”  [Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.“]

God’s Word Is Unchangeable

And we know that this is a “Type”, or shadow, representing God’s Law, which is eternal, unchangeable, and irrevocable…Just like the royal commandment of King Ahasuerus, which conformed to the “laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered” as we read earlier in Esther 1:19. The king’s first decree is just like the Law of God condemning sinners, the sons of Adam, which was never annulled by God the Father, but God the Father provided The Way of escape from the just penalty for sin according to the Law (expounded in the New Testament) through the Atoning Sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Remember how God was describing the eternal Heaven and Earth in Psalm 148:6, “He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.” When God makes a decree, it will not pass!

Pentecost Occurs Only in the Third Month 

NOTE: It is NO coincidence that the Feast of Pentecost ALWAYS occurs during the THIRD MONTH of the Hebrew calendar (Sivan)*.   On Pentecost in 33 AD (in the third month), we read in Acts 2:4-6, that the apostles were “all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”  “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because every man heard them speak in his own language.”  And what they each heard the apostles speaking in his own language was “the wonderful works of God.”!  At that same time, Peter stood up and preached the Gospel of Salvation to that multitude, and of those who heard, about three thousand souls “gladly received his word were baptized.”

* Passover always occurs in the middle of the first month, Nisan, on a full moon. And then on the Sunday following the Sabbath of the Passover (Which in 33 AD was Easter Sunday), the Jews observed the Feast of the First Fruits (of the spring barley harvest) per Leviticus 23:10-12. Then according to Leviticus 23:15, there are seven weeks to be counted from that day (49 days), with the next day (the 50th since Passover) being Pentecost being the 8th day of the third month, Sivan. It is no accident that Jesus Resurrection was on the Feast of the First Fruits as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” We also read in  Romans 8:22&23, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.” For the record, Passover in 33 AD occurred on Friday, April 3rd, Easter Sunday was on April 5th, and Pentecost would have occurred on Monday, May 25th in 33 AD.

The Role of Pentecost: The “Feast of Weeks” (AKA the “Feast of Harvest”)

We should also note the significance of Pentecost, as it is the second of the three major feast days in the Hebrew calendar between Passover in the first month (Nissan) and the Feast of Tabernacles in the seventh month (Ethanim/Tishri). Pentecost is the second of the three mandatory Festivals of Pilgrimage for Jews, which required all the pious Jews living outside of the city of Jerusalem to travel to the temple in Jerusalem to observe the festival. We see it described by God in Leviticus 23:15&16, “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.” and Deuteronomy 16:9, “Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from [such time] as thou beginnest [to put] the sickle to the corn.” (the corn refers to barley corn, and then the seven weeks, or 49 days, plus one equals 50 days or “Pentecost”). In Exodus 23:16 we read how this second feast is also known as the feast of harvest (which includes first fruits of wheat), “And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field:“

Thus the barley harvest lasted from Passover to Pentecost…and, is it just a coincidence that in Ruth 1:22 we read that Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, “...came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.“?   Moreover, in Ruth 2:23 we read that Ruth found favor in the eyes of Boaz such that she was able to “…glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest;” (e.g., from Spring until the Fall). For more on the Book of Ruth, please see this exposition: The Book of Ruth.

So this period between Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles (which is at the time of the final harvest) spiritually represents the whole New Testament (New Covenant) era in which we see the “first fruits” of salvation, when the Holy Spirit was first poured out at the preaching of Jesus Christ in 33 AD on Pentecost until the end of time when the final harvest of souls are brought into God’s harvest house, Heaven, as typified by the Feast of Tabernacles (or Feast of “Ingathering”).  Remembering also again that in 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the first fruits of them that slept.” Therefore, just as the first grains of the barley harvest were prophetic and symbolic of Jesus Christ as the first of mankind to be harvested, the first grains of the wheat harvest gleaned at Pentecost are prophetic and symbolic of the fact that the elect of God are co-participants of this “first resurrection” from the dead (e.g., everyone called and chosen to become the children of God from the time of Adam until Christ’s return).

We also should consider what we find in Matthew 27:50-53, “¶Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. ¶And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” This literal physical historical account of bodies coming out of the grave the moment that Jesus died on the cross is a “spiritual” picture of the fact that the resurrection of the dead had to be first made possible by the death of Jesus as the only acceptable Sacrifice for Sin. 1 Corinthians 15:13-19, “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.“

Esther 8:10, “And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed [it] with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, [and] riders on mules, camels, [and] young dromedaries:“

God’s Word, the Gospel as decreed in the Bible, has gone forth into all corners of the earth, to every country in every language first by missionaries, represented by “posts” (from the original Hebrews word רוּץ (rûṣ)^H7323, meaning “swift runner“, who are both the “messengers” as well as the beasts of burden), and then by letter, and then by modern telecommunications (including such as is found here on this Bereansearching Website).

Esther 8:11, “¶Wherein the king granted the Jews which [were] in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, [both] little ones and women, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey,“

The New Testament did not nullify, abrogate, or abolish the Old Testament Law, but the New Testament of Jesus Christ (exactly like the new decree instituted by Mordecai) offered the Good News of the Way of escape through Jesus Christ from the penalty of the Law of the first decree, which “the wages of sin is death“. Remember also that it is not just mankind’s physical death that is in view, but eternal spiritual death in Hell on Judgment Day at the end of the world, typified in Esther as being the “end of the year“.

And please note the correlation of Esther 8:11 with Zephaniah 2:1-3, “¶Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, [before] the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”

Remembering again what we read in Colossians 3:1-4, “¶If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear,  then shall ye also appear with him in glory.“

Regarding the original Hebrew word that is translated as “stand“, עָמַד (ʿāmaḏ)^H5975, the KJV translators also translated into English variously as stood (171x), stand (137x), (raise, stand…) up (42x), set (32x), stay (17x), still (15x), appointed (10x), standing (10x), endure (8x), remain (8x), present (7x), continue (6x), withstand (6x), waited (5x), establish (5x), miscellaneous (42x). It reminds us of Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” and Ephesians 6:11-13, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.“

Esther 8:12, “Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, [namely], upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which [is] the month Adar.”

Judgment Day Comes Clearly into View

We should all note that with particular interest that just as it is obvious that the twelfth month in the Book of Esther can be equated to the end of the year, God Himself defines the “end of the year” to a time of “the feast of ingathering” (final harvest), which is further equated by God to the end of the world, hence Judgment Day! 

In Exodus 23:16 we read, “And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, [which is] in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.”  Remember that Jesus said in Matthew 13:39 that, “the harvest is in the end of the world.”  The harvest that is equated to “the end of the world” refers to the completion of the final harvest wherein the believers’ souls, the “wheat,” are gathered into God’s barn, while the unsaved, the “tares,” are gathered together and taken out to be burned as we read in Matthew 13:30, “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”   At the end of time, the last Trump should herald the end of this creation and the transition to eternity wherein the true “Jews” (Christians from all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues) will celebrate the eternal Jubilee brought about by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the new Heavens and the new Earth in the presence of Almighty God.

So then, that “one day” prefigures Judgment Day, which will indeed occur at the end of the year, at the end of the full 13,000 years since Creation. Moreover, all the believers, God’s saints will be with Jesus and directly involved in Judgment Day (sometimes also referred to as The Battle of Armageddon).

While the “one day” points to Judgment Day (aka Day of Vengeance), we also know that “a year” can be likened spiritually to the entire time span of creation as we read in Isaiah 61:2, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;” Jesus read from this very verse in Luke 4:18–21. This is a sermon in itself, which can be found here.

Esther 8:13, “The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.“

Jesus made it very clear the need to be ready against that day (Judgment Day, much like in Esther 3:14 and Esther 8:13) where we are told in Matthew 24:42, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” and in Matthew 24:44, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.“ This is developed much more in this post on “The Parable of the Ten Virgins.”

NOTE: The word that is translated into English here, and also earlier in Esther 3:14, as “published“, is in the original Hebrew, the word גָּלָה (gālâ)^H1540. This word is alternatively translated variously by the KJV in the following manner: uncover (34x), discover (29x), captive (28x), carry away (22x), reveal (16x), open (12x), captivity (11x), shew (9x), remove (6x), appear (3x), miscellaneous (18x). So for clarity, it could also be viewed as saying that “the copy of the writing” was “revealed” unto all people. This would also fit the analogy of the Gospel going into all the world. While the message is printed in many different languages, it is also revealed to those whom God determines to reveal it. Remember Proverbs 25:2 “[It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing (דָּבָר (dāḇār))^H1697: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter (דָּבָר (dāḇār))^H1697.“

We should also remember Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth (שָׁמַע (šāmaʿ))^H8085 peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth  (שָׁמַע (šāmaʿ))^H8085 salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” And note how the Apostle Paul expounds on this verse in Romans 10:15, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Publishing is likened with preaching!

Esther 8:14, “[So] the posts that rode upon mules [and] camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.“

It is notable that the the posts were “being hastened and pressed” because in the historical context there was only a few months to notify everyone in the 127 provinces of the kingdom within the intervening nine months (between the third month and the twelfth month). From a spiritual perspective, Jesus commanded that the believers are to get the Gospel out to the uttermost part of the earth as we read in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both inJerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” At some point, perhaps very soon, time will be up, and all those who God has foreordained to be saved will be saved, and then Judgment Day will be upon us.

Esther 8:15, “¶And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue (violet) and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced (צָהַל (ṣāhal))^H6670 and was glad (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ))^H8055.“

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ Foreshadowed

Notice that Mordecai was given a crown (עֲטָרָה (ʿăṭārâ))^H5850 of gold and was arrayed in royal robes of fine linen and purple. These elements should be pointing the reader clearly to the Lord Jesus Christ as manifest after His Resurrection and Ascension to sit and reign at the Right Hand of God the Father.

When we look at this “crown of gold”, it brings to mind this prophetic verse concerning king David in the first instance, and in the second instance (Messianically and spiritually), Jesus, in Psalm 21:3, “For thou preventest (went before )him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown (עֲטָרָה (ʿăṭārâ))^H5850 of pure gold on his head.” and in Exodus 39:30, “¶And they made the plate of the holy crown (עֲטָרָה (ʿăṭārâ))^H5850 [of] pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, [like to] the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”

There is also a “priestly crown of Consecration”, נֵזֶר (nēzer) that is associated with the High Priest, hence also Jesus, as we read in  Psalm 132:17&18, “There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown (נֵזֶר (nēzer))^H5145 flourish.“

Esther 8:15 is also reminiscent of what we find in Revelation 19:11-16 with Jesus’ second coming on Judgment Day, “¶And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses,  clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” 

“Rejoiced” (צָהַל (ṣāhal))^H6670

The word translated in English as “rejoiced” is in the original Hebrew, (צָהַל (ṣāhal))^H6670, which the KJV translates variously as: cry aloud (2x), bellow (1x), neighed (1x), cry out (1x), rejoiced (1x), shine (1x), shout (1x), lift up (1x). It can most readily explained as bellow, cry aloud (out), lift up one’s voice to God. Some examples of where it is found elsewhere in the Bible are:

Isaiah 24:14, “They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud (צָהַל (ṣāhal))^H6670 from the sea.“

Jeremiah 31:7, “For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout (צָהַל (ṣāhal))^H6670 among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.“

“Glad“ שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055

The word “glad” is very interesting, because of how it is used in the original Hebrew, and particularly here in the Book of Esther, because “glad” (or “gladness” derived from it) appears three times consecutively in this verse, and the next two verses. That root word in the original Hebrew is שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055, which has also been interpreted by the King James translators in English in the following manner: rejoice (95x), glad (45x), joy (5x), joyful (2x), merry (2x).

Some examples can be found in Psalm 90:13-17, “Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice (רָנַן (rānan))^H7442 and be glad (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ))^H8055 all our days. Make us glad (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ))^H8055 according to the days [wherein] thou hast afflicted us, and the years [wherein] we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”

Was not this also exactly what was the case for the Jews in Persia under Haman’s authority, as well as for us now in these evil days of our world under the dominion of the devil for sin? Gladness is what happens when God is in full authority over us, and when our Salvation has come to full fruition.

In Psalm 92:4, we read, “For thou, LORD, hast made me glad (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ))^H8055 through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.“

Isaiah 51:11, “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057 [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness (שָׂשׂוֹן (śāśôn)^H8342 and joy (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057; [and] sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”

Here are just a small sample of how God uses the words “glad/gladness” in the Old Testament:

1 Chronicles 16:31, “Let the heavens be glad (שָׂמֵחַ (śāmēaḥ))^H8056, and let the earth rejoice (גִּיל (gîl))^H1523: and let [men] say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.” The word that is translated here as “glad” is שָׂמֵחַ (śāmēaḥ)^H8056, which is derived from the root word for “glad” שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055 mentioned above and has been translated by the King James translators variously as: rejoice (11x), glad (4x), joyful (3x), merry (3x), merrily (1x), merryhearted (1x).

We also see this word in Proverbs 17:22, “A merry (שָׂמֵחַ (śāmēaḥ))^H8056 heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.“

Psalm 126:3, “The LORD hath done great things for us; [whereof] we are glad (שָׂמֵחַ (śāmēaḥ))^H8056.

Note also that the other word translated here as “rejoice” is in the original Hebrew, גִּיל (gîl) ^H1523, which the King James translators have interpreted in the following manner: rejoice (27x), glad (10x), joyful (4x), joy (2x), delight (1x). (see next verses show the interchangeability and how they are often found together)

Psalm 96:11-13, “Let the heavens rejoice (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ))^H8055, and let the earth be glad (גִּיל (gîl))^H1523; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful (עָלַז (ʿālaz))^H5937, and all that [is] therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice (רָנַן (rānan))^H7442. Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.“

And then note the interchangeableness between these two original Hebrew words גִּיל (gîl) ^H1523 and שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055, which are each translated as either “glad” or “rejoice” as is found in the next four verses:

Psalm 16:9, “Therefore my heart is glad (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055, and my glory rejoiceth (גִּיל (gîl))^H1523: my flesh also shall rest in hope.”

Psalm 31:7&8, “I will be glad (גִּיל (gîl))^H1523 and rejoice (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055 in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.“

Psalm 32:11, “Be glad (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055 in the LORD, and rejoice (גִּיל (gîl))^H1523, ye righteous: and shout for joy (רָנַן (rānan))^H7442, all ye [that are] upright in heart.” We see this also in Job 29:13, “The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused (רָנַן (rānan))^H7442 the widow’s heart to sing for joy (רָנַן (rānan))^H7442

And note how the exact same language that is found in Esther 8:15 is also found in in Isaiah 25:9, which again points us directly to the Lord Jesus Christ , “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this [is] our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this [is] the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad (גִּיל (gîl))^H1523 and rejoice (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055 in his salvation.“

Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

And looking back again at 2 Chronicles 7:10, “And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad (שָׂמֵחַ (śāmēaḥ))^H8056 and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.“

In the New Testament there are many corollaries as we find in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice evermore.” and Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.“

Esther 8:16, “The Jews had light (אוֹרָה (‘ôrâ))^H219, and gladness (שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ))^H8055, and joy (שָׂשׂוֹן (śāśôn)^H8342, and honour (יְקָר (yᵊqār))^H3366.“

“Light” אוֹרָה (‘ôrâ)^H219

Psalm 139:12, “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth אוֹר (‘ôr)^H215 as the day: the darkness and the light (אוֹרָה (‘ôrâ))^H219 [are] both alike [to thee].”

The Hebrew word used here for “light” is (אוֹרָה (‘ôrâ))^H219, which is quite similar to another Hebrew word for “light” (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216 that we find in the following sample of verses:

Genesis 1:3&4, “And God said, Let there be light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216: and there was light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216. And God saw the light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216, that [it was] good:and God divided the light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216 from the darkness.“

Job 37:15, God asks Job, “Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216 of his cloud to shine?“

Psalm 97:11, “Light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216 is sown for the righteous, and gladness (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057 for the upright in heart.“

Psalm 119:105, “NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216 unto my path.”

Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].”

Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

New Testament “Light” examples

If anyone has the true Light, they have Jesus, for Jesus Is The Light as we read in John 1:4&5, “In him (Jesus Christ) was life; and the life was the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 of men. And the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.“

John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 of life.

Luke 2:32, “A light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

2 Corinthians 4:5&6, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light (φωτισμός(phōtismos))^G5462 of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.“

 2 Timothy 1:10, “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light (φωτίζω (phōtizō))^G5461 through the gospel:“

And describing Heaven, we read in Revelation 22:5, “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light (φωτίζω (phōtizō))^G5461: and they shall reign for ever and ever.“

“Gladness” שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ)^H8057

Notice that the Jews also had both “gladness” and “Joy“, which are often used interchangeably. The “Gladness” שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ)^H8057 is similar to שָׂמֵחַ (śāmēaḥ)^H8056, as it is also derived from the Hebrew root word for “Glad” שָׂמַח (śāmaḥ)^H8055 mentioned above. It has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as joy (44x), gladness (31x), mirth (8x), rejoice (3x), rejoicing (2x); so note how easily both “gladness” and “joy” can be used interchangeably when this original Hebrew word is found.

The Believers, the true eternal Jews, will all have “joy and gladness” both now, and into eternity. We see this in the very next verse in Esther 8:17, “And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057 and gladness (שָׂשׂוֹן (śāśôn))^H8342, 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.” and in Isaiah 35:10, “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057 upon their heads: they shall obtain joy (שָׂשׂוֹן (śāśôn))^H8342 and gladness (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.“

Some sample verses that contain שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ)^H8057 include:

Psalm 30:11, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057; To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.“

Psalm 45:15, “With gladness (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057 and rejoicing (גִּיל (gîl))^H1523shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.“

Psalm 100:1&2, “¶[[A Psalm of praise.]] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057: come before his presence with singing.”

In the New Testament, we also see the word “gladness” is used similarly in Acts 2:46, “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness (ἀγαλλίασις(agalliasis))^G20 and singleness of heart,” Moreover, in Acts 13:48 ¶And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad (χαίρω (chairō))^G5463, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”

“Joy” שָׂשׂוֹן (śāśôn)^H8342

The King James translators interpreted the original Hebrew word, שָׂשׂוֹן (śāśôn)^H8342, in the following manner: joy (15x), gladness (3x), mirth (3x), rejoicing (1x). It seems to be a form of joy and gladness that could also be viewed as “exultation”. The following verses are a sample of where this word is found:

Psalm 105:43, “And he brought forth his people with joy (שָׂשׂוֹן (śāśôn))^H8342, [and] his chosen with gladness (רִנָּה (rinnâ))^H7440:…” [Note: רִנָּה (rinnâ) ^H7440 means to “rejoice with singing loudly” as we also find in Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy (רִנָּה (rinnâ))^H7440.”]

It is also particularly noteworthy what we read in Isaiah 29:18-20, “And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase [their] joy (שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ))^H8057in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice (גִּיל (gîl))^H1523 in the Holy One of Israel (Jesus). For the terrible one (the devil) is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:” Can you see how closely the events recorded in Esther 8:15-18 parallel those that we read here in Isaiah 29:18-20?

In the New Testament, we are reminded of these words spoken by the angel to the shepherds when Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Luke 2:10, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy (χαρά (chara))^G5479, which shall be to all people.”

Luke 1:13-16, “¶But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy (χαρά (chara))^G5479 and gladness (ἀγαλλίασις(agalliasis))^G20; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.“

Luke 15:7, “I say unto you, that likewise joy (χαρά (chara))^G5479 shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

Jude 1:24, “Now unto him (Jesus) that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his (Jesus’) glory with exceeding joy (ἀγαλλίασις (agalliasis))^G20,”

“Honour” יְקָר (yᵊqār)^H3366

This word for “honour” (honor) is from the original Hebrew word, יְקָר (yᵊqār)^H3366, which has been interpreted variously by the King James Translators as: honour (12x), precious thing (3x), precious (1x), price (1x). [Note that it is found ten times in the Book of Esther beginning with Esther 1:4, “When he (king Ahasuerus) shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour ^H3366 of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.“

But it also relating to that which is “precious” or “highly valuable” as we read in Zechariah 11:13, “And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price ^H3366 that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.” (Note that this prophesy clearly points us to Jesus, as was searched out in this post: “Barak the Son of Abinoam“.)

John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.“

Romans 2:10, “But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:“

In Revelation 21:24 we read of the believers, the Saints, and the honour that has been given them in Heaven because of Jesus: “And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.“

We can see again that with Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His sitting at the Right Hand of God the Father in Heaven, the believers have the joy and gladness of salvation, and there is joy and gladness in Heaven with the salvation of sinners because of Jesus’ Sacrifice for sin and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit beginning at Pentacost. And remember that the “city of Shushan” (which is a picture of Heaven, wherein God Reigns surrounded by all of His Holy Angels) “rejoiced and was glad“. But it is also where the “Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour“, reminding us that Heaven is also where the believers are “spiritually” seated together with Jesus, having also partaken of the “first resurrection.”

The “Fear” פַּחַד (paḥaḏ)^H6343 “of the Jews” Foreshadowed the Great Conversion of the Gentiles in the New Testament Era!

Esther 8:17, “And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy^H8057and gladness^H8342, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear ^H6343 of the Jews fell upon them.“

Does not this sound exactly like the conversion that happened at the beginning of the New Testament era starting at Pentecost* in 33 A.D. when the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ was first proclaimed? 

“Many of the People of the Land Became Jews”

This great conversion is reminiscent of what we find in Zechariah 2:10-13, “¶Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.“

“The Fear of the Jews”

The word used here as “fear” is פַּחַד (paḥaḏ)^H6343, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as fear (40x), dread (3x), great (2x), terror (2x), dreadful (1x), greatly (1x). It is also used in two other verses in Esther.

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 (פַּחַד (paḥaḏ)) ^H6343 of them fell upon all people.“

Esther 9:3, “And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear (פַּחַד (paḥaḏ)) ^H6343 of Mordecai fell upon them.“

We find this word in many other places in the Old Testament of which these are just a sample:

Psalm 105:38, “Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear (פַּחַד (paḥaḏ) ^H6343 of them fell upon them.“

Exodus 15:16, “Fear (אֵימָה (‘êmâ))^H367 and dread (פַּחַד (paḥaḏ))^H6343 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.”

Deuteronomy 2:25, “This day will I begin to put the dread (פַּחַד (paḥaḏ))^H6343 of thee and the fear (יִרְאָה (yir’â))^H3374  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.“

Deuteronomy 11:25, “There shall no man be able to stand before you: [for] the LORD your God shall lay the fear (פַּחַד (paḥaḏ))^H6343 of you and the dread (מוֹרָא (môrā’))^H4172 of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.“

The Fear of the Jews is Based on the Fear of God

The word פַּחַד (paḥaḏ)^H6343 is NOT the same as another Hebrew word, יָרֵא (yārē’)^H3372, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as: fear (188x), afraid (78x), terrible (23x), terrible thing (6x), dreadful (5x), reverence (3x), fearful (2x), terrible acts (1x). We find that word in these example verses which seem to be more mindful of “awestruck reverence“…and, notably, we do find at least two places where these two words for “fear” are found together: 

1. Psalm 91:5, “Thou shalt not be afraid (יָרֵא (yārē’)) ^H3372 for the terror (פַּחַד (paḥaḏ))^H6343 by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day;” (For an interesting perspective on the role of arrows in judgment, please see “Lightning, Swords, and Arrows“.)
2. Psalm 119:120, “My flesh trembleth for fear (פַּחַד (paḥaḏ)) ^H6343 of thee; and I am afraid (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 of thy judgments.” This verse is effectively saying that, as a sinner, I fear you O Lord because thou can destroy both body and soul in Hell, but I fearfully revere Thy Word. This is also consistent with 2 Corinthians 5:11, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;…“

Genesis 3:10, “And he (Adam) said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372, because I [was] naked; and I hid myself.”

Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 not,Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.“

Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Psalm 33:8, “Let all the earth fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.“

Psalm 34:9, “O fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 the LORD, ye his saints: for there [is] no want to them that fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 him.”

Psalm 89:7, “God is greatly to be feared (עָרַץ (ʿāraṣ))^H6206 in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence(יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 of all [them that are] about him.

Psalm 96:4, “For the LORD [is] great, and greatly to be praised: he [is] to be feared (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 above all gods.“

Psalm 96:9, “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear (חוּל (ḥûl))^H2342 before him, all the earth.” NOTE: The original Hebrew word, חוּל (ḥûl)^H2342, which is translated here as “fear“, would be better viewed as “tremble” or “shake“.

Psalm 99:3, “Let them praise thy great and terrible (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372  name; [for] it [is] holy.“

Psalm 102:15, “So (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 he heathen shall fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earththy glory.“

Psalm 103:11, “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372  him.”

Psalm 103:13, “Like as a father pitieth [his] children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 him.”

Psalm 130:4, “But [there is] forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372.“

Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 God, and keep his commandments:for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.”

King Solomon’s Blessing

We read of King Solomon blessing the completed Temple and Solomon’s praying to God for Divine intervention and mercy when the people repent of their sins, and moreover for the strangers (Gentiles from throughout all the earth) that would later be converted and come into the fold as we read in 1 Kings 8:41-43, “¶Moreover concerning a stranger, that [is] not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake; (For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house; Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 thee, as [do] thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, whichI have builded, is called by thy name.”

“The Fear of the LORD” 

The word יָרֵא (yārē’)^H3372 is closely related to יִרְאָה (yir’â))^H3374, which the King James translators have interpreted variously as: fear (41x), exceedingly (with H1419) (2x), dreadful (1x), fearfulness (1x). It can be thus said to mean in essence having an awestruck, terrifying fear, and respect and reverence (of God).

And perhaps the most profound use of this word is found in the Book of Proverbs, where it is found 14 times always reading as”The Fear of the LORD“, beginning with Proverbs 1:7, “The fear ^H3374 of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.” For example:

Proverbs 9:10, “The fear ^H3374 of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.“

Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged:and by the fear ^H3374 of the LORD [men] depart from evil.“

Proverbs 19:23, “The fear ^H3374 of the LORD [tendeth] to life: and [he that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.“

Proverbs 22:4, “By humility [and] the fear ^H3374 of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.”

“Fear” as is found in the New Testament

In the New Testament, we see that the word “fear” (from the Greek word φόβος (phobos)^G5401) is used in a similar fashion in Acts 2:43, “And fear (φόβος (phobos))^G5401 came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.“ The word (φόβος (phobos))^G5401 has been interpreted by the King James translators to mean variously: fear (41x), terror (3x)

Romans 3:18 tells us that, all of mankind, by nature does not “fear” God, “There is no fear (φόβος (phobos))^G5401 of God before their eyes.”

Is it not the case, just as we read here in Esther chapter 8, that everyone who becomes saved from destruction obtain the necessary “fear” of God to become Christians (the true “Jews”) and have peace with God as a result?  Again, is not this is exactly what was declared in Revelation 14:6&7, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear (φοβέω (phobeō))^G5399 God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”  

The word (φοβέω (phobeō))^G5399 has been interpreted by the King James translators to mean variously: fear (62x), be afraid (23x), be afraid of (5x), reverence (1x) as in Matthew 10:28, “And fear (φοβέω (phobeō))^G5399 not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear (φοβέω (phobeō))^G5399 him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.“

The “Wicked” Do Not Fear God!

We also read in Psalm 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, [that there is] no fear (פַּחַד (paḥaḏ))^H6343 of God before his eyes.” And also  And we know that Haman was indeed “wicked”. Remembering also Psalm 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations that forget God.“

And as the Apostle Paul wrote in  Romans 3:10-18, “¶As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet [are] swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery [are] in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear (φόβος (phobos))^G5401of God before their eyes.“

To have the fear of the Jews can also be interpreted as having the same fear of God that the Jews had.  And as we are told in Psalm 34:9, “O fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want (no lack) to them that fear (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 him.” (and remember that Amalek, the ancestor of Haman, “feared (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 not God” Deuteronomy 25:18, and therefore God said that He would blot out the remembrance of Amalek forever.)

The Great Conversion: “Fear of the Jews” Is Spiritually the Fear of Their God!

With the Gospel of Salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ goes into the world to warn of God’s wrath to come, many have and will be converted. We see here that the word “fear” is similarly used in Acts 2:43, “And fear (φόβος (phobos))^G5401 came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.“

And let’s look further at Acts chapter 2 (and Acts chapter 13) to see how closely it correlates with Esther Chapter 8.

In Acts 13:46-49, we read of the great conversion of the Gentiles, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. ¶And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad (χαίρω (chairō))^G5463, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. ¶And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.“

Also we are told in Psalm 18:43, “Thou 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.” The Gentiles were the heathen of whom Jesus has become the Head.

Is not this repeated in the account given in Acts 10:42-45?  There we read, “And he (Jesus) commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead.  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.“

Please remember once again that this is also reiterated in the Book of Revelation, Revelation 14:6&7, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear (φοβέω (phobeō))^G5399 God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.“

Another Great Conversion!

Side Note: This is also what happened to the mariners in the Book of Jonah. First in Jonah 1:10, “¶Then were the men exceedingly afraid (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.” The Mariners heard Jonah speak of the LORD, then they cried unto the Lord, and afterward, when they threw Jonah into the sea, they became believers… as we read in Jonah 1:15&16, “So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. Then the men feared (יָרֵא (yārē’))^H3372 the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.”

The “Fear of the Jews” (from a literal perspective)

Genesis 35:5, “¶And they journeyed: and the terror (חִתָּה (ḥitâ))^H2847 of God was upon the cities that [were] round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.“

Ultimately this literal historical account will also play out spiritually with respect to the Eternal sons of Jacob (the believers) who are in Jesus Christ on Judgment Day. Please see this post.

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This entry was posted on April 19, 2025 at 12:58 am and is filed under Bible Studies. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.