Esther 8:16

Est 8:16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

Ver. 16. The Jews had light and gladness] "Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun," Ecc 11:7. Such as have been long shut up in a dark dungeon, as Joseph, will surely say so. These Jews had for two months and more lain buried alive, as it were, in heaviness and horror, they walked in the very vale of the shadow of death, the darkest side of death; death, in its most hideous and horrid representations, stared them in the face.

Luctus ubique pavor, et plurima mortis imago (Virg.).

Their motto at the best was that of the city of Geneva out of Job, Post tenebras spero lucem, after darkness we have some faint hopes of life. But now it was otherwise with them. Light was risen to these righteous, and joy to these upright in heart. Iudaeis fuit lux et laetitia (or, as Tremellius rendereth it, illustris laetitia, famous gladness), gaudium et gloria, unspeakable joy and full of glory, as St Peter phraseth it, an exuberancy of spiritual joy and inward comfort, fitter to be believed than possible to be discoursed. For we may not think, that the joy and gladness here mentioned was no more than that of profane and carnal people, upon the receipt of some special mercy, or signal deliverance. They rejoice (harlot-like) in the gift, but not in the giver; they nibble upon the shell, but taste not of the kernel. The joy that these Jews had was the fruit of fasting and prayer, according to that of our Saviour, Ask, that your joy may he full; pray, that ye may joy. The fountain of it was the light of God’s loving countenance; it was φεγγος σωτηριον, as Josephus hath it here, a salvifical light. The matter of it was the happy change of their late lamentable condition; and this as a pledge of that light of life eternal, see Psa 23:5-6, the end of it was a testification of their hearty thankfulness to God for his inconceivable loving kindness, a breaking forth into those or the like words of the psalmist, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death," Psa 68:19-20.

And gladness] Habitual joy, solid and substantial. Crede mihi, res severa est, gaudium verum. Believe me, saith Seneca, true joy is a severe and solid business, that few men are acquainted with. It is indeed the just man’s jewel, such as the stranger may not meddle with, Pro 14:13, he is flatly forbidden it, Hos 9:1. The wicked man’s joy is of another alloy than that of the righteous. The light of a candle is fed with stinking tallow, but the light of the sun hath influence from heaven to feed it, and therefore is not so soon blown out. Like as together with manna there fell a dew, so together with temporal mercies and deliverances there is a secret influence of God to a spiritual heart, as there was to these good Jews, and thence their so well-rooted gladness. It was such as did not only wet the mouth, but warm the heart, smooth the brow, but fill the breast; it was more inward, as the windows of Solomon’s temple were wider within than without. Whereas, on the contrary, the wicked’s joy is but in the face only, and not in the heart, 2Co 5:12, it is but the hypocrisy of mirth, like a counterfeit complexion. It is but a cold armful, φυχρον παραγκυλισμα, as Lycophron said of an ill wife; or, as Lamech’s second wife’s name was Zillah, that is, the shadow of a wife, so is this the shadow of gladness, the substance is wanting.

And honour] Heb. weight, account, esteem. The poor Jews, formerly slighted, were now highly honoured; chari et rari, as Isa 43:4, bright and glorious, as the word signifieth, Job 31:26, precious and ponderous, so that their name was much set by, as 1Sa 18:30. This was the Lord’s own work, for it is he that gives credit, and fashioneth men’s opinions; he, besides wisdom, gave Solomon honour.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Est 8:16. The Jews had light — Light is often put for gladness, as 2Sa 22:29, and Job 18:5-6, because it is pleasant, and disposeth a man to joy. And gladness, and joy — Here the sacred writer explains the former metaphor, by two words signifying the same thing, to denote the greatness of the joy. And honour — Instead of that contempt under which they had lain.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He showeth by these words that follow, what this light was.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

16. The Jews had light etc.] The expression reminds us of the Prayer Book Version of Psa_97:11, ‘There is sprung up a light for the righteous.’ Cp. also Psa_27:1; Psa_36:9, for ‘light’ used, as here, metaphorically as equivalent to prosperity and joy.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Light is oft put for

gladness, as 2Sa 22:29; Job 18:5,6; Psa 27:1, because light is pleasant and disposeth a man to joy, whereas darkness inclines a man to sorrow.

Gladness and joy: this explains the former metaphor by two words expressing the same thing, to note the greatness of the joy.

Honour, instead of that contempt under which they had lain.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

16. The Jews had light — The light (אורה) of hope and salvation broke in upon their dark prospects, filling them with gladness and joy, and securing them honour and respect from many of the heathen.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The Jews had light. A metaphor for "happiness". (comp. Isa_58:8)

Vers. 16, 17.

A nation"s relief and gladness.

God often interposed on behalf of his chosen people the Jews, but never more signally than on this occasion. No wonder that far and wide throughout the Persian empire the Israelites put forth signs of salvation and of rejoicing.

I WHY THE JEWS REJOICED.

1. In the downfall of their enemy. Haman was hated with an especial hatred. "Cursed be Haman!" was their cry, when, in Purim, they celebrated the day when the Lord delivered them out of the hand of the enemy.

2. In their patronage by a queen of their own blood and nation. A Jewess upon the throne was the agent in bringing to the Jews security and prosperity.

3. In their countryman Mordecai being exalted to be a chief minister ofstate. This happened often during the captivity. Daniel especially is an instance of a Jew exalted to high rank and power in a heathen empire.

4. In the favour towards them of the great king. From being their adversaryand oppressor, Ahasuerus was turned to be their friend.

5. For permission to defend themselves. If the decree against them couldnot he reversed, it was matter for rejoicing that a decree of the same authority warranted them in standing upon their defence.

6. In their consequent delivery from the fear of massacre. "All that a manhath will he give for his life." And now life was secure; and they rejoiced as those raised from the brink of death.

II HOW THE JEWS REJOICED. We have in these verses a bright and vivid picture of the gladness that diffused itself throughout the empire on the occasion of the deliverance.

1. Light and gladness.

2. Feasting and a good day.

3. The adhesion of many to their religion and their fellowship.

4. The sympathy of many who respected and esteemed them, theircharacter, and their religion.

Vers. 16, 17.

Brightened life.

the Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour," etc. "When the tide of evil turned, great advantages flowed to the Jews. So when a man forsakes his evil way he will find certain results follow.

I LIGHT. He will see the meaning of God"s word and of life.

II GLADNESS. He will not be afraid to rejoice, but will see that the Christian has the truest right to be glad, seeing he is delivered from the bondage of sin and death.

III HONOUR. People respect a true Christian, bat they despise the hypocrite. Every man"s character is rendered of greater worth by his Christianity.

IV USEFULNESS. Others will be won to the same good way. "Many of the people of the land became Jews." Influence will constantly spread.

V SAFETY. The former enemies of the Jews were afraid to touch them or speak against them. The evil powers that oppose man"s spiritual welfare will not be able to injure him, because God will protect, and the habit of watchfulness will be fixed. H.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Joy - This explains the former metaphor by two words expressing the same thing, to denote the greatness of the joy. honour - Instead of that contempt under which they had lain.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.