Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Esther 8:15

Next

¶ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

And Mordecai {H4782} went out {H3318} from the presence {H6440} of the king {H4428} in royal {H4438} apparel {H3830} of blue {H8504} and white {H2353}, and with a great {H1419} crown {H5850} of gold {H2091}, and with a garment {H8509} of fine linen {H948} and purple {H713}: and the city {H5892} of Shushan {H7800} rejoiced {H6670} and was glad {H8056}.

Meanwhile, Mordekhai left the king's presence arrayed in royal blue and white, wearing a large gold crown and a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan shouted for joy.

Mordecai 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.

And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.

Commentary

Esther 8:15 marks a pivotal moment of dramatic reversal and triumph in the Book of Esther. It vividly describes Mordecai's public exaltation and the widespread joy that swept through the capital city of Shushan, signaling the turning of the tide for the Jewish people.

Context

This verse follows the intense drama of Haman's wicked plot to annihilate the Jews and Queen Esther's courageous intervention before King Ahasuerus. Haman has been executed, and his gallows have become his own end (Esther 7:10). Mordecai, who was previously in sackcloth and ashes mourning the decree of destruction (Esther 4:1), has now been appointed to Haman's former position and given immense authority. The king has just issued a new decree, drafted by Mordecai himself, empowering the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies throughout the Persian Empire (Esther 8:8). This verse, therefore, celebrates the visible manifestation of Mordecai's new power and the secure hope of deliverance.

Key Themes

  • Dramatic Reversal and Divine Providence: The transformation of Mordecai from a grieving mourner to a royal dignitary is a powerful testament to God's unseen hand at work. Though God is not explicitly named in the Book of Esther, His providence is evident in the complete reversal of fortune for Mordecai and the Jewish people. This shift from despair to triumph underscores the theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant people.
  • Exaltation and Honor: Mordecai's attire—"royal apparel of blue and white," a "great crown of gold," and "a garment of fine linen and purple"—signifies the highest honor and authority second only to the king. This public display solidified his new status and demonstrated the king's favor.
  • Joy and Deliverance: The phrase "the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad" highlights the widespread relief and celebration. This joy was not confined to the Jewish community but extended to the general populace, who likely suffered under Haman's oppressive influence and now welcomed the stability and justice brought by Mordecai's rise. This joy foreshadows the broader celebration of Purim (Esther 9:22).

Linguistic Insights

The description of Mordecai's clothing emphasizes his elevated status:

  • "Royal apparel of blue and white": Blue (tekhelet) and white were colors associated with Persian royalty and nobility, often representing purity, divinity, and majesty. These were extremely valuable dyes.
  • "Great crown of gold": This was likely a royal diadem or turban adorned with gold, symbolizing the authority and honor bestowed upon him by the king.
  • "Garment of fine linen and purple": Fine linen (shesh in Hebrew) was a luxurious fabric, often imported from Egypt, worn by royalty and priests. Purple (argaman) dye was incredibly rare and expensive, extracted from murex snails, making it a definitive mark of immense wealth and royal status. This combination of garments mirrors similar descriptions of honor given to figures like Joseph when he was exalted in Egypt (Genesis 41:42).

Practical Application

Esther 8:15 offers a powerful message of hope and the triumph of justice. It reminds us that even in the darkest circumstances, where evil seems to prevail, God is at work behind the scenes to bring about His purposes and deliver His people. It encourages believers to trust in divine providence, even when His presence is not explicitly felt or His name is not spoken. This verse also celebrates the joy that comes with deliverance and the restoration of order, highlighting the transformative power of God's intervention in human affairs.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 41:42 (5 votes)

    And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

  • Esther 3:15 (5 votes)

    The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

  • Esther 6:8 (3 votes)

    Let the royal apparel be brought which the king [useth] to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:

  • Proverbs 29:2 (3 votes)

    ¶ When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

  • Luke 16:19 (3 votes)

    There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

  • Esther 1:6 (3 votes)

    [Where were] white, green, and blue, [hangings], fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds [were of] gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

  • Matthew 11:8 (2 votes)

    But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft [clothing] are in kings' houses.