Esther 8:17 (WEB)

Passage

In every province, and in every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast, and a good day. Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen on them.

Nearby Context

Esther 8:15 Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and was glad.

Esther 8:16 The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor.

Esther 8:17 In every province, and in every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast, and a good day. Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen on them.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "province", "city", "wherever", "king", "commandment", "decree", "came", and "jews". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "province" and "city", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "The Jews had light gladness joy and...", giving immediate footing for "province" and "city". In Esther context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "province" and "city" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.