Esther 8:16 — Word Study
WLCלַיְּהוּדִ֕ים הָֽיְתָ֥ה אוֹרָ֖ה וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה וְשָׂשֹׂ֖ן וִיקָֽר׃
BSAFor the JewsYᵉhûwdîy [people of Judah, God's chosen] it was a time ofhâyâh■ [season, period] lightʼôwrâh [prosperity, brightness] and gladnesssimchâh [joy, happiness] of joysâsôwn [rejoicing] and honoryᵉqâr [preciousness, dignity]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לַיְּהוּדִ֕ים | to the Jews | Preposition, noun gentilic masculine plural absolute |
| הָֽיְתָ֥ה | it belonged | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| אוֹרָ֖ה | light | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה | and gladness | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְשָׂשֹׂ֖ן | and joy | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וִיקָֽר׃ | and honor | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor. |
| KJV | The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. |
| ASV | The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor. |
| YLT | to the Jews hath been light, and gladness, and joy, and honour, |
| WEB | The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor. |
| BBE | And the Jews had light and joy and honour. |
Where they part company is not specified in the data provided.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by two noun phrases that elaborate on the nature of the time for the Jews.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Esther 8:16
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Celebration of the Jewsgenerated
Esther 8:16 describes a pivotal moment for the Jewish people following a decree that transformed their fate. This verse captures their joy and honor, marking a significant season of celebration and relief. The context reflects the reversal of their fortunes, as seen in the preceding verses, where Mordecai's royal garments and the city's rejoicing set the stage for this proclamation of joy among the Jews.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Esther 4:1–3 | When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. |
| 2 | Psalm 30:5–11 | For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning. |
| 3 | Esther 9:17 | This was done on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested, making it a day of feasting and joy. |
| 4 | Psalm 18:28 | For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness. |
| 5 | Psalm 97:11 | Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְהוּדִי, lai.ye.hu.Dimgenerated
The term יְהוּדִי (*yehudiy*) refers to the Jews, descendants of Judah, and is derived from the root for Judah (יְהוּדָה). This indicates a strong connection to the tribe of Judah, which is significant in the biblical narrative as it represents God's chosen people.
In this verse, it emphasizes the identity of the Jewish people during a time of celebration, highlighting their heritage and the honor they experience in this moment.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb הָֽיְתָ֥ה, it belonged, governs the main clause, with a noun phrase following it that describes the state of being for the Jews. The structure emphasizes the joyful state they are in, highlighting the celebratory nature of the occasion.
The word order places emphasis on the time of light and gladness, illustrating the significance of this moment in the narrative.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word אוֹרָ֖ה is rendered as φῶς (*phōs*), meaning 'light'. This choice narrows the focus to the concept of illumination and joy, reflecting the celebratory nature of the occasion.
The translation shows a direct connection to the idea of brightness and prosperity, aligning with the Hebrew context of joy.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Esther 8:16 tells us that for the Jews, it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor. This verse captures their celebration following a significant change in their circumstances, marking a moment of relief and festivity.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The term 'light' symbolizes prosperity and brightness, indicating a positive change in their situation.
Gladness and joy both express happiness, but gladness often refers to a more outward expression of joy during celebrations.
Honor reflects the dignity and preciousness of the Jewish people, emphasizing their elevated status after the decree.
This verse highlights the turning point in the story of Esther, where the Jews transition from despair to joy, showcasing God's deliverance.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I celebrate moments of joy and honor in my own life?
- What does it mean to experience light and gladness in difficult times?
- In what ways can I honor my heritage and identity like the Jews did in this verse?
- How can I share joy with others in my community, reflecting the celebration described here?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Esther 8:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the Jews had light,.... Prosperity, as opposed to the darkness of adversity in which they had been, see Isaiah 8:22, or lightsomeness and cheerfulness of spirit, as explained by the two next
Read John Gill on Esther 8 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
Read Robert Jamieson on Esther 8 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLight is oft put for gladness, as ,6 Psalms 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.
Read Matthew Poole on Esther 8 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEsther 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," Ecclesiastes 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…
Read John Trapp on Esther 8 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. 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 Psalms 27:1; Psalms 36:9, for ‘light’ used, as here, metaphorically as equivalent to prosperity and joy.
Read Cambridge on Esther 8 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible16. The Jews had light — The light (àåøä) 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.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Esther 8 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor.
The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor.
For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor.
For the Jews there was radiant happiness and joyous honor.
Tyndale line
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor.
The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honor.
And vnto the Iewes was come light and ioy and gladnes, and honour.
Strictly literal
The Jews had light, and joy, and gladness, and honour.
to the Jews hath been light, and gladness, and joy, and honour,
to the Jews has been light, and gladness, and joy, and honor,
For the Jews there was light, with joy and gladness, and honor.
The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor.
From the Latin
But to the Jews a new light seemed to rise, joy, honour, and dancing.
Simplified
For the Jews it was a bright time of happiness, joy, and respect.
And the Jews had light and joy and honour.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads לַיְּהוּדִ֕ים הָֽיְתָ֥ה אוֹרָ֖ה וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה וְשָׂשֹׂ֖ן וִיקָֽר׃, which matches the Septuagint in three out of six words, indicating a strong agreement between these witnesses on the core message of joy and honor for the Jews.
לַיְּהוּדִ֕ים הָֽיְתָ֥ה אוֹרָ֖ה וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה וְשָׂשֹׂ֖ן וִיקָֽר׃
3 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Esther 8:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word יְהוּדִי (*yehudiy*) refers to a Jew or someone descended from Judah. It is derived from the root word for Judah (יְהוּדָה), indicating a connection to the tribe of Judah or the region of Judea. The term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, including mentions in 2 Kings and Genesis.
יְהוּדִי adj.gent. Jewish, as subst. a Jew
base
H3064 יְהוּדִי, יְהֻדִיָּה
3064 Yhuwdiy yeh-hoo-dee'
patronymically from 3063; a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew),
or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah):--Jew.
see HEBREW for 03063
יְהוּדִי (ye.hu.di) — Jew.
Someone descended from Judah (H3063) and possibly other tribes, first mentioned at 2Ki.25.25
§ Jew
יְהוּדִי (ye.hu.di) — Judean.
Someone from the tribal area of Judea or descended from Judah, or possibly other tribes
Group of ye.hu.dah (יְהוּדָה "Judea" H3063N)
§ Jew
יְהוּדִי (ye.hu.di) — of Judah.
People descended from Judah, living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.35;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812);
brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);
half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); married to Bath-shua (H1323I) and Tamar (H8559);
father of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209), Shelah (H7956), Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I)
Prep | Ngmpa — Preposition · noun gentilic masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ngmpa
juz, jooz.
See JEW.
The name borne by the Hebrews among foreign nations, especially after the return from Babylon; from Judah their ancestor. See HEBREWS.
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
The Hebrew word אוֹרָה (*'owrah*) has two main meanings: it can refer to 'light,' including a figurative sense of joy and happiness, and it can also mean 'herb,' suggesting brightness in a plant context. The entries indicate that it is a feminine form derived from another root, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
אוֹרָה n.f. light
light
light of joy & happiness
base
[אוֹרָה] n.f. herb.
base
H219a אוֹרָה light. H219b אוֹרָה herb.
219 'owrah o-raw'
feminine of 216; luminousness, i.e. (figuratively)
prosperity; also a plant (as being bright):--herb, light.
see HEBREW for 0216
אוֹרָה (o.rah) — light.
1) light
2) light of joy and happiness (fig.)
אוֹרָה (o.rah) — herb.
herb
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
lit ('or, ma'or; phos; many other words):
1. Origin of Light
2. A Comprehensive Term
(1) Natural Light
(2) Artificial Light
(3) Miraculous Light
(4) Mental, Moral, Spiritual Light
3. An Attribute of Holiness
(1) God
(2) Christ
(3) Christians
(4) The Church
4. Symbolism
5. Expressive Terms
1. Origin of Light:
The creation of light was the initial step in the creation of life. "Let there be light" (Ge 1:3) was the first word of God spoken after His creative Spirit "moved" upon the primary material out of which He created the heavens and the earth, and which lay, until the utterance of that word, in the chaos of darkness and desolation. Something akin, possibly, to the all-pervasive electro-magnetic activity of the aurora borealis penetrated the chaotic night of the world. The ultimate focusing of light (on the 4th day of creation,
Light
The offspring of the divine command (Gen. 1:3). “All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light” (1 Kings 11:36; Isa. 58:8; Esther 8:16; Ps. 97:11). Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts (Ps. 119:105; Isa. 8:20; Matt. 4:16, etc.), and the glorious inheritance…
One of the most wonderful, cheering, and useful of all the works of God; called into being on the first of the six days of creation, by his voice: "Let there be light;" and there was light. No object better illustrates whatever is pure, glorious, spiritual, joyful, and beneficent. Hence the beauty and force of the expressions, "God is light," 1Jo 1:5, and "the Father of lights," Jas 1:17; Christ is the "Sun of righteousness," and "the light of the world," Joh 1:9 8:12. So also the word of God is "a light," Ps 119:105; truth and Christians are lights, Joh 3:19 12:36; prosperity is "light," Es 8:16; and heaven is full of…
שִׂמְחָה (simchah) refers to joy, gladness, and mirth. It encompasses a range of meanings from general joyfulness to religious or festival-related happiness. The word is derived from שִׂמְחָה (H8056), which also relates to pleasure and rejoicing. The entries consistently highlight its positive connotations.
שִׂמְחָה 93 n.f. joy, gladness, mirth
base
H8057 שִׂמְחָה joy, gladness, mirth
8057 simchah sim-khaw'
from 8056; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or
festival):--X exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth,
pleasure, rejoice(-ing).
see HEBREW for 08056
שִׂמְחָה (sim.chah) — joy.
1) joy, mirth, gladness
1a) mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure
1b) joy (of God)
1c) glad result, happy issue
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
→ See JOY
שָׂשׂוֹן (sasown) refers to exultation and rejoicing, encompassing meanings like gladness and cheerfulness. It is derived from a root that emphasizes joy and mirth. The term appears in contexts related to joy and celebration, but no specific verses are cited in the entries.
שָׂשׂוֹן n.m. exultation, rejoicing
base
H8342 שָׂשׂוֹן exultation, rejoicing
8342 sasown saw-sone'
or sason {saw-sone'}; from 7797; cheerfulness; specifically,
welcome:--gladness, joy, mirth, rejoicing.
see HEBREW for 07797
שָׂשׂוֹן (sa.s.von) — rejoicing.
1) gladness, joy, exultation, rejoicing
1a) exultation, joy
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
joi (simchah; chara):
1. Terms:
The idea of joy is expressed in the Old Testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah (1Sa 18:6, etc.), variously translated in English Versions of the Bible "joy," "gladness," "mirth"; from sameah, properly "to be bright," "to shine" (Pr 13:9, "The light of the righteous rejoiceth," literally, "is bright"), but generally used figuratively "to rejoice," "be glad" (Le 23:40 and very frequent).
Other nouns are masos and sason, both from sus, properly "to spring," "leap," hence, "exult," "rejoice"; rinnah, "shouting." "joy"; gil, from verb gil or gul, "to go in a circle," hence, "be excited" (dancing round for joy), "rejoice." In the New…
יְקָר (yqar) refers to concepts of value and preciousness, encompassing meanings such as wealth, costliness, honour, and dignity. It is derived from a root associated with value and is used in various contexts to denote things that are esteemed or costly. The Aramaic equivalent is also noted, which shares similar meanings.
יְקָר n.m. preciousness, price, honour
base
H3366 יְקָר
3366 yqar yek-awr'
from 3365; value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly,
costliness, dignity:--honour, precious (things), price.
see HEBREW for 03365
יְקָר (ye.qar) — preciousness.
1) price, value, preciousness, honour, splendour, pomp
1a) preciousness
1b) price
1c) honour, esteem
Aramaic equivalent: ye.qar (יְקָר "honor" H3367)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa