John Gill Commentary Esther 8:15

John Gill Commentary

Esther 8:15

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Esther 8:15

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"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." — Esther 8:15 (ASV)

And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king
And walked or rode about in the city to show himself to his friends:

in royal apparel of blue and white ;
such as the Persian kings wore, and were not allowed to any other, as Xenophon writes F7 :

and with a great crown of gold ;
a coronet, such as princes and nobles wear; the latter Targum calls it a great golden chain, and such the eastern kings used to give to their favourites; see (Daniel 5:29) ,

and with a garment of fine linen and purple ;
this must be an inner garment, since it is distinct from the royal robe before mentioned; though as the word signifies a wrap, or roll, it may design a turban, which was a roll of linen wrapped about the head; and such was the Persian diadem, according to Curtius F8 , which was of a purple colour, mixed with white; and so the Septuagint version is, "and a diadem of fine linen, of a purple colour"; and if so, the crown of gold was not worn on his head, nor is it likely it should be allowed, but was carried before him, (See Gill on Esther 6:8),

and the city of Shushan rejoiced, and was glad ;
not only the Jews in it, but the native inhabitants of it, that had any sense of humanity, expressed their joy at the sight of Mordecai thus arrayed; that so good a man was advanced at court, and so bad a man as Haman was displaced and put to death; see (Proverbs 29:2) .


FOOTNOTES:

  • F7: Cyropaedia, l. 8. c. 23.
  • F8: Hist. l. 3. c. 3. & l. 6. c. 6. Vid. Solerium de Pileo, sect. 9.