Teks -- Esther 8:17 (NET)

8:17 Throughout every province and throughout every city where the king’s edict and his law arrived, the Jews experienced happiness and joy, banquets and holidays. Many of the resident peoples pretended to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had overcome them.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Clarke: Est 8:17 - Many - became Jews; for - fear

Many - became Jews; for - fear - These were a species of converts not likely to bring much honor to true religion: but the sacred historian states the simple fact. They did profess Judaism for fear of the Jews, whether they continued steady in that faith or not

It is only the Gospel which will not admit of coercion for the propagation and establishment of its doctrines. It is a spiritual system, and can be propagated only by spiritual influence. As it proclaims holiness of heart and life, which nothing but the Spirit of God can produce, so it is the Spirit of God alone that can persuade the understanding and change the heart. If the kingdom of Christ were of this world, then would his servants fight. But it is not from hence.

TSK: Est 8:17 - a feast // many of the people // for the fear

a feast : Est 9:17, Est 9:19, Est 9:22; 1Sa 25:8; Neh 8:10

many of the people : Psa 18:43; Zec 8:20-23

for the fear : Est 9:2; Gen 35:5; Exo 15:16; Deu 2:25, Deu 11:25

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Est 8:17 - A feast and a good day // The fear of the Jews

A feast and a good day i.e. a time of feasting and rejoicing, and thanksgiving,

The fear of the Jews when possibly they had irritated by their former threatenings, and now gave this evidence of their repentance, that they were willing to submit to that severe precept of circumcision.

Haydock: Est 8:17 - Ceremonies

Ceremonies. Becoming acquainted with the sanctity of the law, and the protection which God gave to his people. (Menochius) ---

Hebrew, "the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast, and a good day, and many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews," &c. (Protestants) (Haydock)

Gill: Est 8:17 - And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came // the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day // and many of the people of the land became Jews // for the fear of the Jews fell upon them

And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came,.... As they did to every province in the realm, and to every city in the province, where there were any Jews:

the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day; they expressed their joy on this occasion by keeping a festival, which in their language is called a good day; and such an one is annually kept by them unto this day, on account of their deliverance; of which see Est 9:27

and many of the people of the land became Jews; or were proselyted, as both the Targums and Jarchi interpret it; they embraced the Jewish religion, and submitted to the rites and ceremonies of it; were circumcised, as in the Septuagint version, and so were proselytes of righteousness; and indeed no other could they be, dwelling in their own land; many of them very probably were serious in it, observing the wonderful manner in which the Jews were delivered; wherein manifestly appeared to them the providence of God, the hand of the Supreme Being, and from hence concluded their God must be the true God, and they his favourite people, and their religion most correct; though others might only do it to gain the favour of Esther and Mordecai, who had now such great power and influence at court:

for the fear of the Jews fell upon them; lest they should be slain by them, in virtue of this new edict.