Mordecai went out from the presence of the kingThis phrase signifies a pivotal moment in the narrative of Esther. Mordecai, once a humble Jewish man, now holds a position of high honor and authority. This transformation reflects the providential reversal of fortunes, a common theme in biblical narratives. The presence of the king indicates Mordecai's newfound favor and influence, reminiscent of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt (
Genesis 41:41-43).
in royal garments of blue and white
The colors blue and white were often associated with royalty and nobility in ancient Persia. Blue, in particular, was a color of significance, symbolizing divinity and authority. The use of these colors in Mordecai's garments underscores his elevated status and the divine favor upon him. This imagery can be connected to the priestly garments described inExodus 28:31-35, which also included blue, signifying a connection to God's chosen leaders.
with a large gold crown
The gold crown represents authority and honor. In the context of the Persian Empire, such a crown would signify Mordecai's high rank and the king's trust in him. This imagery can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate victory and crowning of believers, as described in2 Timothy 4:8, where a crown of righteousness is promised to those who have kept the faith.
and a purple robe of fine linen
Purple was a color associated with wealth and royalty, as the dye was rare and expensive. The fine linen indicates quality and purity. This attire not only signifies Mordecai's new position but also reflects the biblical theme of being clothed in righteousness, as seen inIsaiah 61:10, where garments of salvation and robes of righteousness are mentioned.
And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced
The reaction of the city of Susa highlights the communal impact of Mordecai's rise. The joy and celebration reflect the relief and hope brought to the Jewish people and the city as a whole. This rejoicing can be compared to the joy of the Israelites upon their deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 15:1-21). It also prefigures the ultimate joy and celebration in the New Jerusalem, as described inRevelation 21:1-4, where God's people will rejoice in His eternal presence.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MordecaiA Jew who rose to prominence in the Persian Empire, becoming second in command to King Xerxes. His elevation symbolizes the reversal of fortune for the Jewish people.
2.
King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)The Persian king who, influenced by Esther and Mordecai, issued a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies.
3.
Susa (Shushan)The capital city of the Persian Empire, where the events of the Book of Esther take place. The city's rejoicing reflects the relief and joy of the Jewish people and their allies.
4.
Royal ApparelMordecai's attire of blue and white, with a crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple, signifies honor, authority, and the favor of the king.
5.
The DecreeThe new decree allowed the Jews to protect themselves, marking a turning point in their fate and leading to their celebration.
Teaching Points
Divine ReversalGod's providence can turn dire situations into triumphs. Mordecai's rise from mourning to honor exemplifies how God can change our circumstances.
Faithfulness RewardedMordecai's faithfulness to God and his people is rewarded with honor and authority. Our steadfastness in faith can lead to God's blessings.
Public WitnessMordecai's public display of royal apparel and the city's rejoicing serve as a testimony to God's deliverance. Our lives should reflect God's work in us, serving as a witness to others.
Community ImpactThe joy of Susa highlights the impact of individual faithfulness on the broader community. Our actions can bring about positive change and joy to those around us.
God's SovereigntyThe account of Esther and Mordecai underscores God's control over history and His ability to use individuals for His purposes. Trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem bleak.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Esther 8:15?
2.How does Mordecai's attire in Esther 8:15 symbolize God's favor and deliverance?
3.What can we learn about God's justice from Mordecai's rise in Esther 8:15?
4.How does Esther 8:15 connect to God's promises in Genesis 12:3?
5.How can we celebrate God's victories in our lives, like Mordecai in Esther 8:15?
6.What role does public recognition play in God's plan, as seen in Esther 8:15?
7.How does Esther 8:15 reflect God's providence in the lives of His people?
8.What is the significance of Mordecai's royal attire in Esther 8:15?
9.How does Esther 8:15 demonstrate the theme of reversal of fortune?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Esther 8?
11.Who was Hadassah in the Bible?
12.What is the main plot of the Book of Esther?
13.Esther 9:13-15: Why would an additional day of killing be sanctioned, and does this align with other biblical teachings on mercy and restraint?
14.How did Esther save her people from Xerxes' decree?What Does Esther 8:15 Mean
Mordecai went out from the presence of the king• Moments earlier, the king had given Mordecai the signet ring once worn by Haman (Esther 8:2), marking a complete reversal of fortunes.
• To “go out” publicly shows royal favor is now settled, not temporary. Compare Joseph leaving Pharaoh’s throne room clothed with authority inGenesis 41:41–43 and Daniel rising from Darius’s court inDaniel 6:2–3.
• The scene fulfills the promise hinted at when Mordecai was honored in chapter 6; now the honor is permanent, mirroring the certainty of God’s deliverance for His people (Psalm 34:19).
Royal garments of blue and white• Blue was often associated with majesty and divine authority (Exodus 28:31;Ezekiel 1:26). White suggests purity and justice (Isaiah 1:18;Revelation 19:8).
• Together, these colors signal that Mordecai’s elevation is both regal and righteous. What began with sackcloth (Esther 4:1) ends with splendor, displaying how “He lifts the needy from the ash heap” (1 Samuel 2:8).
• For the Jewish exiles, seeing one of their own in these colors preached hope: God had not forgotten His covenant people (Deuteronomy 7:9).
A large gold crown• A crown denotes delegated sovereignty (Proverbs 16:15). Gold underscores permanence and worth (Revelation 3:18).
• Mordecai is no puppet; he wields genuine authority to enact the new edict (Esther 8:8). The image foreshadows the promised Messiah who will wear “many crowns” (Revelation 19:12), assuring believers that righteous rule will ultimately prevail.
A purple robe of fine linen• Purple dye was costly, reserved for the highest ranks (Luke 16:19). Fine linen recalls priestly garments (Exodus 28:5–6), hinting at mediation.
• Mordecai now serves as both statesman and intercessor for his people, echoing Christ’s dual role as King and High Priest (Hebrews 7:24–26).
• The robe contrasts sharply with the mourning attire earlier mandated by Haman’s decree (Esther 4:3), illustratingIsaiah 61:3: God gives “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
The city of Susa shouted and rejoiced• Earlier, Susa was “bewildered” when Haman’s edict went out (Esther 3:15). Now the same city erupts with joy, provingProverbs 11:10: “When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices.”
• The reversal shows how godly leadership blesses everyone, not just God’s people (Proverbs 29:2).
• The public celebration confirms the irrevocable nature of the new decree; fear is replaced by gladness (Psalm 30:11).
summaryEsther 8:15 paints a vivid picture of total reversal: sackcloth exchanged for royal splendor, fear turned to citywide joy, and a once-threatened people now protected. Mordecai’s appearance in blue, white, gold, and purple proclaims that God exalts the humble and keeps His promises. The verse invites believers to trust the same God who still overturns evil, clothes His people with honor, and brings rejoicing where there was despair.
(15)
Blue and white.--See Note on
Esther 1:6.
Crown.--This is a different word from that previously used of a "royal crown" (Esther 6:8).
Garment.--The inner robe or tunic. That of the king was of purple striped with white.
Linen.--White linen.
Thecity of Shushan rejoiced.--The tide of royal favour had changed, and the people of Shushan were evidently not very different from the mass of the populace of the present day, who shout with the winning side. Nothing succeeds like success, and themobile vulgus of Susa cheered Mordecai as doubtless they would have hooted had they seen him led to execution. The crowds who welcomed our Lord into Jerusalem on His triumphal entry soon let their enthusiasm die away--" Hosanna!" now; tomorrow, "Crucify!"
Verse 15. -
Royal apparel of blue and white. The Persian monarch himself wore a purple robe and an inner vest of purple striped with white ('Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 4. pp. 153, 154). The robes of honour which he gave away were of many different colours, but generally of a single tint throughout (Xen., 'Cyrop.,' 8:3, § 3); but the one given to Mordecai seems to have been blue with white stripes. These were the colours of the royal diadem (Q. Curt., 'Vit. Alex.,' 3:3).
A great crown of gold. Not a tall crown, like that of the monarch, which is called in Hebrew
kether (Greek
κίταρις), but '
atarah, a crown of an inferior kind, frequently worn by nobles
. And with a garment of fine linen and purple. The "fine linen" was of course white. The real meaning of the word
thakrik, translated "garment," is doubtful. Gesenius understands an outer garment' 'the long and flowing robe of an Oriental monarch;" in which case the "apparel" previously mentioned must be the inner vest. Others, as Patrick, make the
thakrik to be the inner, and the "apparel" (
l'bush) the outer garment. The Septuagint, however, translates
thakrik by
διάδημα, and its conjunction with the "crown" favours this rendering. The
diadem proper of a Persian monarch was a band or fillet encircling the lower part of his crown, and was of blue, spotted or striped with white. Ahasuerus seems to have allowed Mordecai to wear a diadem of white and purple.
The city of Shushan rejoiced. As the Susanchites had been "perplexed" at the first edict (
Esther 3:15), so were they "rejoiced" at the second. Such of them as were Persians would naturally sympathise with the Jews. Even the others may have disliked Haman's edict, and have been glad to see it, practically, reversed.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Mordecaiוּמָרְדֳּכַ֞י(ū·mā·rə·do·ḵay)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4782:Mordecai -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Estherwent outיָצָ֣א ׀(yā·ṣā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximfrom the presenceמִלִּפְנֵ֣י(mil·lip̄·nê)Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceof the kingהַמֶּ֗לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingarrayedבִּלְב֤וּשׁ(bil·ḇūš)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3830:A garment, clothing, raimentin royalמַלְכוּת֙(mal·ḵūṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4438:Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdompurpleתְּכֵ֣לֶת(tə·ḵê·leṯ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8504:The cerulean mussel, the color, obtained therefrom, stuff dyed therewithand white,וָח֔וּר(wā·ḥūr)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2353:White linenwith a largeגְּדוֹלָ֔ה(gə·ḏō·w·lāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolentgoldזָהָב֙(zā·hāḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091:Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear skycrownוַעֲטֶ֤רֶת(wa·‘ă·ṭe·reṯ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5850:A crown, wreathand a purpleוְאַרְגָּמָ֑ן(wə·’ar·gā·mān)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 713:Purple, red-purplerobeוְתַכְרִ֥יךְ(wə·ṯaḵ·rîḵ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8509:A wrapper, robeof fine linen.בּ֖וּץ(būṣ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 948:CottonAnd the cityוְהָעִ֣יר(wə·hā·‘îr)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892:Excitementof Susaשׁוּשָׁ֔ן(šū·šān)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7800:Susa -- residence of person kingsshoutedצָהֲלָ֖ה(ṣā·hă·lāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6670:To gleam, be cheerful, to sound clearand rejoiced.וְשָׂמֵֽחָה׃(wə·śā·mê·ḥāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8055:To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome
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OT History: Esther 8:15 Mordecai went out of the presence (Est Esth. Es)