Definition: And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Esther 8:15. It's a really important story about protecting a Jewish woman! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, Mordecai, a royal advisor to King Ahasuerus (who was the king of Persia), left his office to go meet with the queen, Vashti. Here’s a breakdown of what happened next: “And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white…” – Think of it like this: Mordecai was dressed up and looking important – he was leaving his position of power. He was wearing clothes that showed he was a high-ranking official. “…and with a great crown of gold, and a garment of fine linen and purple:” - This describes the very fancy clothing he wore. It’s like a regal robe, shimmering with jewels, and made of the finest materials. It was incredibly luxurious! “And the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.” – This is the big part! Because Mordecai left his post, the people of Shushan (the city across the Euphrates River) were happy. They cheered and celebrated! It wasn't just a simple "thank you"; they felt joy and relief because they weren’t being forced to show their faces to the king. So, what does this verse tell us about power and protection? It shows that Mordecai was quietly working to protect Esther – who is actually the queen of Persia – from potential trouble with her husband, Ahasuerus. He was acting as a hidden protector, keeping the situation safe for the kingdom. In short: Mordecai’s actions were a clever way to prevent a dangerous situation from happening and ultimately protect the people of Shushan. Do you want me to explain anything in more detail? For example, would you like to know: What was happening before this verse? Why was Esther important? What does this verse tell us about courage and responsibility?