Esther 4:16

Translations

Modern

“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”

Traditional

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Literal

“Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast over me, and you shall not eat and you shall not drink for three days, night and day. Also I and my young women will fast likewise, and with this I will go to the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish!”

Latin

Vade, et congrega omnes Judæos quos in Susan repereris, et orate pro me. Non comedatis et non bibatis tribus diebus et tribus noctibus: et ego cum ancillis meis similiter jejunabo, et tunc ingrediar ad regem contra legem faciens, non vocata, tradensque me morti et periculo.

Original

Hebrew

English

“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”

Notes

Esther 4:16

fast for me: Esther was convinced, but she wanted as many Jews as possible to pray for God to save her life.
Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day: A complete fast without any food or water usually lasted only one day (Leviticus 16:29–31; Judges 20:26). The three-day duration showed the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for God’s help.
I will go to the king, even though it is against the law: Despite the danger, she decided she must act for her people's sake.
And if I perish, I perish!: She, like Mordecai, was a person of character who would do what was right despite personal danger.

Theme notes and profiles

Esther

Related verses

Acts 20:24
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
2 Chronicles 20:3
Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.
Joel 2:12–17
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”
Luke 9:24
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
2 Samuel 10:12
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”
Jonah 3:4–9
On the first day of his journey, Jonah set out into the city and proclaimed, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!”
Joshua 24:15
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
Genesis 43:14
May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
Esther 5:1
On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.
Isaiah 22:12
On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.
Philippians 2:30
…because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Susa: Capital city of the Persian Empire

Glossary

Book of Esther Fast, Fasting

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Resignation In, Exemplified Corporate Prayer Courage: Personal Bravery: Esther, in Going to the King to Save Her People Decision: Esther Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Esther Fasting: Approaching Danger Fasting: National Exemplified: Israel Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Approaching Danger Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of Put to Death all Who Approached Them Without Permission Queen Esther Resignation: Exemplified Select Readings: Esther's Triumph Self-Denial: Esther Self-Denial: Esther, in Risking Her Life for the Deliverance of Her People Shushan (Susa): King's Palace At The Daniel Fast Time: Part of a Period of, Usually Counted As the Whole Women: Esther

Esther 4:16

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