Esther 4:16 kjv
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.
Esther 4:16 nkjv
"Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!"
Esther 4:16 niv
"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
Esther 4:16 esv
"Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."
Esther 4:16 nlt
"Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die."
Esther 4 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dt 9:18 | "And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first... and neither did eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins..." | Moses' intercessory fasting for Israel's sin. |
| 1 Sa 17:32 | "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail him because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine." | David's courageous stand against Goliath. |
| 2 Sa 12:16-18 | "David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth." | David's prayerful fasting for his son's life. |
| Ezr 8:21 | "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us..." | Ezra calling for a fast for divine guidance and protection. |
| Neh 1:4 | "When I heard these words... I sat down and wept and mourned for many days, and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." | Nehemiah's mourning and fasting for Jerusalem's desolation. |
| Is 58:6-7 | "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens..." | True fasting as acts of justice and mercy. |
| Jer 29:7 | "And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it..." | Call to pray for the well-being of the place of exile. |
| Dan 3:17-18 | "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us... but if not, be it known unto thee, O king..." | Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's resolute faith and willingness to die. |
| Jon 3:5-10 | "So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least." | Communal fasting leading to repentance and divine mercy. |
| Mt 6:16-18 | "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance..." | Jesus' teaching on true fasting. |
| Lk 9:24 | "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it." | Principle of losing one's life to gain it. |
| Jn 15:13 | "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." | The highest form of love through self-sacrifice. |
| Acts 4:19-20 | "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak..." | Apostolic resolve to obey God rather than man. |
| Acts 13:2-3 | "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said... and when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." | Apostolic church engaging in fasting for discernment and commissioning. |
| Rom 5:7-8 | "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." | Christ's ultimate sacrifice for humanity. |
| Rom 8:31 | "If God be for us, who can be against us?" | Confidence in God's support. |
| Phil 1:20 | "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness... Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." | Paul's commitment to honor Christ in life or death. |
| Phil 2:13 | "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." | God empowering believers to act according to His will. |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." | Boldness in approaching the Divine for help. |
| Heb 11:6 | "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." | Faith as prerequisite for divine interaction. |
| Heb 11:35 | "...others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection." | Believers choosing suffering over compromise. |
Esther 4 verses
Esther 4 16 Meaning
Esther 4:16 embodies Queen Esther's courageous resolve to risk her life for her people, the Jews. It is her definitive commitment to approach King Ahasuerus unsummoned, an act punishable by death according to Persian law. Before this perilous action, she calls for a communal, three-day fast by all Jews in Susa, pledging her own and her maidens' participation. The verse culminates in her iconic declaration, "and if I perish, I perish," signifying ultimate surrender to divine providence and acceptance of any outcome for the sake of her people's salvation.
Esther 4 16 Context
Esther 4:16 marks a pivotal turning point in the book of Esther. Haman, a high-ranking Persian official, has secured a royal decree for the annihilation of all Jews throughout the vast Persian Empire. Mordecai, Esther's cousin and guardian, learns of this plot and sends a message to Queen Esther, urging her to intercede with the king. Initially, Esther hesitates, highlighting the strict Persian law that forbade anyone, even the queen, from entering the king's presence without being summoned, on pain of death unless the king extended his golden scepter. Mordecai then sends his powerful challenge: "Do not think that in the king's palace you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" This weighty charge compels Esther to shift from self-preservation to self-sacrifice, culminating in the bold declaration of this verse, choosing faith and action over fear and inaction.
Esther 4 16 Word analysis
- Go (לֵךְ, lech): A strong imperative, denoting a direct command from Esther. It indicates active mobilization and a clear instruction.
- gather (קְבוֹץ, qebhots): Hebrew for "assemble" or "collect." Emphasizes communal unity and collective action, crucial for the success of their spiritual endeavor.
- all the Jews that are present in Shushan: Highlights the scope of the call for unity and prayer. It encompasses the entire local Jewish community, underscoring solidarity.
- fast (צוּמוּ, tsoomoo): Hebrew for "abstain from food," often with religious or spiritual purpose. It signifies a profound act of humility, repentance, and desperate appeal to God.
- ye for me: Indicates intercessory fasting – they fast for Esther's dangerous mission, seeking divine favor and protection for her.
- neither eat nor drink: Specifies the strict nature of the fast, indicating complete abstinence, reflecting utter dependence on divine intervention.
- three days, night or day: The duration signifies an intensive, continuous period of seeking God. The "three days" is a common biblical timeframe often associated with significant events (e.g., Jonah in the fish, Jesus' resurrection).
- I also and my maidens will fast likewise: Shows Esther's personal commitment and solidarity. She does not merely command; she leads by example, reinforcing the seriousness and unity of the effort, even from within the king's household.
- so will I go in unto the king: This is the core action Esther pledges. The word "so" implies "then" or "thus prepared," suggesting the fasting is a prerequisite for her daring move.
- which is not according to the law: Acknowledges the extreme risk and defiance of royal protocol, punishable by death. It underscores the gravity of her choice.
- and if I perish, I perish (וְאִם אָבַדְתִּי אָבָדְתִּי, v’im avadeti avadeti): A profound statement of resolute surrender. It's an idiomatic expression in Hebrew, meaning "come what may" or "I am resigned to my fate, even death." It conveys unwavering determination, courage in the face of death, and a trusting resignation to God's will, even though God is not explicitly mentioned in the Book of Esther. It signifies complete submission to the ultimate consequence.
- "Go, gather... and fast ye for me": This initial phrase sets Esther in a position of leadership, issuing a solemn call to her people. It signifies the shift from passive concern to active, Spirit-led preparation, emphasizing the vital role of corporate spiritual discipline before attempting a humanly impossible task.
- "neither eat nor drink three days, night or day": This phrase defines the intensity and totality of the spiritual act. The extreme measure reflects the desperate nature of the crisis and a deep reliance on divine power beyond human means or manipulation. It’s a period of concentrated focus on seeking God's intervention.
- "I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king": This combination illustrates Esther's personal commitment and the foundational role of the fast. Her leadership by example bolsters the resolve of her people. It links the spiritual preparation directly to the act of courage, indicating that her bold move is empowered by their collective supplication.
- "which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish": This climactic statement encapsulates Esther's understanding of the grave peril and her ultimate resolution. It presents a stark contrast between human law and potential divine purpose, demonstrating a courageous embrace of sacrifice for a greater cause. The repeated phrase underscores absolute determination and trust in divine sovereignty, even in the face of martyrdom.
Esther 4 16 Bonus section
The "hiddenness of God" is a notable theme in the Book of Esther, as His name is not explicitly mentioned. Yet, Esther 4:16 implicitly reveals His guiding hand. Esther's change of heart and her courageous resolve, coupled with the call for corporate fasting, demonstrate a reliance on spiritual power beyond human strategy, pointing towards divine orchestration. The willingness to die for a cause greater than oneself foreshadows the ultimate act of self-sacrifice found in Jesus Christ, where divine intervention works through human willingness and obedience. Esther's example teaches that in times of crisis, spiritual discipline and courageous action are intertwined and that God can work powerfully through individuals who surrender to His providential plan, even when the path is perilous. This verse has historically inspired many believers to take courageous stands for truth and righteousness, even in the face of significant personal cost.
Esther 4 16 Commentary
Esther 4:16 marks Esther's ultimate display of courage, faith, and leadership. After Mordecai's poignant challenge, Esther grasps the divine appointment upon her life. Her call for a three-day, night-and-day fast is a profound act of corporate intercession, recognizing that human efforts alone are insufficient against such a decree. This fasting signifies humble dependence on God's intervention and spiritual preparation for the monumental task ahead. Her participation, along with her maidens, demonstrates solidarity and true leadership, inspiring her people. The daring decision to enter the king's presence unbidden, a clear violation of Persian law punishable by death, highlights the immense personal risk involved. Her final declaration, "and if I perish, I perish," resonates as a statement of unwavering resolve and self-sacrifice. It signifies that the salvation of her people outweighed her own life, echoing the commitment seen in other biblical figures willing to risk everything for God's glory and the good of His people. This verse reveals a transformation in Esther, from a hesitant queen to a decisive heroine willing to face potential martyrdom for divine purpose, trusting God's providence even without explicit mention of His name.