Esther 4:16

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.

Go {H3212}, gather together {H3664} all the Jews {H3064} that are present {H4672} in Shushan {H7800}, and fast {H6684} ye for me, and neither eat {H398} nor drink {H8354} three {H7969} days {H3117}, night {H3915} or day {H3117}: I also and my maidens {H5291} will fast {H6684} likewise; and so {H3651} will I go {H935} in unto the king {H4428}, which is not according to the law {H1881}: and if I perish {H6}, I perish {H6}.

"Go, assemble all the Jews to be found in Shushan, and have them fast for me, neither eating nor drinking for three days, night and day; also I and the girls attending me will fast the same way. Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish."

“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!”

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 in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Commentary

Context

Esther 4:16 marks a pivotal moment in the Book of Esther. Queen Esther has just received a desperate message from her cousin Mordecai, revealing Haman's wicked plot to annihilate all Jews throughout the Persian Empire. Mordecai challenges Esther to intervene, famously stating that she may have come to the kingdom for such a time as this. However, approaching the king without being summoned was punishable by death, unless the king extended his golden scepter – a terrifying risk for Esther. This verse is Esther's courageous response, demonstrating her decision to act despite the immense personal danger.

Key Themes

  • Courage and Self-Sacrifice: Esther's declaration, "if I perish, I perish," is a powerful statement of her willingness to lay down her life for her people. It exemplifies profound courage in the face of almost certain death, prioritizing the salvation of her nation over her own safety.
  • Faith and Dependence on God: Though God is not explicitly named in the Book of Esther, the call for a three-day fast by all the Jews in Shushan (Susa) indicates a deep reliance on divine intervention. This act of faith underscores the biblical principle that fasting and prayer are powerful tools for seeking God's favor and guidance in times of crisis.
  • Intercession and Leadership: Esther steps into her role as an intercessor for her people, demonstrating courageous leadership. She not only risks her life but also unites the Jewish community in a collective act of spiritual preparation.
  • Divine Providence: Esther's desperate act, undertaken with such personal risk, ultimately leads to the salvation of the Jewish people, highlighting God's unseen hand orchestrating events. Her words resonate with the spirit of divine providence, where even in the face of peril, God's unseen hand guides events for His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "if I perish, I perish" is an idiomatic expression in Hebrew ('im 'avadeti 'avadeti) that conveys absolute resolve and resignation to a potential, dire outcome. It does not imply a lack of faith or hope, but rather a firm determination to proceed despite the overwhelming odds, accepting whatever fate may come. It's a declaration of 'come what may' – a commitment to a course of action regardless of the personal cost.

Practical Application

Esther 4:16 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Embrace Courage for a Cause: We are called to stand for righteousness and justice, even when it involves personal risk or discomfort. Esther's example encourages us to act decisively when faced with opportunities to make a difference.
  • The Power of Prayer and Fasting: This verse reminds us of the spiritual discipline of fasting and its role in seeking God's will and intervention in challenging circumstances. It emphasizes collective prayer as a source of strength and unity.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even when circumstances seem dire and God's presence feels hidden, as in the Book of Esther, we can trust that He is at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for His ultimate glory and the good of His people.
  • Stepping into Our Calling: Like Esther, we are often placed in specific positions or given unique gifts "for such a time as this." This verse challenges us to discern and act upon our God-given calling, even when it requires sacrifice. Her resolve echoes the courage seen in other biblical figures who faced certain death for their faith, such as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
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Cross-References

  • Acts 20:24

    But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:3

    And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

  • Luke 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.

  • Joel 2:12

    ¶ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

  • Joel 2:17

    Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where [is] their God?

  • Genesis 18:19

    For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

  • Joshua 24:15

    ¶ And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.