Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “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.” New Living Translation “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.” English Standard Version “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.” Berean Standard Bible “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!” Berean Literal Bible “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!” King James Bible 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. New King James Version “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!” New American Standard Bible “Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants also will fast in the same way. And then I will go in to the king, which is not in accordance with the law; and if I perish, I perish.” NASB 1995 “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” NASB 1977 “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Legacy Standard Bible “Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Amplified Bible “Go, gather all the Jews that are present in Susa, and observe a fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids also will fast in the same way. Then I will go in to [see] the king [without being summoned], which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Berean Annotated Bible “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa (lily), 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 (if I am destroyed, then I will be destroyed!)! Christian Standard Bible “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, day or night. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version "Bring together all the Jews in Susa and tell them to go without eating for my sake! Don't eat or drink for three days and nights. My servant girls and I will do the same. Then I will go in to see the king, even if it means I must die." English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Assemble all the Jews in Susa. Fast for me: Do not eat or drink at all for three entire days. My servants and I will also fast. After that, I will go to the king, even if it is against a royal decree. If I die, I die." Good News Translation "Go and get all the Jews in Susa together; hold a fast and pray for me. Don't eat or drink anything for three days and nights. My servant women and I will be doing the same. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. If I must die for doing it, I will die." International Standard Version "Go and gather all the Jewish people who are in Susa and fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, night or day. Both I and my young women will also fast in the same way, and then I'll go in to the king, even though it's against the law. And if I perish, I perish." NET Bible "Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa and fast in my behalf. Don't eat and don't drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. If I perish, I perish!" New Heart English Bible "Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I and my maidens will also fast the same way. Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish." Webster's Bible Translation Go, assemble 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 to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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!” World English Bible “Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Susa, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I and my maidens will also fast the same way. Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Shushan, and fast for me, and do not eat nor drink three days, by night and by day; also I and my young women fast likewise, and so I go in to the king, that [is] not according to law, and when I have perished—I have perished.” Berean Literal Bible “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!” Young's Literal Translation Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Shushan, and fast for me, and do not eat nor drink three days, by night and by day; also I and my young women do fast likewise, and so I go in unto the king, that is not according to law, and when I have perished -- I have perished.' Smith's Literal Translation Go collect together all the Jews being found in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and ye shall not eat and ye shall not drink three days, night and day also I and my maidens will fast thus and in this I will go in to the king which is not according to the edict; and according to that I perished, I perished. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleGo, and gather together all the Jews whom thou shalt find in Susan, and pray ye for me. Neither eat nor drink for three days and three nights: and I with my handmaids will fast in like manner, and then I will go in to the king, against the law, not being called, and expose myself to death and to danger. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible “Go and assemble all the Jews who are in Susa; fast on my behalf, all of you, not eating or drinking night or day for three days. I and my maids will also fast in the same way. Thus prepared, I will go to the king, contrary to the law. If I perish, I perish!” New Revised Standard Version “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleGo, gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan the pal ace, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day; I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and then I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “Go gather all the Jews who are in Shushan the Palace and fast for me and you will not eat neither will you drink three days, night or day, also I and my Maidens will fast in this way; then I will enter before the King, which is not according to my law, and if I am destroyed, I am destroyed.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Go, 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.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Go and assemble the Jews that are in Susa, and fast ye for me, and eat not and drink not for three days, night and day: and I also and my maidens will fast; and then I will go in to the king contrary to the law, even if I must die. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Mordecai Appeals to Esther…15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16“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!” 17So Mordecai went and did all that Esther had instructed him.… Cross References Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, Joel 2:15-16 Blow the ram’s horn in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a sacred assembly. / Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. / So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him. Nehemiah 8:1 At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. and fast for me. Ezra 8:21-23 And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. / For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.” / So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request. Daniel 9:3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Joel 1:14 Consecrate a fast; proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, 1 Samuel 30:12 a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins. So he ate and was revived, for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights. Acts 9:9 For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything. Jonah 3:5 And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. and I and my maidens will fast as you do. Esther 2:9 And the young woman pleased him and obtained his favor, so he quickly provided her with beauty treatments and the special diet. He assigned to her seven select maidservants from the palace and transferred her with them to the best place in the harem. Acts 13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Luke 2:37 and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. 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. Daniel 6:10-13 Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. / Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. / So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: “Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The king replied, “According to the law of the Medes and Persians the order stands, and it cannot be repealed.” … Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. And if I perish, I perish!” Job 13:15 Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face. Treasury of Scripture Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast you 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 to the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. present. 2 Chronicles 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. Isaiah 22:12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: Joel 1:14,15 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, … eat nor drink. Esther 5:1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Acts 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. I also. 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. Acts 10:7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; if I perish. Genesis 43:14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. 1 Samuel 19:5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? 2 Samuel 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good. Jump to Previous Drink Eat Fast Gather Jews Law Maidens Night Perish Present Shushan Three Together WayJump to Next Drink Eat Fast Gather Jews Law Maidens Night Perish Present Shushan Three Together WayEsther 4 1. The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews.4. Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, 7. who shows the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit. 10. She, excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai. 15. She, appointing a fast, undertakes the suit. Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa This phrase highlights the urgency and communal nature of the crisis facing the Jewish people. Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, was a significant city where many Jews lived in exile. The call to assemble indicates a collective action, emphasizing unity and solidarity among the Jewish community. This gathering for a common purpose reflects the biblical principle of corporate prayer and fasting seen in other scriptures, such as Joel 2:15-16, where the people are called to gather for a sacred assembly. 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! Persons / Places / Events 1. EstherA Jewish queen of Persia who is faced with the challenge of saving her people from destruction. Her courage and faith are central to this passage. 2. Mordecai Esther's cousin and guardian, who informs her of Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews and urges her to intervene with the king. 3. Susa The capital of the Persian Empire where the events of the Book of Esther take place. It is the location where the Jews are called to fast. 4. The King (Ahasuerus/Xerxes) The Persian king whom Esther must approach without being summoned, risking her life in doing so. 5. Fasting A spiritual discipline involving abstaining from food and drink, used here as a means of seeking divine intervention and guidance. Teaching Points The Power of Fasting and PrayerFasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with God's will and invites His intervention in dire circumstances. Courage in the Face of Danger Esther's willingness to risk her life teaches us about the importance of courage and faith when standing up for righteousness. Community Support in Times of Crisis Esther's call for communal fasting highlights the strength found in collective prayer and support during challenging times. Obedience Over Comfort Esther's decision to approach the king, despite the risk, underscores the importance of obedience to God's call over personal safety and comfort. Trusting God's Sovereignty Esther's statement, "If I perish, I perish," reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and plan, regardless of the outcome. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Esther 4:16?2. How does Esther 4:16 demonstrate the power of fasting and prayer? 3. What can we learn from Esther's courage in Esther 4:16 for today? 4. How does Esther 4:16 connect to Philippians 4:6 about prayer and anxiety? 5. How can we apply Esther's willingness to risk her life in our faith? 6. What role does community support play in Esther 4:16's call to fast? 7. How does Esther 4:16 demonstrate faith in God's plan despite fear and uncertainty? 8. What does Esther 4:16 reveal about the role of fasting and prayer in decision-making? 9. How does Esther's courage in 4:16 challenge modern views on personal sacrifice for a greater cause? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Esther 4? 11. Why did Jesus say He would be in the tomb for "three days and three nights" (Matthew 12:40) when He was only buried from Friday to Sunday? 12. What is the main plot of the Book of Esther? 13. What does the Bible teach about courage? 14. Does the three-day fast in Esther 4:16 conflict with known historical or cultural practices of the time? What Does Esther 4:16 Mean Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa• Esther calls for collective action, recognizing that God’s covenant people stand or fall together (cf. Joel 2:15-17; Nehemiah 1:2-4). • The physical gathering underscores literal solidarity; no one is left to fight alone (Hebrews 10:24-25). • By summoning “all,” Esther treats every Jew as indispensable, reflecting God’s view of His people (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). And fast for me • She humbly seeks intercession, admitting her need for others’ spiritual support (1 Samuel 12:23). • Fasting redirects attention from earthly resources to divine intervention (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). • Personal pronoun “for me” shows that standing in the gap for specific individuals is biblical (Acts 12:5). Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day • A total, urgent fast—echoing the Ninevites’ response in Jonah 3:5-10 and Paul’s three-day fast in Acts 9:9. • Three days signal completeness and foreshadow God’s decisive action (cf. Hosea 6:2; Matthew 12:40). • Denying basic sustenance highlights the severity of the crisis and the earnestness of their plea (Psalm 35:13). I and my maidens will fast as you do • Esther leads by example; godly leadership never asks what it will not do itself (Judges 4:9). • Her maidens—likely Gentiles—join in, showing that faith testimony reaches beyond ethnic lines (Ruth 1:16; Zechariah 8:23). • Corporate fasting unites social classes under one purpose before God (Isaiah 58:6-9). After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law • Action follows prayer; faith without works is dead (James 2:17). • She respects authority yet understands that God’s higher law supersedes human edicts when they conflict (Acts 5:29). • Courage rests on the conviction that God directs the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1). And if I perish, I perish! • Total surrender mirrors Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s resolve (Daniel 3:16-18) and the apostles’ boldness (Acts 20:24). • Esther entrusts her life to God’s sovereignty, echoing “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). • Her statement models discipleship that counts the cost yet presses forward (Luke 9:23-24). summary Esther 4:16 records a deliberate, communal appeal to God, followed by courageous obedience. Esther unites the Jews in a total fast, joins them herself, and then steps into mortal danger, trusting God with the outcome. The verse teaches the power of unified intercession, the necessity of faith-driven action, and the willingness to stake everything on God’s sovereign purposes. Hebrew “Goלֵךְ֩ (lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk and assemble כְּנ֨וֹס (kə·nō·ws) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3664: To collect, to enfold all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the Jews הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3064: Jews -- Jewish who can be found הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֣ים (han·nim·ṣə·’îm) Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present in Susa, בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן (bə·šū·šān) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7800: Susa -- residence of person kings and fast וְצ֣וּמוּ (wə·ṣū·mū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 6684: To abstain from food, fast for me. עָ֠לַי (‘ā·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Do not וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 408: Not eat תֹּאכְל֨וּ (tō·ḵə·lū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 398: To eat or drink תִּשְׁתּ֜וּ (tiš·tū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 8354: To imbibe day וָי֔וֹם (wā·yō·wm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day or night לַ֣יְלָה (lay·lāh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity for three שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ) Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice days, יָמִים֙ (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day and I אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I and my maidens וְנַעֲרֹתַ֖י (wə·na·‘ă·rō·ṯay) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 5291: A girl, maiden will fast אָצ֣וּם (’ā·ṣūm) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 6684: To abstain from food, fast as you do. כֵּ֑ן (kên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus After that, וּבְכֵ֞ן (ū·ḇə·ḵên) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus I will go אָב֤וֹא (’ā·ḇō·w) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the king, הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king even though אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that it is against לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no the law, כַדָּ֔ת (ḵad·dāṯ) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1881: A royal edict, statute and if וְכַאֲשֶׁ֥ר (wə·ḵa·’ă·šer) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that I perish, אָבַ֖דְתִּי (’ā·ḇaḏ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish I perish.” אָבָֽדְתִּי׃ (’ā·ḇā·ḏə·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish Links Esther 4:16 NIVEsther 4:16 NLT Esther 4:16 ESV Esther 4:16 NASB Esther 4:16 KJV Esther 4:16 BibleApps.com Esther 4:16 Biblia Paralela Esther 4:16 Chinese Bible Esther 4:16 French Bible Esther 4:16 Catholic Bible OT History: Esther 4:16 Go gather together all the Jews who (Est Esth. 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