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.
Original Language Analysis
לֵךְ֩
H1980
לֵךְ֩
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 32
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 32
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים
all the Jews
H3064
הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים
all the Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
5 of 32
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֣ים
that are present
H4672
הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֣ים
that are present
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
6 of 32
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
עָ֠לַי
H5921
עָ֠לַי
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
10 of 32
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֹּֽאכְל֨וּ
ye for me and neither eat
H398
תֹּֽאכְל֨וּ
ye for me and neither eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
11 of 32
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
12 of 32
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת
three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת
three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
14 of 32
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
וָי֔וֹם
days
H3117
וָי֔וֹם
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 32
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לַ֣יְלָה
night
H3915
לַ֣יְלָה
night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
16 of 32
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וָי֔וֹם
days
H3117
וָי֔וֹם
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
17 of 32
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
18 of 32
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
וְנַֽעֲרֹתַ֖י
I also and my maidens
H5291
וְנַֽעֲרֹתַ֖י
I also and my maidens
Strong's:
H5291
Word #:
20 of 32
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
וּבְכֵ֞ן
likewise and so
H3651
וּבְכֵ֞ן
likewise and so
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
22 of 32
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
וּבְכֵ֞ן
likewise and so
H3651
וּבְכֵ֞ן
likewise and so
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
23 of 32
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
27 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
28 of 32
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְכַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
וְכַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
30 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Acts 20:24But 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 20:3And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.Luke 9:24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.Genesis 18:19For 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 24:15And 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.
Historical Context
Three-day fasts appear throughout Scripture marking extreme crisis and desperate prayer (Exodus 19:11; 1 Samuel 30:12; Jonah 1:17). Total fasting (no food or water) for three days represents life-threatening austerity, possible only for limited duration. The corporate nature—all Shushan's Jews participating—created community solidarity and combined spiritual appeal to God. Esther's personal participation ("I and my maidens") demonstrated she shared the community's sacrifice rather than merely directing it from safety. Approaching the king unbidden risked immediate execution unless he extended the golden scepter (v. 11). Esther's decision to proceed after fasting showed both spiritual preparation and willing self-sacrifice for her people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Esther's combination of fasting (spiritual preparation) and courageous action model faith that both prays and acts?
- What does 'if I perish, I perish' teach about faithful obedience that trusts God with outcomes rather than demanding guaranteed success?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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's response demonstrates both spiritual dependence and courageous resolve. She calls for corporate fasting—all Shushan's Jews joining her and her maidens in three days of total fasting (no food or water). Fasting signals desperate prayer and appeal to God, though again His name isn't mentioned. The phrase "fast ye for me" indicates vicarious intercession—the community appeals to God on Esther's behalf. After three days of fasting, she will approach the king "which is not according to the law"—acknowledging the risk. Her famous declaration "if I perish, I perish" (ve-ka'asher avadeti avadeti, וְכַאֲשֶׁר אָבַדְתִּי אָבָדְתִּי) expresses resolute commitment despite mortal danger. This models faithful obedience: discerning God's call, preparing through prayer and fasting, then acting courageously while entrusting outcomes to Him.