Esther 4:16

Authorized King James 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 likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לֵךְ֩

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

כְּנ֨וֹס

H3664

gather together

to collect; hence, to enfold

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים

H3064

all the Jews

a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)

הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֣ים

H4672

that are present

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

בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן

H7800

in Shushan

shushan, a place in persia

אָצ֣וּם

H6684

and fast

to cover over (the mouth), i.e., to fast

עָ֠לַי

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#10

וְאַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

#11

תֹּֽאכְל֨וּ

H398

ye for me and neither eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#12

וְאַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

#13

תִּשְׁתּ֜וּ

H8354

nor drink

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

#14

שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת

H7969

three

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

#15

וָי֔וֹם

H3117

days

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

#16

לַ֣יְלָה

H3915

night

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

#17

וָי֔וֹם

H3117

days

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

#18

גַּם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#19

אֲנִ֥י

H589

#20

וְנַֽעֲרֹתַ֖י

H5291

I also and my maidens

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

#21

אָצ֣וּם

H6684

and fast

to cover over (the mouth), i.e., to fast

#22

וּבְכֵ֞ן

H3651

likewise and so

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

#23

וּבְכֵ֞ן

H3651

likewise and so

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

#24

אָב֤וֹא

H935

will I go

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#25

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#26

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙

H4428

in unto the king

a king

#27

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#28

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#29

כַדָּ֔ת

H1881

which is not according to the law

a royal edict or statute

#30

וְכַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#31

אָבָֽדְתִּי׃

I perish

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

#32

אָבָֽדְתִּי׃

I perish

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Esther Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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