Study Desk

He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.

Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai,

"All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned^(f) the king has but one law:^(g) that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter^(h) to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king."

When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai,

he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape.

For if you remain silent⁽ⁱ⁾ at this time, relief^(j) and deliverance^(k) 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?"^(l)

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:

"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast^(m) 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."⁽ⁿ⁾