“Go and assemble the Jews that are in Susa, and all of you fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night and day. My maidens and I will also fast. Then I will go in to the king contrary to the law, even if I must die.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 16. Pray. Hebrew “fast.” They might take some refreshment in the evening, (Lyran) of dried meats. Joseph. Grot.—Few constitutions could have done without any thing. Yet after two nights and one full day were elapsed, Esther ventured to go to the king. Calmet. 5:1. We have here another instance of places for prayer. Judith 6:21. The old Vulg. has, “publish a fast, and tell the ancients to fast. Let the infants be kept from the breast during the night, and let no food be given to the oxen and other animals, while I and my maids shall fast,” and so forth Then at the end of this chapter, in the Septuagint follow the prayers of Mardochai and of Esther, (Calmet. 13:8 and Calmet. 14. Bible.) which is their proper place. Calmet.