Definition: And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, [there was] great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Esther 4:3. It describes a very serious situation that caused widespread grief and sorrow within the Jewish community. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Core of the Verse: “And in every province, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: "In every province..." : This means that the king’s laws and instructions (like rules or orders) were being enforced everywhere – across all different regions and areas. Think of it like a rule that everyone had to follow, no matter where they lived. "...wherever the king's commandment and his decree came..." : This is crucial. It means that every single law or instruction issued by King Ahasuerus (the king at the time) was causing trouble. It wasn’t just one specific rule; it was a whole system of rules that was disrupting everything. "...there was great mourning..." : This is the most important part – it means people were deeply sad . It wasn't just a little bit upset, but a significant outpouring of grief and sorrow. "...among the Jews..." : It’s specifically about the Jewish people. They were feeling incredibly burdened by this new rule. "...and fasting, and weeping, and wailing..." : This describes the actions they took in response to the sadness. They stopped working, stopped eating, and cried out in despair. It was a public display of their sorrow. "...many lay in sackcloth and ashes." : This is a really powerful image. "Sackcloth" refers to a cloth that's soaked with water – often used for mourning or remembrance. "Ashes" suggests a complete devastation - a loss so great that it leaves nothing but destruction. It means the Jewish people were completely covered in grief and despair, like they were buried under a layer of sorrow. What’s the Significance? This verse tells us that when King Ahasuerus issued a new law, it had a huge impact on the Jewish community. It was a shock to them, and they reacted with overwhelming sadness and distress. It highlights the importance of laws and regulations and how they can deeply affect people. In short: The king’s rules caused immense sorrow among the Jews because they were disrupting their lives and causing widespread grief. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail (e.g., why it was so impactful)? Compare it to another Bible passage?