Susa
Winter palace of the Persian Empire; setting of the stories of Esther and Nehemiah.
First mentioned in the Bible
“Go and gather all the Jews in Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast likewise. Then I will go in to the king, even though it is against the law. If I am to perish, I will perish.”— Esther 4:16
Background
Susa was the winter capital of the Persian Empire, in present-day southwestern Iran. The story of Esther took place in the palace of Susa: the Jewish orphan Esther was chosen as queen of King Ahasuerus, and later risked her life to expose Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews, saving her people (Esther 4:16). Nehemiah was also serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in Susa when he requested permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 1:1-3).
Related Scriptures (New World Translation)
“Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Shuʹshan and fast in my behalf. Do not eat or drink for three days, night and day. I along with my female attendants will also fast. I will go in to the king, which is against the law, and if I am to perish, I will perish.”— Esther 4:16Explore Susa on the interactive map →
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