Esther 5:8

8 If the king approves of me^[a] and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and perform my request,^[b] may the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will do what the king has asked."

Esther 5:8 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 5:8

If I have found favour in the sight of the king
Or, seeing she had; for it was a clear case she had, both by his holding out the golden sceptre to her, and by accepting her invitation to her banquet:

and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my
request;
as he had been so gracious as to promise in such a large and liberal manner as before expressed:

let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for
them;
the Targum says, in the evening; but from ( Esther 5:12 ) , it appears to be on the morrow; and which agrees with what follows:

and I will do tomorrow as the king hath said;
make her petition and request to him; which she had deferred, partly in hope of still increasing his affection to her, and partly to prepare him to expect something of moment and importance to be asked of him. Jarchi restrains this to what he supposes the king had often importuned her to tell, namely, who were her people and her kindred.

Esther 5:8 In-Context

6 While drinking the wine, the king asked Esther, "Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be done."

7 Esther answered, "[This is] my petition and my request:

8 If the king approves of me and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and perform my request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will do what the king has asked."

9 That day Haman left full of joy and in good spirits.But when Haman saw Mordecai at the King's Gate, and Mordecai didn't rise or tremble in fear at his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

10 Yet Haman controlled himself and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh to join him.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit If I have found favor in the eyes of the king
• [b]. Est 7:3; 8:5