Esther 5:8

8 1if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do what I request, may the king and Haman come to 2the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says."

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 As they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, "What is your petition, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done."
7 So Esther replied, "My petition and my request is:
8 if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do what I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says."
9 Then Haman went out that day glad and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai.
10 Haman controlled himself, however, went to his house and sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Esther 7:3; Esther 8:5
  • 2. Esther 6:14

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lit "my request"
  • [b]. Lit "according to the word of the king"
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