If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

ESTHER 5:8KJV
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Esther 5:8 (KJV)

What does Esther 5:8 mean?

Esther 5:8 shows Queen Esther using a formal appeal to invite the king and Haman to another banquet before revealing what she wants. She promises to answer the king the next day, keeping him waiting for the request he has asked her to make.

Esther speaks with deference: “If I have found favour in the sight of the king” appeals to his goodwill toward her. After the king has asked about her petition in verse 6, her answer introduces another meeting rather than giving its substance.

The Hebrew behind Esther 5:8

  • “favour” — חֵן (ḥen): This word can mean goodwill or acceptance. Esther’s phrase presents her invitation as depending on the king’s favorable regard.
  • “banquet” — מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh): This word can refer to a feast or a drinking occasion. The name draws attention to drinking, though the gathering could also include food.
  • “petition” — שְׁאֵלָה (sheʾelah): This word means something asked for. Esther uses it for the appeal the king has offered to hear, even as she leaves its substance for later.

Why Esther 5:8 matters

  • Esther includes Haman as well as the king in the next gathering. Her request is specific: “let the king and Haman come,” placing Haman at the meeting where she will answer.
  • Esther’s promise gives the king a definite time to expect her answer. “To morrow” sets a limit on the delay, rather than leaving the matter open-ended.
  • The invitation prepares for Esther’s later appeal about her people. At the second banquet, she asks for her life and the lives of her people in Esther 7:3–4.

Where else these words appear

“request” Hebrew H1246 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezra 7:6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
  • Esther 5:6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
  • Esther 7:2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

“petition” Hebrew H7596 · used in 14 verses

  • Judges 8:24 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey.(For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
  • 1 Kings 2:16 And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on.
  • Esther 7:2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

“please” Hebrew H2895 · used in 33 verses

  • Numbers 10:29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
  • 1 Samuel 20:12 And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;
  • Job 10:3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

“banquet” Hebrew H4960 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Esther 1:9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
  • Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.