Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

ESTHER 7:5KJV
Know the Bible

Esther 7:5 (KJV)

What does Esther 7:5 mean?

Esther 7:5 shows King Ahasuerus reacting to Esther’s plea about a threat to her and her people. He demands to know who would dare to carry out such a plan. His questions bring Esther to the point of identifying the person responsible.

The KJV’s “durst” means “dared.” The phrase “presume in his heart” pictures someone being bold enough to set his mind on such an act. The king’s “where is he?” adds urgency to his demand for an answer.

The Hebrew behind Esther 7:5

  • “presume” — מָלֵא (maleʾ): This word often means “to fill.” Here, with “heart,” the expression carries the sense of being filled with the boldness to do something.
  • “heart” — לֵב (lev): This word can refer to a person’s inner life, including thoughts and intentions. In the king’s question, it points to the resolve behind the planned act, not simply to an emotion.

Why Esther 7:5 matters

  • The king’s questions focus on the person behind the threat. His repeated “who” and “where” prepare for Esther’s direct answer in verse 6: Haman is the adversary.
  • The words “do so” refer back to Esther’s description of her people being sold for destruction in verse 4. The king is responding to that danger as Esther has presented it to him.

Where else these words appear

“Ahasuerus” Hebrew H325 · used in 30 verses

  • Ezra 4:6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
  • Esther 2:1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
  • Esther 8:1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.

“queen” Hebrew H4436 · used in 34 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
  • Esther 1:15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
  • Esther 7:3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

“Esther” Hebrew H635 · used in 45 verses

  • Esther 2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
  • Esther 4:10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
  • 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.