And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:

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

What does Esther 8:5 mean?

Esther 8:5 shows Queen Esther respectfully asking King Ahasuerus to undo the decree that Haman had written to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. Esther appeals to the king’s favor and sense of justice, requesting that he officially reverse Haman’s letters so her people can be saved.

In this verse, Esther is speaking directly to the king after Haman’s plot has been exposed. She uses careful, humble language, making her request conditional on the king’s approval and her standing with him. Esther’s plea is not just personal but also legal, asking for a new written order to counteract the previous one that threatened her people’s lives.

The Hebrew behind Esther 8:5

  • "please" (טוֹב, tov): This word means "good" or "pleasing." Esther uses it twice, emphasizing her hope that her request will be seen as both agreeable and right in the king’s eyes.
  • "reverse" (שׁוּב, shuv): This verb means "to turn back" or "to reverse." Esther is asking for a complete undoing of Haman’s decree, not just a softening of its effects.
  • "letters" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This word refers to official written documents. Esther’s request is specific—she wants the king to issue new written orders, not just give a verbal command.

Why Esther 8:5 matters

  • Esther’s approach shows her wisdom and courage; she does not demand, but appeals to the king’s sense of justice and personal connection to her.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of royal decrees in the Persian Empire—once written, they could not simply be ignored, so Esther must ask for a formal reversal.
  • This moment is a turning point in the story, as Esther moves from pleading for her own life to advocating for all her people, using her influence to seek justice.