Esther 5:1 kjv
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
Esther 5:1 nkjv
Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house.
Esther 5:1 niv
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.
Esther 5:1 esv
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace.
Esther 5:1 nlt
On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance.
Esther 5 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Third Day Significance | ||
| Gen 22:4 | On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off. | Abraham's sacrifice on the third day. |
| Exod 19:10-11 | And the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today...on the third day..." | Preparation for meeting God on Sinai. |
| Josh 2:16 | She said to them, “Go to the hills, lest the pursuers meet you, and hide there three days...” | Rahab advises spies to hide for three days. |
| 1 Sam 30:1 | ...and David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day. | David’s return and decisive action. |
| Hos 6:2 | After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up... | Prophetic reference to spiritual revival/resurrection. |
| Jon 1:17 (or Jon 2:10) | Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. | Jonah’s miraculous preservation for three days. |
| Matt 16:21 | From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things...and be killed, and be raised again the third day. | Prophecy of Christ's resurrection. |
| 1 Cor 15:3-4 | ...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. | Christ's resurrection as foundational truth. |
| Risking Life / Intercession | ||
| Exod 32:30-32 | Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin...perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” | Moses interceding for Israel, risking himself. |
| Deut 4:10 | ...especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb... | Israel standing before God in solemnity. |
| Num 27:1-7 | Then came the daughters of Zelophehad...and they stood before Moses... | Daughters of Zelophehad making an appeal. |
| Neh 1:4-6 | ...I sat down and wept and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. | Nehemiah's intercessory prayer and fasting. |
| Mark 10:45 | For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. | Christ as the ultimate intercessor and self-sacrifice. |
| Rom 5:8 | But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. | Christ's sacrificial death. |
| Phil 2:6-8 | who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation... | Christ's humble self-sacrifice. |
| Heb 7:25 | Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. | Christ's ongoing intercession for believers. |
| Divine Favor / Presence with Rulers | ||
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. | God's sovereignty over rulers' decisions. |
| Gen 39:21 | But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. | God's favor granted to Joseph. |
| Gen 41:37-40 | So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants... | Joseph gains Pharaoh's favor. |
| Ezra 7:6 | This Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses... and the king granted him all his request... | Ezra finds favor with the king. |
| Neh 2:4-6 | Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), "How long will your journey be...?" | Nehemiah receiving favor from Artaxerxes. |
| Dan 1:9 | Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. | Daniel gaining favor from officials. |
| Dan 2:46-48 | Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel... | Daniel given high status by the king. |
Esther 5 verses
Esther 5 1 Meaning
Esther 5:1 describes the culmination of Esther's courageous three-day fast and preparation. Queen Esther, adorned in her royal robes, boldly steps into the inner court of King Ahasuerus's palace, a highly perilous act forbidden by Persian law unless specifically summoned. Her decision to stand directly visible to the king, who sat in judgment on his royal throne, marked a pivotal moment of self-sacrificial faith and strategic action to intercede for her condemned people, relying on divine favor amidst mortal danger.
Esther 5 1 Context
Esther 5:1 follows the climax of chapter 4, where Mordecai impresses upon Esther her unique position "for such a time as this" (Esth 4:14) to intercede for her people, who faced annihilation under Haman's decree. Esther, realizing the gravity and the spiritual dimension of her mission, bravely responds, "If I perish, I perish!" (Esth 4:16). She then calls for a three-day fast among all the Jews in Susa, including herself and her attendants. This verse marks the end of that fast and the critical moment when Esther puts her life on the line. In Persian custom, approaching the king without being summoned was punishable by death, unless the king extended his golden scepter as a sign of mercy and acceptance. This context emphasizes the extreme personal danger Esther faced and the profound faith and courage required for her action.
Esther 5 1 Word analysis
- Now it came to pass (וַיְהִי, vayhi): A common Hebrew narrative marker, indicating a sequential event, often signaling a significant development or turning point in the story. It connects this bold action to the prior preparation.
- on the third day (בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי, bayyom ha-shelishi): More than just a time marker, the "third day" holds significant biblical resonance. It often precedes or marks a moment of divine intervention, decisive action, or resurrection, hinting at a new beginning or a climactic event following a period of trial or preparation (e.g., God appearing to Israel at Sinai, Jonah’s deliverance, Christ’s resurrection). For Esther, it signifies the culmination of prayer and fasting, a divinely appointed time for action.
- that Esther (אֶסְתֵּר, Ester): The central figure, whose Persian name means "star." Her Hebrew name was Hadassah ("myrtle"). She is depicted as embodying royal dignity while acting with faith under pressure.
- put on (וַתִּלְבַּשׁ, vatilbash): Indicates a deliberate, intentional act of dressing. This was not accidental or casual, but a carefully planned and ritualistic preparation for a momentous encounter.
- her royal apparel (מַלְכוּת, malkhut): Literally "royalty" or "royal." This signifies the official garb of a queen, denoting her status and dignity. It may have been a way to honor the king, appeal to his sense of proper order, and remind him of her legitimate position, though it did not grant immunity from the law for uninvited entry.
- and stood (וַתַּעֲמֹד, vata'amod): A posture of readiness, resolution, and submission, yet also a powerful declaration. She did not kneel immediately, but stood her ground, asserting her presence and intention. It underscores her courage in placing herself directly in harm's way.
- in the inner court (בַּחֲצַר בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ הַפְּנִימִית, bachatzar beit ha-melech ha-penimit): This was the most dangerous part of the palace for unsummoned individuals. It was directly adjacent to the king's throne room or presence chamber. Access was strictly regulated, and trespassing carried the penalty of death unless pardoned by the king’s scepter. This highlights the immense risk Esther took.
- of the king's house (בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ, beit ha-melech): Refers to the royal palace complex.
- over against (נֶגֶד, neged): Meaning "opposite," "in front of," or "in full view of." Esther deliberately positioned herself so the king would see her. It highlights her intent to draw his attention.
- and the king sat (וְהַמֶּלֶךְ יוֹשֵׁב, vehammelech yoshev): Indicates the king was formally enthroned, in a position of authority and governance, ready to dispense justice or make decrees. His seated posture contrasts with Esther's standing, emphasizing his absolute power.
- upon his royal throne (עַל כִּסֵּא מַלְכוּתוֹ, 'al kisse malkhuto): The throne symbolized absolute monarchical authority, the locus of all power, life, and death decisions. This underscores the gravitas of the encounter.
- in the royal house (בְּבֵית הַמַּלְכוּת, beveit ha-malkhut): Refers specifically to the building or hall within the palace complex where the king held court and exercised his regal functions.
- over against the gate of the house (נֶגֶד פֶּתַח הַבַּיִת, neged petach habbayit): Esther positioned herself directly visible from the entry point, ensuring the king's eye would fall upon her.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel": This phrase encapsulates Esther's complete readiness – spiritually through the fasting culminating on the "third day" and physically by dressing in her royal attire. It portrays a moment of stepping fully into her God-ordained role with preparation and dignity.
- "stood in the inner court...and the king sat upon his royal throne": This juxtaposition highlights the extreme tension and power dynamic. Esther, the vulnerable supplicant, stands in peril in the death-zone, facing the king, the embodiment of absolute power, sitting in untouchable authority on his throne. This visual contrast underscores her immense faith and courage.
Esther 5 1 Bonus section
The Book of Esther is unique in the Bible for not explicitly mentioning God's name, yet His providential hand is undeniable throughout the narrative. Esther 5:1 exemplifies this: Esther's courageous action, while humanly driven, is understood as a key moment where divine providence works through human instrumentality. The choice of "the third day" also typologically anticipates significant biblical deliverances and resurrections, subtly pointing to God's ultimate plan of salvation and victory through seemingly impossible circumstances. Esther's act of intercession, risking her life for her people, can be seen as a shadow of Christ's ultimate intercession, where He gave His life to deliver humanity. For believers today, Esther’s example provides a model of faith-filled courage and preparedness when called to act on God’s behalf in difficult or dangerous situations, reminding us that God uses yielded vessels for His sovereign purposes.
Esther 5 1 Commentary
Esther 5:1 marks the dramatic fulfillment of Esther’s declaration, "If I perish, I perish." After three days of prayer and fasting, a spiritual and physical preparation, Esther emerges in her queenly splendor. Her entrance into the forbidden inner court, fully aware of the death penalty for an uninvited approach, is a supreme act of faith and courageous obedience. It reveals not only her personal resolve but also the strategic timing and divine prompting. By dressing in royal apparel, she embraced her God-given position and dignity even while risking her life. The scene is set with immense tension: the queen stands exposed, vulnerable yet resolute, before the omnipotent king seated on his throne of judgment, highlighting the dependence on divine favor for a life-or-death outcome.