Esther 5:6 kjv
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 5:6 nkjv
At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, "What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!"
Esther 5:6 niv
As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, "Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted."
Esther 5:6 esv
And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, "What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled."
Esther 5:6 nlt
And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, "Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!"
Esther 5 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 37:4 | Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires... | God answers righteous desires. |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | ...if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us... | Confidence in answered prayer. |
| Mt 7:7 | Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find... | Asking and receiving. |
| Jer 33:3 | Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you great... | God's readiness to answer. |
| Eph 3:20 | Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond... | God's exceeding abundance. |
| Phil 4:6 | Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer... | Bringing requests to God. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand... | God's sovereignty over rulers. |
| Dan 2:21 | ...He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom... | God controls earthly authorities. |
| Mk 6:23 | ...“Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you...” | Herod's rash promise (a contrasting parallel). |
| Esth 8:5 | ...If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor... | Esther's petition later. |
| Ex 7:5 | The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord... | God's display of power to kings. |
| Ps 2:8 | Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your... | Christ's granted inheritance. |
| Mt 28:18 | All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. | Jesus' ultimate authority. |
| Prov 15:23 | A man has joy in an appropriate answer, and a word... | Wisdom of proper timing. |
| Eccl 3:1 | There is an appointed time for everything. | Importance of timing. |
| Prov 25:11 | A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings... | Value of timely words. |
| Jas 1:5 | But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God... | Asking God for wisdom. |
| Prov 16:7 | When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes... | God giving favor to individuals. |
| Prov 3:4 | So you will find favor and good repute in the sight... | Finding favor through wise conduct. |
| Lk 1:30 | The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for... | Finding favor with God. |
| Gen 41:40 | You shall be over my house, and according to your command... | Pharaoh granting Joseph authority. |
| Neh 2:4 | Then the king said to me, “What would you request?”... | King Artaxerxes to Nehemiah. |
Esther 5 verses
Esther 5 6 Meaning
Esther 5:6 reveals a pivotal moment where King Ahasuerus, at the second wine banquet prepared by Esther, reaffirms his generous and unqualified promise to grant whatever petition or request Esther might have. This double assurance underscores his deep favor towards her and his unwavering commitment to fulfill her desires, regardless of their magnitude, thereby creating a dramatic build-up to her revelation.
Esther 5 6 Context
Esther chapter 5 opens after Esther's three-day fast, undertaken for her and her people, in preparation to approach King Ahasuerus unsummoned—an act punishable by death unless the king extended his golden scepter. Miraculously, he extends the scepter (Esth 5:2), granting her audience and immediately offering "half the kingdom" (Esth 5:3) for her request. Rather than stating her petition at that first opportunity, Esther shrewdly invites the king and Haman to a private wine banquet for that day. At this first banquet, the king reiterates his offer (Esth 5:5). Instead of presenting her plea, Esther then invites them to a second wine banquet on the following day (Esth 5:8). This calculated delay heightens the king's curiosity, reinforces her unique position, and serves to amplify Haman's arrogance, setting the stage for his dramatic downfall. Esther 5:6 takes place at the start of this second banquet, where the king, now even more eager, demands her petition.
Esther 5 6 Word analysis
- And the king said: Signifies the active participation and initiative of King Ahasuerus. The king, known for his impulsiveness and absolute power, is fully engaged.
- unto Esther: Highlights Esther as the sole object of the king's attention and favor in this intimate setting, emphasizing her strategic importance.
- on the second day: This crucial temporal detail emphasizes Esther's deliberate and calculated delay in making her petition. It indicates the completion of her carefully laid plan, creating a build-up of anticipation.
- at the banquet of wine (מִשְׁתֵּה הַיַּיִן, mishteh ha-yayin): Refers to a feast characterized by the consumption of wine. Banquets in the Persian court were venues for display, entertainment, and often, significant political and personal interactions. Wine often symbolized pleasure and can also loosen inhibitions, perhaps making the king more receptive to a momentous request.
- What is thy petition? (מַה־שְּׁאֵלָתֵךְ, mah shĕ'elatek): The Hebrew word she'elah (petition) refers to a formal request, often for something significant. This phrasing indicates the king's earnestness and willingness to hear her desire.
- and it shall be granted thee (וְתִנָּתֵן לָךְ, vĕtinaten lakh): Literally "and it will be given to you." This is a strong, declarative promise of fulfillment. The passive voice ("shall be granted") indicates the certainty of the action being carried out.
- and what is thy request? (וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ, u-mah baqqashtek): The Hebrew word baqqashah (request) is often associated with fervent supplication or demand, sometimes implying urgency or strong desire. Its repetition alongside "petition" creates a powerful rhetorical emphasis.
- and it shall be performed (וְתֵעָשׂ, vĕte'as): Literally "and it shall be done/made." This phrase provides an undeniable affirmation that the request will not only be "given" but actively "executed" or "carried out." It's an ironclad commitment.
- "on the second day at the banquet of wine": This phrase underlines Esther's extraordinary self-control and calculated wisdom. Despite being offered her heart's desire on the first day, she waits, ensuring maximum impact for her impending, life-or-death revelation. The atmosphere of a wine banquet also speaks to the specific setting of the Persian court, where crucial decisions could be made during revelry.
- "What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed": The king's doubling of the question ("petition"/"request") and the assurance ("granted"/"performed") serves as a powerful verbal guarantee. This redundancy emphasizes his sincerity, generosity, and determination to please Esther, assuring her of the binding nature of his promise, irrespective of the scale of her desire. This dramatic reiteration heightens the suspense and prepares the audience for the magnitude of Esther's coming revelation.
Esther 5 6 Bonus section
The book of Esther famously does not mention God directly by name. However, Esther 5:6 is a prime example of divine providence working through seemingly ordinary human events and choices. The king's unparalleled favor towards Esther, his repeated, emphatic promise, and Esther's astute delay are not coincidences. They illustrate the Lord's hidden yet powerful hand guiding the narrative, ensuring that Haman's evil decree is countered at the precise moment. This verse, therefore, implicitly underscores the sovereignty of God over kings and empires, aligning with biblical truths that God controls the hearts of rulers (Prov 21:1) and works all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28). It shows that God does not always intervene miraculously but can subtly orchestrate circumstances to deliver His people, even in seemingly secular environments.
Esther 5 6 Commentary
Esther 5:6 is a high point of tension and anticipation within the narrative, serving as the calm before the storm. The king’s eager, double-phrased commitment signifies the deep favor Esther enjoys, but it also reflects Esther’s calculated wisdom. By inviting him and Haman to a second banquet rather than immediately stating her case, she effectively stoked the king's curiosity and created the optimal setting for her ultimate, shocking revelation. The repeated assurance by the king removes any doubt about his readiness to fulfill her desire, setting up the dramatic downfall of Haman, who is still unaware that the queen's target is himself. This moment highlights that courage, combined with strategic patience and reliance on God’s unseen hand, can powerfully influence the most formidable human authorities.