Esther 5 7

Esther 5:7 kjv

Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

Esther 5:7 nkjv

Then Esther answered and said, "My petition and request is this:

Esther 5:7 niv

Esther replied, "My petition and my request is this:

Esther 5:7 esv

Then Esther answered, "My wish and my request is:

Esther 5:7 nlt

Esther replied, "This is my request and deepest wish.

Esther 5 verses

Esther 5 7 Meaning

Esther 5:7 signifies Queen Esther's measured and strategic response to King Ahasuerus's generous offer. Instead of immediately revealing her crucial petition, she shrewdly defers it by requesting a second banquet with the king and Haman. This calculated delay served to heighten the king's curiosity and anticipation, secure the continued presence of her adversary Haman, and ensure she had the optimal timing and environment to present her life-or-death request concerning her people. Her answer reveals wisdom, self-control, and a clear understanding of Persian court dynamics and human psychology.

Esther 5 7 Context

Queen Esther had just bravely approached King Ahasuerus in the inner court without being summoned, a transgression punishable by death (Esth 4:11; 5:1). Providentially, the king extended his golden scepter, saving her life and granting her favor (Esth 5:2). The king then asked, "What is your petition? It shall be granted to you, even to the half of the kingdom" (Esth 5:3). This immense offer set the stage for Esther's crucial decision. Instead of revealing her devastating request immediately, Esther wisely asked the king and Haman to a banquet (Esth 5:4). At this first banquet, the king reiterated his extravagant offer. Esther 5:7 captures Esther's precise and pivotal response, where she chooses to further delay her true request by inviting them to a second banquet. This act of deferral builds suspense for the reader and creates a more optimal situation for Esther to reveal the imminent danger to her people and Haman's treachery. Culturally, Persian banquets were significant social and political events where weighty matters could be discussed in a less formal, yet controlled, environment, which Esther expertly utilized.

Esther 5 7 Word Analysis

• וַתַּעַן (va-ta'an) – "Then answered": Derived from the Hebrew root ‘anah, meaning "to answer" or "to respond." This term signifies a direct, deliberate reply. Esther's response is not a mere utterance but a considered and intentional articulation. It indicates a pivotal moment of communication where the answer is carefully formulated after internal processing.
• אֶסְתֵּר (Esther) – "Esther": Her Persian name, meaning "star," marks her identity within the pagan Persian court, concealing her true Hebrew identity, Hadassah (myrtle). Her name itself speaks to the hidden nature of God's hand in the book, where divine intervention operates behind the scenes. Her answering here demonstrates her taking a central, active role in her destined purpose.
• וַתֹּאמַר (va-to'mar) – "and said": From the root 'amar, "to say" or "to speak." Often paired with ‘anah, it reinforces the verbal nature of her reply, emphasizing that she actively communicated her chosen words. It highlights that she carefully chose what to say, even if it was a delay, rather than a full revelation.
• שְׁאֵלָתִי (sh’elati) – "My petition": From the root sha’al, meaning "to ask," "to inquire," or "to request." This refers to a formal request, often involving a matter of great importance or an appeal to authority. The suffix "ti" indicates the first-person singular possessive ("my"). This word signals a significant, specific, and personal plea that Esther is poised to make.
• וּבַקָּשָׁתִי (u-vakkashti) – "and my request/supplication": From the root bakash, meaning "to seek," "to desire," or "to entreat earnestly." This term carries a stronger connotation of urgency, earnestness, or even supplication. When combined with sh’elati (as it is here), it forms a hendiadys – two words expressing a single, intensified concept. This signifies a profound, deeply desired, and vital request. It emphasizes that what Esther is asking is not just a general request, but a deeply urgent, heartfelt supplication.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Then Esther answered and said": This phrasing signals a calculated and deliberate action from Esther. It underscores that her response was not impulsive but the outcome of careful thought and strategic planning. This marks her transition from being an obedient subject to an astute orchestrator of events, using her voice to control the narrative and timing.
• "My petition and my request is": This combined phrase, using a hendiadys, intensifies the singular importance and gravity of the plea Esther intends to make. It effectively builds suspense and demonstrates to the king that her upcoming request is unified, exceptionally significant, and worthy of his full attention. She is clearly focused on one, all-consuming matter.

Esther 5 7 Bonus Section

• Esther's act of inviting the king to a second banquet (mentioned in verse 8) instead of making her petition directly in verse 7, demonstrates her acute understanding of Ahasuerus's character. She perceived that building anticipation and nurturing a sense of exclusive favor would likely yield a more favorable and committed response from a monarch known for impulsiveness and grand gestures.
• This verse provides an early indicator of Esther's transformation from a submissive figure to a strategic, proactive deliverer. Her controlled response contrasts with the common human tendency to rush for immediate results, emphasizing patience and discerning the kairos (opportune time) in divine providence.
• The use of banquets as settings for crucial discussions is a recurring theme in the Book of Esther, underscoring their role in ancient Persian political and social life. Esther's shrewd use of these gatherings highlights their function as more than just social events but as critical arenas for influence and negotiation.

Esther 5 7 Commentary

Esther 5:7 encapsulates Esther's profound wisdom, not just in making a petition, but in strategically timing its delivery. Faced with the king's open-ended and generous offer—an offer he makes twice—Esther brilliantly defers her actual request. This deferral serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it elevates the significance of her ultimate revelation; by delaying, she intensifies the king's curiosity and commitment. Secondly, it maintains the pre-eminence of the private banquet setting, allowing her to deliver such sensitive news away from the public eye of the court, thereby controlling the environment. Thirdly, the additional banquet request means Haman remains a central figure, unknowingly preparing for his own undoing. Esther's actions demonstrate incredible self-control and keen psychological insight, understanding that rushing her request could diminish its impact or allow for a hasty dismissal. She is waiting for the perfect moment of impact, showcasing a leadership quality often attributed to divine guidance, where God's timing is often precisely calibrated.