Back to Esther 5

Esther 5:1-8

Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, next to the king’s house. The king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, next to the entrance of the house. When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near, and touched the top of the scepter. Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.”

Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that it may be done as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”

Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this. If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.”

World English Bible · Public Domain

Read all of Esther 5 →

Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, next to the king’s house. The king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, next to the entrance of the house.

    When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near, and touched the top of the scepter.

    Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.”

    Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

    Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that it may be done as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

    The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”

    Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this.

    If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.”

  • KJV King James Version

    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.

    And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

    Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

    And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

    Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

    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.

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

    If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

Show all 3 translations
  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    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 entrance of the house.

    And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

    Then said the king unto her: 'What wilt thou, queen Esther? for whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be given thee.'

    And Esther said: 'If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.'

    Then the king said: 'Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done as Esther hath said.' So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

    And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine: 'Whatever thy petition, it shall be granted thee; and whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.'

    Then answered Esther, and said: 'My petition and my request is —

    if I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request — let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said.'

View more translations →

Cross-references (44)

  • Mark 6:23 (v3) He swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
  • Esther 7:2 (vv3, 6) The king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition, queen Esther? It shall be granted you. What…
  • Esther 9:12 (vv3, 6) The king said to Esther the queen, “The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in the citadel of Susa, including the ten sons of…
  • Esther 5:6 (v3) The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of…
  • Esther 8:4 (v2) Then the king held out to Esther the golden scepter. So Esther arose, and stood before the king.
Show all 41 cross-references
  • Esther 4:11 (vv1–2) “All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, know, that whoever, whether man or woman, comes to the king into the…
  • Esther 5:3 (v6) Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.”
  • Esther 6:4 (v1) The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had come into the outer court of the king’s house, to speak to the king about hanging…
  • Esther 4:16 (v1) “Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Susa, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I and my…
  • Proverbs 21:1 (v2) The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
  • 1 Kings 3:5 (v3) In Gibeon, Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for what I should give you.”
  • Proverbs 16:9 (v8) A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
  • Matthew 20:20-22 (v3) Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him. He said to her, “What do you…
  • 1 Peter 3:3-5 (v1) Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; but…
  • Revelation 3:21 (v1) He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.
  • 1 Kings 2:20 (v3) Then she said, “I ask one small petition of you; don’t deny me.” The king said to her, “Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny you.”
  • Esther 1:11 (v1) to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.
  • Esther 5:8 (v4) If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and…
  • Esther 7:3 (v8) Then Esther the queen answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my…
  • Esther 8:15 (v1) Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine…
  • Proverbs 29:11 (v4) A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
  • Matthew 10:16 (v1) “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
  • Matthew 27:64 (v1) Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell…
  • Luke 18:41 (v3) “What do you want me to do?” He said, “Lord, that I may see again.”
  • Luke 22:30 (v1) that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
  • Genesis 32:28 (v2) He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
  • Nehemiah 1:11 (v2) Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your…
  • Esther 2:9 (v2) The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice…
  • Esther 6:1-14 (v8) On that night, the king couldn’t sleep. He commanded the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to the king.…
  • Esther 6:14 (v5) While they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hurried to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
  • Esther 8:5 (v8) She said, “If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right to the king, and I am pleasing in his…
  • Psalms 116:1 (v2) I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.
  • Matthew 11:8 (v1) But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
  • Acts 7:10 (v2) and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt…
  • Acts 10:4 (v2) He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy…
  • Esther 3:15 (v4) The couriers went out in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down…
  • Psalms 112:5 (v4) It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:20 (v4) Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
  • Genesis 27:25 (v4) He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless you.” He brought it near to him, and he ate. He…
  • Genesis 32:20 (v4) You shall say, ‘Not only that, but behold, your servant, Jacob, is behind us.’ ” For, he said, “I will appease him with the present that…
  • 1 Kings 10:18-20 (v1) Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold. There were six steps to the throne, and the top of…

41 distinct cross-references across this passage (44 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (24 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 6, 8 To wit, after that the Jews had begun to…

To wit, after that the Jews had begun to fast.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv1–8 Est 5:1 Now it came to pass on the…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 4, 6, 8 On the third day; of which See Poole "Est…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v1 Here is, I. Esther's bold approach to the king,…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv1–8 Now it came to pass on the third day,....…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 Esther finding favour with the king, invites him and…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 4, 6, 8 Esther presents herself before the king, and finds favour…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 4, 6, 8 Est 5:1-2. It came to pass on the third…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 4, 6 Over against the gate - This is the usual…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6 And. Instead of these two verses, the Septuagint place…
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On v1 I. Esther finds favor with the King, and invites…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 4, 8 the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 4, 6, 8 ESTHER’S RECEPTION AND THE BANQUET, Est_5:1-8.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 1. on the third day] reckoning as the first…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 4, 6 (1) The third day.—That is, of the fast. (See…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 AHASUERUS RECEIVING ESTHER FAVOURABLY, SHE INVITES HIM AND HAMAN…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv1, 8 Now it came to pass on the third day,…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 6 Est_5:1. The third day] must be counted from the…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v1 Est 4:10 - Est 4:17; Est 5:1 - Est…
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain On v1 Esther's Petition to the King
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain On v1 1. Esther before the king and her request (Est…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v1 Esther’s Invitation To The King
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 3, 5, 7 facing the entrance to the house
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv2, 3, 4, 8 5:2 he welcomed her and held out the gold…
Share