Esther 5:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

At the banquet of wine the king again said to Ester, "Whatever your request, you will be granted it; whatever you want, up to half the kingdom, it will be done."

Berean Standard Bible:

Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request:

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then answered^{H6030} Esther^{H635}, and said^{H559}, My petition^{H7596} and my request^{H1246} is;

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Esther 5:7

Esther 5:7 is a pivotal moment in the book of Esther, which is set in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I, reigning approximately 486–465 BCE). The book tells the story of a Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen and uses her influence to save her people from a planned genocide.

In this verse, Esther is at a banquet she has prepared for the king and Haman, the man who has plotted to destroy the Jews. When the king offers to grant her any request, up to half of his kingdom, Esther responds with a careful and strategic answer. She does not immediately reveal her true petition, instead inviting the king and Haman to another banquet the next day, where she promises to make her request known. This delay heightens the tension and anticipation in the narrative, as the reader is aware of the imminent danger facing the Jewish population and the courage Esther must muster to confront the king with her appeal.

The themes present in this verse include courage in the face of adversity, the strategic use of power and influence, and the sovereignty of God working through human events, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned. Esther's careful approach reflects her wisdom and the political acumen necessary to navigate the delicate situation. Her request, which will be revealed in the following chapters, is a matter of life and death for her people, and her actions demonstrate her loyalty to both her faith and her role as queen. This verse sets the stage for the climax of the story, where Esther's intervention leads to the salvation of the Jews living in the empire.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6030
   There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנָה
   Transliteration: ʻânâh
   Pronunciation: aw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.
   
2. Strong's Number: H635
   There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶסְתֵּר
   Transliteration: ʼEçtêr
   Pronunciation: es-tare'
   Description: of Persian derivation; Ester, the Jewish heroine; Esther.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7596
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁאֵלָה
   Transliteration: shᵉʼêlâh
   Pronunciation: sheh-ay-law'
   Description: or שֵׁלָה; (1 Samuel 1:17), from שָׁאַל; a petition; by implication, a loan; loan, petition, request.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1246
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּקָּשָׁה
   Transliteration: baqqâshâh
   Pronunciation: bak-kaw-shaw'
   Description: from בָּקַשׁ; a petition; request.