Esther 5:3

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.

Then said {H559} the king {H4428} unto her, What wilt thou, queen {H4436} Esther {H635}? and what is thy request {H1246}? it shall be even given {H5414} thee to the half {H2677} of the kingdom {H4438}.

"What is it you want, Queen Ester?" the king asked her. "Whatever your request, up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you."

“What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”

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

Commentary on Esther 5:3

Esther 5:3 captures a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as King Ahasuerus extends an extraordinary offer to Queen Esther. Having risked her life by approaching the king unsummoned, Esther now stands in a position of immense favor, setting the stage for the deliverance of her people.

Context

This verse follows Esther's courageous act of entering the king's inner court without being called, an offense punishable by death under Persian law (Esther 4:11). Her decision was born out of deep concern for her Jewish people, who faced annihilation due to Haman's wicked decree. Upon seeing her, the king, instead of condemning her, extended his golden scepter, signaling acceptance and grace. His immediate question, "What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what [is] thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom," reveals the immense relief and favor she found in his eyes.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor and Providence: While God is not explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther, His hand is clearly at work behind the scenes. The king's unexpected mercy and generous offer demonstrate divine providence, turning a perilous situation into an opportunity for salvation. This moment is a direct result of Esther's faith and the fasting of her people.
  • Royal Power and Generosity: King Ahasuerus's offer underscores the absolute authority and immense wealth of the Persian monarch. The phrase "to the half of the kingdom" was a hyperbolic expression of boundless generosity, indicating that virtually no reasonable request would be denied. It showcased the king's willingness to go to great lengths for someone in his favor.
  • Esther's Strategic Courage: Esther's initial boldness in approaching the king is matched by her strategic wisdom in not immediately revealing her full request. Her decision to invite the king and Haman to a banquet, and then another, demonstrates her careful planning and patience, which ultimately led to Haman's downfall and the salvation of the Jews.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "to the half of the kingdom" (Hebrew: חֲצִי הַמַּלְכוּת, chatzi ha-malkuth) is a common proverbial expression in ancient Near Eastern courts, signifying an extraordinary grant of power, wealth, or favor, rather than a literal division of the empire. It emphasizes the king's boundless willingness to fulfill a petition. A similar expression is found in King Herod's oath to Salome in the New Testament, illustrating its widespread use to convey ultimate generosity.

Practical Application

Esther 5:3 offers valuable insights for believers today. It encourages us to approach God with boldness and confidence, knowing that He is a benevolent King who is willing to hear and answer our prayers according to His perfect will (Hebrews 4:16). The verse also highlights the importance of strategic wisdom and patient timing when presenting significant matters, trusting that God will prepare the way. Ultimately, it reminds us that even in seemingly impossible situations, God can open doors and grant favor through unexpected means, using courageous individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 6:23

    And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give [it] thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

  • Esther 7:2

    And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? and it shall be performed, [even] to the half of the kingdom.

  • Esther 5:6

    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 9:12

    And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what [is] thy request further? and it shall be done.

  • 1 Kings 3:5

    ¶ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

  • Matthew 20:20

    ¶ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him.

  • Matthew 20:22

    But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

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