Esther 5:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 5:7 captures Queen Esther's measured and strategic response to King Ahasuerus's generous offer, where he promises to grant her petition up to half his kingdom. Rather than immediately revealing her life-threatening request concerning Haman's plot against the Jews, Esther skillfully defers her answer, inviting the king and Haman to a private banquet, thereby setting the stage for a more opportune moment and building suspense that will ultimately serve God's providential plan for her people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal, immediately following King Ahasuerus's astonishing declaration in [Esther 5:3](/esther/5-3 "Esther 5:3 - King Ahasuerus's Offer") where he asks Esther, "What is thy petition? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom." Esther's appearance before the king was a high-stakes gamble, as approaching him unsummoned carried a death penalty unless he extended his golden scepter, as detailed in [Esther 4:11](/esther/4-11 "Esther 4:11 - The Law of the King"). Her bold decision to "go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish" ([Esther 4:16](/esther/4-16 "Esther 4:16 - Esther's Courageous Resolve")) had been met with divine favor, as the king extended his scepter, granting her audience and life. Her response in [Esther 5:7](/esther/5-7 "Esther 5:7 - Esther's Strategic Delay") marks a deliberate delay, inviting the king and Haman to a banquet, a tactical move that prolongs the suspense and allows for further developments in the narrative, most notably the events of [Esther 6:1](/esther/6-1 "Esther 6:1 - The King's Sleepless Night").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Esther is set in the Persian Empire during the reign of Ahasuerus (likely Xerxes I, 486-465 BC). The Persian court was characterized by absolute monarchy and strict protocols, where the king's word was law and his person sacrosanct. Approaching the king without a summons was indeed a capital offense, underscoring the immense courage and faith required of Esther. Banquets were significant events in Persian culture, serving not only for feasting but also as venues for political maneuvering, displays of wealth, and the conducting of important affairs. The king's offer of "even to the half of the kingdom" was a hyperbolic expression of royal generosity, common in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, signifying a willingness to grant almost any request, short of dismembering the empire itself. Esther's choice of a private banquet, rather than a public court setting, suggests a desire for intimacy and control over the environment for her momentous petition.
* **Key Themes:** Esther's response in this verse highlights several crucial themes. Firstly, **Strategic Wisdom and Patience** are paramount. Instead of immediately presenting her urgent petition, Esther demonstrates remarkable foresight, understanding that timing and a carefully prepared environment are critical for maximum impact. Her deferral allows her to set the stage for a more compelling and effective revelation. Secondly, the narrative builds **Anticipation and Suspense**. By inviting the king and Haman to a banquet, and then to a second one, Esther masterfully heightens the king's curiosity and perhaps allows Haman's pride to swell, unknowingly leading him towards his inevitable downfall, as hinted at by the subsequent events in [Esther 6](/esther/6 "Esther 6 - Mordecai's Exaltation and Haman's Humiliation"). Thirdly, and most profoundly, **Divine Providence** is evident. While Esther employs human strategy, the unfolding events strongly suggest that God's invisible hand is guiding her actions. Her strategic delay directly precedes the king's sleepless night in [Esther 6:1](/esther/6-1 "Esther 6:1 - The King's Sleepless Night"), which providentially leads to the discovery of Mordecai's past service and Haman's subsequent humiliation, paving the way for the Jewish people's deliverance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Petition (Hebrew, _she'elah'_):** This term generally refers to a specific question or a request, often implying a formal inquiry or a plea for something desired. It carries the nuance of a direct asking, an articulated need or desire presented to an authority.
* **Request (Hebrew, _baqashah'_):** This word is closely related to _she'elah_ but often implies a more earnest seeking, a fervent plea, or a strong desire. Its use alongside "petition" emphasizes the gravity, urgency, and depth of what Esther is about to ask, signifying that her request is not a trifle but a matter of profound importance and earnest desire. The KJV's "[is]" is an editorial addition to complete the English sentence, as the Hebrew often implies the verb "to be" without explicitly stating it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then answered Esther, and said,"**: This phrase emphasizes Esther's agency and her deliberate, measured response. It signifies that her words are not impulsive but a thoughtful articulation following the king's grand offer. The formality of "answered... and said" highlights the solemnity of the moment and the importance of her impending words.
* **"My petition and my request [is];"**: This incomplete statement, grammatically completed by the KJV's "[is]", serves as a powerful literary device. By stating that her petition and request *exist* but not immediately revealing them, Esther builds immense suspense. The doubling of "petition" and "request" underscores the weight and dual nature of her plea – it is both a specific formal request and a deep, earnest desire. This phrase leaves the king, and the reader, on the edge of anticipation, eager to discover what could possibly warrant such a dramatic buildup.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Anticipation** and **Suspense**. Esther's strategic delay in revealing her petition, despite the king's immediate and generous offer, creates profound suspense for both the king and the reader. This deferral is a masterstroke of **Dramatic Irony**, as Haman, present at the banquet, is completely unaware that Esther's "petition and request" pertain directly to his own demise and the salvation of the very people he intends to annihilate. The verse also serves as a point of **Foreshadowing**, hinting that the full revelation of Esther's request will be a momentous event, requiring a carefully orchestrated setting and timing, which ultimately leads to the dramatic reversal of fortunes in the subsequent chapters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther 5:7 powerfully illustrates the biblical principle of strategic wisdom and the importance of discerning God's timing, even when faced with urgent circumstances. Esther's decision to delay her petition is not a sign of weakness or indecision, but rather a profound act of prudence, demonstrating that true wisdom often involves patience, careful planning, and a reliance on divine providence to orchestrate events. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that while humans make plans, God ultimately directs their steps, often working through seemingly ordinary human actions to achieve His extraordinary purposes. Esther's actions here are a testament to the fact that God's hand is at work, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned, guiding His people through their trials.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord")
* [Ecclesiastes 3:1](/ecclesiastes/3-1 "Ecclesiastes 3:1 - A Time for Everything")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther 5:7 offers profound lessons for believers navigating complex situations in their own lives. It reminds us that not every urgent matter demands an immediate, direct response. There are times when wisdom dictates patience, strategic preparation, and prayerful waiting for the opportune moment. Esther's example encourages us to cultivate discernment, to consider the broader context, and to trust that God is at work behind the scenes, even when His activity is not immediately apparent. We are called to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, combining godly wisdom with courageous faith. This verse challenges us to ask whether our communication is merely reactive or if it is thoughtfully planned, seeking to maximize impact and align with God's perfect timing. It encourages us to pray for strategic insight and to trust that God can use our careful planning, just as He used Esther's, to bring about His sovereign will and deliver His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to exercise strategic patience rather than immediate action?**
* **How can you better discern God's timing for important decisions or conversations?**
* **What steps can you take to prepare yourself or the situation before presenting a significant "petition" or "request" to others?**
* **How does Esther's trust in a seemingly invisible God encourage your faith when you cannot immediately see God's hand at work?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't Esther state her petition immediately, given the king's generous offer?**

Answer: Esther's decision to delay her petition was a strategic and wise move, demonstrating remarkable foresight. Firstly, it allowed her to control the environment and timing of her momentous request. A private banquet, rather than a public court, offered a more intimate and less politically charged setting. Secondly, it built anticipation and suspense, not only for the king but also for Haman, who was present. This delay likely allowed Haman's pride to swell, setting him up for a greater fall. Most importantly, this strategic pause aligned with God's providential timing. As the narrative unfolds in [Esther 6](/esther/6 "Esther 6 - The King's Sleepless Night and Mordecai's Honor"), the delay directly precedes the king's sleepless night, which leads to the discovery of Mordecai's past service and Haman's subsequent humiliation, creating the perfect backdrop for Esther's ultimate revelation and the deliverance of her people.

**What is the significance of the king's offer of "half the kingdom"?**

Answer: The king's offer of "even to the half of the kingdom" ([Esther 5:3](/esther/5-3 "Esther 5:3 - King Ahasuerus's Offer")) was a hyperbolic expression of royal generosity, common in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. It signified that the king was willing to grant almost any request, no matter how grand, short of dismembering his empire or undermining his absolute authority. It was a testament to his favor towards Esther and his desire to please her, especially after her courageous, unsummoned approach to him. This extravagant offer underscores the gravity and magnitude of the request Esther was about to make, as it would ultimately involve the life and death of a nation and the undoing of the king's own decree.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther's strategic delay and her ultimate petition, which secured the salvation of her people, beautifully foreshadow the perfect timing and ultimate intercession of Jesus Christ. Just as Esther risked her life to approach the king and present a petition for deliverance, so too did Christ, the ultimate intercessor, willingly lay down His life to approach the Father on our behalf. Esther's wisdom in waiting for the opportune moment reflects God's perfect timing in sending His Son "when the fullness of the time was come" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time")). Her petition for the lives of her people, though earthly, points to Christ's divine petition for the eternal lives of all who believe in Him, a request that was not merely granted "to half the kingdom" but secured full and complete salvation, conquering sin and death ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). Through His sacrifice and ongoing intercession at the right hand of God ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")), Jesus ensures the deliverance of His people from a far greater enemy than Haman, securing for them an eternal inheritance in His heavenly kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.