Esther 7:3

KJV

Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Esther {H635} the queen {H4436} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, If I have found {H4672} favour {H2580} in thy sight {H5869}, O king {H4428}, and if it please {H2895} the king {H4428}, let my life {H5315} be given {H5414} me at my petition {H7596}, and my people {H5971} at my request {H1246}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Ester the queen answered, "If I have won your favor, king, and if it pleases the king, then what I ask be given me is my own life and the lives of my people.

Berean Standard Bible

Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.

American Standard Version

Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Esther 7:3 marks the pivotal moment in Queen Esther's courageous plan, as she finally unveils her desperate petition to King Ahasuerus. Following the king's repeated offer to grant her "whatsoever thy petition," Esther seizes the opportune moment at the second banquet to plead not for riches or power, but for her very life and the lives of her people, setting the stage for the dramatic revelation of Haman's wicked plot and the subsequent reversal of fortune.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic climax of Esther's carefully orchestrated strategy, immediately following King Ahasuerus's second offer to grant her request, even "to the half of the kingdom" ([Esther 7:2](/esther/7-2 "Esther 7:2 - The King's Second Offer")). Having hosted two banquets, Esther has meticulously built the tension and the king's curiosity. Her words here are the culmination of her courageous decision to approach the king unbidden ([Esther 4:16](/esther/4-16 "Esther 4:16 - Esther's Resolve")), and they directly precede the revelation of Haman's treachery and the king's explosive wrath ([Esther 7:4-6](/esther/7-4 "Esther 7:4-6 - Esther Exposes Haman")). This moment transforms the narrative from suspenseful anticipation to decisive action, leading to the dramatic reversal of Haman's decree.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Persian Empire was vast and autocratic, with the king holding absolute power. Approaching the king without being summoned was punishable by death ([Esther 4:11](/esther/4-11 "Esther 4:11 - The Law of the King's Court")), highlighting Esther's immense risk. The phrase "found favour in thy sight" is a common biblical and ancient Near Eastern idiom used to express humility and seek goodwill from a superior, demonstrating Esther's mastery of court protocol and her strategic wisdom. The vulnerability of ethnic minorities within such empires, as evidenced by Haman's genocidal decree, underscores the gravity of Esther's plea for her "people." Her petition is not merely personal but represents the survival of an entire nation under threat.
* **Key Themes:** Esther's petition embodies several key themes within the book. Firstly, **Courageous Intercession** is paramount; Esther, having risked her life to enter the king's presence, now boldly intercedes for herself and her people, embodying the call to speak up for the vulnerable. Secondly, **Strategic Wisdom** is evident in her careful timing and her deferential yet impactful phrasing, appealing to the king's ego and goodwill before revealing the dire threat. Thirdly, the theme of **Divine Providence** is powerfully at play, even though God's name is conspicuously absent from the book. Esther's rise to power ([Esther 2:17](/esther/2-17 "Esther 2:17 - Esther Becomes Queen")), Mordecai's counsel ([Esther 4:14](/esther/4-14 "Esther 4:14 - For Such a Time as This")), and the precise timing of this revelation all point to an unseen hand guiding events to deliver God's people from destruction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Favour (Hebrew, _chen_):** This word signifies grace, goodwill, or unmerited kindness. Esther's opening phrase, "If I have found favour in thy sight," is a common, humble, and respectful idiom used to appeal to a superior's benevolent disposition. It acknowledges the king's absolute authority and her reliance on his personal inclination rather than any right. It subtly reminds the king of his previous affection for her, setting a positive tone for her extraordinary request.
* **Life (Hebrew, _nephesh_):** Often translated as "soul," _nephesh_ here refers to one's very existence, the vital essence of a person. By asking for "my life" first, Esther personalizes the threat in the most visceral way possible. It conveys the extreme urgency and the existential nature of the danger she faces, making the king's previous offers of "half the kingdom" seem trivial in comparison to the preservation of life itself.
* **People (Hebrew, _ammi_):** This term means "my nation" or "my kin." After personalizing the threat, Esther immediately broadens her plea to encompass her entire ethnic community. This strategic move links her personal fate to that of her people, making it clear that the decree affects not just an abstract group but the queen's own family and heritage. It elevates the petition from a personal grievance to a matter of national survival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Esther the queen answered and said":** This phrase signals the decisive moment where Esther, having carefully prepared the setting, finally speaks. It emphasizes her royal status and the authority she now wields, despite her vulnerability, indicating the gravity of her forthcoming words.
* **"If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king":** This masterful double appeal to the king's goodwill and pleasure is a rhetorical masterpiece. It is humble, deferential, and strategically designed to disarm any potential anger and secure his benevolent attention before the shocking nature of her request is revealed. It establishes a foundation of respect and submission to his sovereignty.
* **"let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request":** This is the core of Esther's plea, delivered with profound urgency. By asking for "my life" first, she makes the danger immediate and personal to the king, who has expressed affection for her. The immediate expansion to "my people" then reveals the true scope of the threat, linking her personal survival directly to the fate of her entire community. The parallel phrasing ("my petition" / "my request") underscores the singular, desperate nature of her plea for existence.

#### Literary Devices
Esther 7:3 is rich with **Rhetorical Skill** and **Dramatic Irony**. Esther's opening, "If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king," is a prime example of **Anaphora** and **Parallelism**, using repetition to emphasize her deference and appeal to the king's benevolence. This careful phrasing also demonstrates **Ethos**, as she establishes her credibility and respectful posture before making an extraordinary demand. The entire scene is steeped in **Suspense**, built through Esther's delayed revelation and the king's repeated offers, culminating in this verse. There is also a strong element of **Juxtaposition** between the king's immense power and Esther's vulnerable position as a woman and a member of a condemned people, making her courage stand out. The audience is aware of Haman's plot, creating **Dramatic Irony** as the king remains oblivious to the full implications of Esther's plea until she names her adversary.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esther's courageous petition in this verse resonates deeply with the biblical theme of intercession and the divine use of human agents for redemptive purposes. Her willingness to risk her own life to save her people exemplifies a profound act of self-sacrificial love and advocacy. Though God is not explicitly mentioned, His providential hand is evident in Esther's strategic wisdom and the timing of her appeal, demonstrating that He works through ordinary individuals in extraordinary circumstances to accomplish His will. This act of intercession foreshadows the greater intercessory work that is central to God's plan of salvation, where a chosen individual stands in the gap for others facing condemnation.

* [Genesis 18:23-32](/genesis/18-23 "Abraham's Intercession for Sodom")
* [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Christ's Intercession for Believers")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esther's plea in this verse offers profound lessons for believers today. It underscores the power of courageous advocacy for justice and the vulnerable, reminding us that there are times when we, like Esther, are called to speak truth to power, even when it involves personal risk or requires careful, strategic communication. Her example encourages us to cultivate wisdom and discernment in our interactions, choosing the right time and the right words to present critical matters. Furthermore, Esther's willingness to identify completely with her condemned people challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized, oppressed, or facing injustice. It is a powerful reminder that God often uses the seemingly weak or overlooked to bring about His mighty purposes, and that our petitions, offered with humility and courage, can have world-changing implications.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or community might God be calling you to courageous intercession, even when it feels risky or uncomfortable?**
* **How can you cultivate wisdom and strategic timing in presenting important matters or advocating for others, following Esther's example?**
* **How does Esther's willingness to identify with her people's plight challenge you to connect with the suffering and needs of others in your world?**

### FAQ

**Question?**
Why does Esther ask for her own life first, before mentioning her people?

Answer: Esther's decision to ask for her own life first is a masterful strategic move, appealing directly to King Ahasuerus's personal affection for her. The king has just offered her "whatsoever thy petition, and whatsoever thy request" ([Esther 7:2](/esther/7-2 "Esther 7:2 - The King's Second Offer")), and by personalizing the threat, she makes the danger immediate and relatable to him. It implies that her life is intertwined with her people's fate, and it shocks the king into realizing the gravity of the situation. This approach makes the subsequent revelation about her people's impending doom even more impactful, as it directly implicates the queen he loves. It's a highly effective rhetorical technique to capture the king's full attention and emotional investment before revealing the full scope of Haman's treachery.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esther's courageous intercession for her people, risking her own life to save them from certain death, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate intercession of Jesus Christ. Just as Esther stood in the gap between the king's decree and her condemned nation, Jesus, the true King, stood between a holy God and a condemned humanity. Esther's plea for "my life" and "my people" finds its perfect fulfillment in Christ, who not only risked His life but willingly laid it down as the [Good Shepherd for His sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"). His sacrifice was not merely a petition but a perfect, atoning work, demonstrating God's immense love for us ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Love")). As the one [mediator between God and mankind](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator Between God and Man"), Jesus continually intercedes for His people, ensuring their salvation and eternal life ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Always Lives to Intercede")). Esther's bravery and strategic wisdom point to the divine wisdom and self-sacrificial love of Christ, who secured not just physical deliverance but eternal redemption for all who believe.

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.