Esther 8:5

And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing [seem] right before the king, and I [be] pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which [are] in all the king's provinces:

And said {H559}, If it please {H2896} the king {H4428}, and if I have found {H4672} favour {H2580} in his sight {H6440}, and the thing {H1697} seem right {H3787} before {H6440} the king {H4428}, and I be pleasing {H2896} in his eyes {H5869}, let it be written {H3789} to reverse {H7725} the letters {H5612} devised {H4284} by Haman {H2001} the son {H1121} of Hammedatha {H4099} the Agagite {H91}, which he wrote {H3789} to destroy {H6} the Jews {H3064} which are in all the king's {H4428} provinces {H4082}:

She said, "If it pleases the king, if I have won his favor, if the matter seem right to the king and if I have his approval, then let an order be written rescinding the letters devised by Haman the son of Hamdata the Agagi, which he wrote to destroy the Jews in all the royal provinces.

“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if I have found favor in his sight, and the matter seems proper to the king, and I am pleasing in his sight, may an order be written to revoke the letters that the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces.

And she said, If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews that are in all the king’s provinces:

Commentary

In Esther 8:5, Queen Esther, having successfully exposed Haman's plot and secured his execution, now faces the urgent task of reversing the genocidal decree he had issued against the Jewish people. Her approach to King Ahasuerus is marked by extreme humility and careful diplomacy, acknowledging his supreme authority and seeking his personal favor.

Context

Following the dramatic events of Haman's downfall at the second banquet (Esther 7:10), the immediate threat to Esther and Mordecai was removed. However, the legal threat to all Jews throughout the Persian Empire remained. Haman’s original decree, sealed with the king's signet ring, was irrevocable according to Persian law. This verse captures Esther's critical petition to the king, pleading for a solution to avert the impending destruction. She emphasizes her dependence on the king's goodwill and judgment, laying the groundwork for a new decree that would counteract Haman's wicked plan.

Key Themes

  • Esther's Continued Courage and Diplomacy: Having risked her life to approach the king previously (see Esther 4:16 for Esther's brave decision), Esther now demonstrates astute diplomacy. She doesn't demand but humbly petitions, repeating phrases of seeking the king's pleasure and favor. This strategic approach is vital for the success of her mission.
  • Reversal of Fortune: This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative, moving from the decree of destruction to the hope of deliverance. It highlights the dramatic shift in circumstances for the Jewish people, orchestrated through God's providence and Esther's intervention.
  • The King's Authority and Favor: Esther meticulously appeals to the king's absolute power and his personal regard for her. Her repeated invocation of "if it please the king" and "if I have found favour in his sight" underscores that the only way to counteract the existing decree is through the king's direct and benevolent action.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated phrases "if it please the king," "if I have found favour in his sight," "and the thing [seem] right before the king," and "and I [be] pleasing in his eyes" are not merely polite formalities. They underscore Esther's deep understanding of Persian court protocol and the absolute power of the monarch. This repetitive deferential language highlights her humility and reliance on the king's disposition, rather than any inherent right. It's a masterclass in respectful, yet urgent, petitioning, emphasizing grace over legal claim in the face of an unchangeable law.

Related Scriptures

This plea directly addresses the consequences of Haman's earlier decree to destroy the Jews, which had been sent throughout the provinces. The resolution to this crisis will be detailed in the subsequent verses of Esther 8, where Mordecai is given authority to write a new decree that empowers the Jews to defend themselves.

Practical Application

Esther 8:5 offers powerful lessons for believers today. It teaches the importance of:

  • Strategic Prayer and Petition: Like Esther, we are called to approach authority, including God, with humility, respect, and clear articulation of our needs.
  • Perseverance in Crisis: Even after one victory (Haman's demise), the larger threat remained. Esther's continued advocacy demonstrates the need for perseverance until the full deliverance is secured.
  • God's Use of Human Instruments: This verse reminds us that God often works through the courageous and diplomatic actions of individuals to bring about His purposes, even in seemingly impossible situations.

The narrative of Esther continues to illustrate God's sovereign hand guiding events, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned, turning a plot of destruction into a story of deliverance.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Esther 7:3

    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:

  • Esther 5:8

    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.

  • Esther 3:12

    Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and [to] every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

  • Esther 3:13

    And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, [even] upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey.

  • Exodus 33:13

    Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation [is] thy people.

  • Esther 2:17

    And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

  • Esther 2:4

    And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.