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.

And the king {H4428} said {H559} again unto Esther {H635} on the second {H8145} day {H3117} at the banquet {H4960} of wine {H3196}, What is thy petition {H7596}, queen {H4436} Esther {H635}? and it shall be granted {H5414} thee: and what is thy request {H1246}? and it shall be performed {H6213}, even to the half {H2677} of the kingdom {H4438}.

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

and as they drank their wine on that second day, the king asked once more, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”

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? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

Commentary

Esther 7:2 captures a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, where Queen Esther is given a crucial opportunity to reveal her true identity and make a life-or-death plea.

Context

This verse takes place during the second banquet Esther has prepared for King Ahasuerus and Haman. Having strategically delayed her request at the first banquet (Esther 5:6), Esther has created a moment of heightened anticipation. The king, clearly pleased with the arrangements and Esther's company, repeats his extraordinary offer, giving her carte blanche to ask for virtually anything she desires.

Key Themes

  • Opportunity and Timing: Esther's careful timing culminates in this moment where the king is most receptive to her request.
  • Royal Favor and Power: The verse highlights the immense power and willingness of the king to grant Esther's petition, even to the extent of "half of the kingdom," a common expression of boundless generosity in ancient courts (see also Mark 6:23).
  • Dramatic Tension: With Haman present, the stage is set for Esther to make her potentially dangerous request, which will expose Haman's wicked plot.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses two terms for Esther's desired outcome: "petition" (from the Hebrew she'elah, meaning a request or question) and "request" (from the Hebrew baqqashah, meaning a petition or supplication). The repetition emphasizes the king's earnestness and the breadth of his promise. The phrase "half of the kingdom" signifies the magnitude of the king's favor and the value he places on Esther, indicating his readiness to fulfill even a very large or difficult request.

Reflection

Esther 7:2 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and seizing opportune moments. Esther's preparation, courage, and strategic timing positioned her to use her favor for the salvation of her people (Esther 4:14). It encourages us to seek wisdom and divine guidance in our own timing and to be ready to act decisively when opportunities arise to stand for justice, truth, or the needs of others, trusting that God is sovereignly orchestrating events.

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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 5:6 (4 votes)

    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.

  • John 16:24 (4 votes)

    Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

  • Esther 5:3 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Esther 9:12 (3 votes)

    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.