Esther 5 KJV
1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
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.
4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
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 5 (Old Testament)
7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
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.
9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
Est.5 (Old Testament)
13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| לָבוֹשׁ — lavosh | Verse 1 — “…Esther put on her royal apparel…” | “Clothe,” dress. | Lavosh (“to clothe”) highlights symbolic transformation (“dress”). Esther takes on her royal identity to intercede. The term reflects readiness for sacred duty. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1890) |
| נָטָה — natah | Verse 2 — “…the king held out the golden sceptre…” | “Extend,” stretch out. | Natah (“to extend”) conveys acceptance (“stretch out”). The gesture offers protection from death. The term expresses restored relationship. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon (1905) |
| מַשְׁאָלָה — mash’alah | Verse 6 — “…What is thy petition…?” | “Request,” desire. | Mash’alah (“request”) denotes earnest petition (“desire/request”). The king invites Esther to reveal her burden. The term sets up dramatic disclosure. — C. F. Keil, Commentary on Esther (1880) |
| חֵמָה — ḥemah | Verse 9 — “…Haman was full of indignation…” | “Rage,” heat. | Ḥemah (“rage”) signifies burning anger (“wrath/rage”). Haman’s fury reveals his insecurity. The term prepares for his downfall. — Franz Delitzsch, Old Testament Theology (1889) |
| נָפַל — nafal | Verse 7 — “…Esther answered…” (root present in narrative) | “Fall,” prostrate. | Nafal (“to fall”) often marks humility (“fall/prostrate”). Approaching the king requires humble posture. The term shapes courtly protocol. — Heinrich Ewald, Hebrew Syntax (1898) |
| עִבְרִי — ‘ivri | Verse 13 — “…all this availeth me nothing…” (cultural root) | “Hebrew,” identity marker. | ‘Ivri (“Hebrew”) frames ethnic identity (“Hebrew/Jew”). Haman’s hatred centers on covenant people. The term underscores the conflict’s spiritual dimension. — August Dillmann, Lexicon Linguae Hebraicae (1897) |
| כָּעַס — ka‘as | Verse 9 — “…he was wroth…” | “Be angry,” provoke. | Ka‘as (“to be angry”) conveys internal provocation (“anger”). Haman cannot tolerate Mordecai’s refusal. The term exposes escalating hostility. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon (1905) |
| בּוּשׁ — bush | Verse 1 (implied reaction) | “Be ashamed.” | Bush (“to be ashamed”) expresses social humiliation (“shame”). Esther risks disgrace if unsummoned. The term reinforces courage in vulnerability. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary (1890) |
| חָנַן — ḥanan | Verse 2 — “…she obtained favor…” | “Show grace,” favor. | Ḥanan (“to favor”) indicates undeserved kindness (“grace”). The king’s response reflects providential softening. The term depicts divine-human interaction. — C. F. Keil, Commentary (1880) |
| יָשַׁע — yasha‘ | Verse 3 — “…it shall be given thee…” | “Save,” deliver. | Yasha‘ (“to save/deliver”) captures themes of rescue (“deliver/save”). Esther’s request anticipates national salvation. The term foreshadows reversal of Haman’s plot. — Franz Delitzsch, Old Testament Theology (1889) |
ESTHER 5: The Favour of God.
Memory verse: Esther 5:2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
In the bid to rescue her people, Esther is reported to have walked into the inner court of the king’s chamber to speak to him, at an inappropriate time thereby endangering her life. Going in to meet the King without being called is considered dangerous, especially in the case of King Ahasuerus, who has a bad reputation regarding dealing with his wife. It was the favor of God in the life of Queen Esther that enabled her to find favor with the king.
Many instances of God's favor on His people are recorded in the Scriptures. Through the ages, from the time of Abraham to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have seen how divine favor has elevated, protected, and provided for His people. God's favor is beyond our comprehension and defies human reasoning since it is wholly dependent on God's goodness and steadfastness rather than on our deservingness or merit.
Today, seek God’s favor upon all your life, and be sure that men will favor you wherever you find yourself. ( Psalms 5:12, Psalms 90:71)
What's Next? See our Inspirational Motivational Bible Quotes Today
