Esther 5:6
What does Esther 5:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 5:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 5:6 means
In the convivial setting of the “banquet of wine,” the king again invites Esther to state her petition, repeating the lavish promise to grant it up to half his kingdom. The repetition signals persistence and favor; he wants to bless her and is ready to act. Banquets were places of decision in Persian courts, and Esther has secured the king’s attention when he is most inclined to be generous. Yet her wisdom leads her to wait one more day. The verse displays a convergence of openness, timing, and restraint—everything is aligned, but Esther will only speak when circumstances are fully ripe.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And while they were drinking wine the king said to Esther, What is your prayer? for it will be given to you and what is your request? for it will be done, even to the half of my kingdom.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the king saith to Esther, during the banquet of wine, `What <FI>is<Fi> thy petition? and it is given to thee; and what thy request? unto the half of the kingdom--and it is done.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the king said to her, after he had drunk wine plentifully: What dost thou desire should be given thee? and for what thing askest thou? although thou shouldst ask the half of my kingdom, thou shalt have it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the king said to 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 done.
Context
This moment follows the quick compliance of verse 5 and intensifies the opportunity before Esther. The king’s repeated offer raises the expectation that a grand request is imminent. Instead, in verses 7–8 Esther deliberately defers, asking for a second banquet. That delay heightens narrative suspense and allows background events, outside her control, to unfold before the crucial revelation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 9:12
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 then 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.
- Esther 5:3
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom.
- 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? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.