Esther 5:7
What does Esther 5:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 5:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 5:7 means
Esther answers, but not with content—yet. By framing her words as “my petition and my request is,” she signals weighty matters are at stake and invites the king to lean in. She is not indecisive; she is deliberate. A careful beginning builds gravity and prepares the way for the conditional appeal that follows. Esther understands court dynamics and the need to bind the king by his own favor before unveiling a request that will implicate his prime minister and challenge a royal decree. Her measured preface shows prudence under pressure and a resolve to speak at the moment of greatest effect.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Esther said in answer, My prayer and my request is this:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Esther answereth and saith, `My petition and my request <FI>is<Fi> :
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Esther answered: My petition and request is this:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Esther answered and said, My petition and my request is,
Context
This brief reply stands between the king’s generous question in verse 6 and Esther’s deferral in verse 8. It functions like a drumroll—announcing that something significant is coming but holding back the details. The next verse converts anticipation into a strategic invitation for a second banquet, preserving momentum while postponing the crisis point to the following day.
v.6And 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.
v.7This passage
v.8If I have found favor 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.