Esther 5:8
What does Esther 5:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 5:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 5:8 means
Appealing to the favor already shown, Esther asks that the king and Haman return the next day to another banquet she will prepare. She promises that then she will comply with the king’s request to state her petition. This is a masterstroke of timing. By gaining a renewed commitment and arranging a second private audience, she ensures the king’s attention and Haman’s presence when she finally speaks. The delay is not evasion but trust—allowing space for providence to work and for emotions to be optimal. Esther’s careful choreography shows faith joined to thoughtful strategy in confronting a deadly edict.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If I have the king's approval, and if it is the king's pleasure to give me my prayer and do my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast which I will make ready for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if I have found grace in the eyes of the king, and if unto the king <FI>it be<Fi> good, to give my petition, and to perform my request, the king doth come, and Haman, unto the banquet that I make for them, and to-morrow I do according to the word of the king.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If I have found favour in the king's sight, and if it please the king to give me what I ask, and to fulfil my petition: let the king and Aman come to the banquet which I have prepared them, and to morrow I will open my mind to the king.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If I have found grace 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 according to the king's word.
Context
This verse concludes the first banquet scene and sets an appointment for the next day, extending the tension that began in verse 1. With the promise of a second feast, the narrative now shifts focus to Haman as he exits the palace (verse 9). What happens between the two banquets will prove decisive, and the chapter’s latter half begins to expose Haman’s character and plans.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 6:1
On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
- Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.
- Esther 8:5
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:
- Esther 7:3
Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor 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: