King James Version

What Does Esther 5:8 Mean?

Esther 5:8 in the King James Version says “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 reque... — study this verse from Esther chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. perform: Heb. do

Esther 5:8 · KJV


Context

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.

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. perform: Heb. do

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. called: Heb. caused to come


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 tomorrow as the king hath said. Esther delayed again, inviting the king and Haman to a second banquet "tomorrow" where she would finally reveal her request. The conditional phrases "if I have found favour" and "if it please the king" show humble deference despite the king's repeated generous offers. By requiring Haman's presence at both banquets, Esther ensured he couldn't escape before exposure. The promise "I will do tomorrow as the king hath said" committed her to revealing her request at the second banquet. This final delay built maximum suspense and positioned all players precisely where needed for the climactic confrontation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The second banquet invitation extended the strategy—another intimate setting, more wine, continued mystery. Ancient audiences would have recognized Esther's skill: she controlled timing and setting, maintained royal interest through suspense, and created multiple opportunities to establish favorable atmosphere. The delay also allowed events to unfold overnight—particularly the king's insomnia and discovery of Mordecai's unrewarded service (chapter 6), which would dramatically affect the next day's confrontation. Providence works through Esther's strategic delay, positioning pieces for maximum impact.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Esther's second delay demonstrate trust in God's timing rather than anxious rushing, even in crisis?
  2. What does this teach about how divine providence works through human strategic planning and patience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
אִם1 of 27
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

מָצָ֨אתִי2 of 27

If I have found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵ֜ן3 of 27

favour

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֵ֣י4 of 27

in the sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃5 of 27

as the king

H4428

a king

וְאִם6 of 27
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

עַל7 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃8 of 27

as the king

H4428

a king

ט֔וֹב9 of 27

and if it please

H2895

to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense

לָתֵת֙10 of 27

to grant

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת11 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י12 of 27

my petition

H7596

a petition; by implication, a loan

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה13 of 27

and to perform

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת14 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בַּקָּֽשָׁתִ֑י15 of 27

my request

H1246

a petition

יָב֧וֹא16 of 27

come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃17 of 27

as the king

H4428

a king

וְהָמָ֗ן18 of 27

and Haman

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

אֶל19 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמִּשְׁתֶּה֙20 of 27

to the banquet

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

אֲשֶׁ֣ר21 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה22 of 27

and to perform

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָהֶ֔ם23 of 27
H0
וּמָחָ֥ר24 of 27

to morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה25 of 27

and to perform

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כִּדְבַ֥ר26 of 27

hath said

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃27 of 27

as the king

H4428

a king


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 5:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 5:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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