King James Version

What Does Esther 7:2 Mean?

Esther 7:2 in the King James Version says “And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.”

Esther 7:2 · KJV

Context

1

So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. to banquet: Heb. to drink

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? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

3

Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour 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:

4

For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. to be destroyed: Heb. that they should destroy, and kill, and cause to perish

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, The phrase "said again" (va'yomer, וַיֹּאמֶר) references the king's identical question at the first banquet (5:6). The repetition demonstrates royal persistence and curiosity—Esther's delay has intensified the king's interest. The specification "second day" and "banquet of wine" grounds this climactic moment in precise narrative context.

What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. The king's formula exactly repeats 5:6, with the threefold offer: petition (she'elatekh, שְׁאֵלָתֵךְ), request (baqqashatekh, בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ), and the extravagant "even to the half of the kingdom" (ad chatzi hamalkhut, עַד חֲצִי הַמַּלְכוּת). This hyperbolic royal promise, repeated verbatim, creates legal and moral obligation. The address "queen Esther" emphasizes her official status, reminding readers that her intervention carries constitutional weight. Esther has positioned herself perfectly: the king has committed publicly, Haman is present to be exposed, and Mordecai has been honored, demonstrating the king's capacity to reverse previous positions. Divine providence has prepared every element.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The formula "even to the half of the kingdom" represents ancient Near Eastern royal hyperbole, expressing unlimited generosity without literal intent to divide the realm. Similar phrases appear in extrabiblical texts where monarchs grant extravagant promises to favored subjects. The threefold structure—petition, request, half the kingdom—creates rhetorical emphasis and public commitment. Persian kings took oaths seriously; royal promises made before witnesses could not be easily broken without loss of honor. Ahasuerus's repeated question shows both genuine affection for Esther and growing curiosity about her mysterious delay. The banquet setting, with wine lowering inhibitions and hospitality creating obligation, maximized Esther's leverage. Her strategic timing meant the king would hear her petition in the most favorable possible circumstance, with Haman present for immediate judgment and no opportunity for counter-plotting.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Esther's patient waiting for God's timing challenge our tendency toward impulsive action when facing injustice?
  2. What does the king's repeated, escalating offer teach about how God prepares human hearts for His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 20

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ2 of 20

“And the king”

H4428

a king

אֶסְתֵּ֥ר3 of 20

“Esther”

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

גַּ֣ם4 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בַּיּ֤וֹם5 of 20

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשֵּׁנִי֙6 of 20

“on the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

בְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה7 of 20

“at the banquet”

H4960

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

הַיַּ֔יִן8 of 20

“of wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

מַה9 of 20
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

שְּׁאֵֽלָתֵ֛ךְ10 of 20

“What is thy petition”

H7596

a petition; by implication, a loan

אֶסְתֵּ֥ר11 of 20

“Esther”

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

הַמַּלְכָּ֖ה12 of 20

“queen”

H4436

a queen

וְתִנָּ֣תֵֽן13 of 20

“and it shall be granted”

H5414

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

לָ֑ךְ14 of 20
H0
וּמַה15 of 20
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

בַּקָּֽשָׁתֵ֛ךְ16 of 20

“thee and what is thy request”

H1246

a petition

עַד17 of 20
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

חֲצִ֥י18 of 20

“even to the half”

H2677

the half or middle

הַמַּלְכ֖וּת19 of 20

“of the kingdom”

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

וְתֵעָֽשׂ׃20 of 20

“and it shall be performed”

H6213

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

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 7:2 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 7:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 16:24Esther 5:3Esther 9:12Esther 5:6

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