King James Version

What Does Esther 7:3 Mean?

Esther 7:3 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Esther chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Esther 7:3 · 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

5

Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? that: Heb. whose heart hath filled him


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Esther's petition: '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'. Esther reveals she's among those targeted by the genocidal decree, personally appealing for her life and her people's. Her phrasing ('let my life be given me') demonstrates rhetorical skill—she presents herself as condemned but deserving king's mercy. The phrase 'my people' will force the king to recognize Jews aren't abstract threat but include his beloved queen. This strategic revelation demonstrates wisdom in advocacy—making abstract injustice personal and specific to move hearts toward action.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern court advocacy required skillful rhetoric. Esther's appeal balances humility ('if I have found favour') with directness ('let my life be given me'), making personal what Ahasuerus had approved abstractly. That she identifies Jews as 'my people' forces the king to recognize that the decree threatens someone he loves, personalizing the genocide. Her timing—after two banquets building suspense, after Haman's attendance increasing dramatic tension—shows strategic wisdom. Ancient rhetoric valued kairos (proper timing) and pathos (emotional appeal), both demonstrated here. Esther's intercession foreshadows Christ's advocacy for His people before the Father.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Esther's rhetorical strategy teach about effective advocacy for the vulnerable and oppressed?
  2. How does her intercession for her people foreshadow Christ's advocacy for believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַתַּ֨עַן1 of 19

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֶסְתֵּ֤ר2 of 19

Then Esther

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

הַמַּלְכָּה֙3 of 19

the queen

H4436

a queen

וַתֹּאמַ֔ר4 of 19

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם5 of 19
H518

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

מָצָ֨אתִי6 of 19

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

חֵ֤ן7 of 19

favour

H2580

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

בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙8 of 19

in thy sight

H5869

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ9 of 19

O king

H4428

a king

וְאִם10 of 19
H518

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

עַל11 of 19
H5921

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ12 of 19

O king

H4428

a king

ט֑וֹב13 of 19

and if it please

H2895

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

תִּנָּֽתֶן14 of 19

be given

H5414

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

לִ֤י15 of 19
H0
נַפְשִׁי֙16 of 19

let my life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בִּשְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י17 of 19

me at my petition

H7596

a petition; by implication, a loan

וְעַמִּ֖י18 of 19

and my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בְּבַקָּֽשָׁתִֽי׃19 of 19

at my request

H1246

a petition


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 7:3 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 7:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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