“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
- KJV And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
- ESV And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.”
- NKJV So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
- NASB Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
- NLT And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.”
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Rather than ask outright, Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet she has prepared. Her shrewd patience begins to unfold a careful plan.
Overview
Esther wisely delays her petition, drawing the king and her enemy together in a controlled setting. Her measured strategy reflects prudence under pressure, trusting timing as much as boldness. The unfolding plan illustrates how God often works deliverance through human wisdom exercised in faith.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Prov 29:11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
- Esth 5:8If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
- 1 Cor 14:20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
- Esth 3:15The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.
- Ps 112:5It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
- Gen 27:25“Serve me,” said Isaac, “and let me eat some of my son’s game, so that I may bless you.” Jacob brought it to him, and he ate; then he brought him wine, and he drank.
- Gen 32:20You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Though God is never named, his hidden hand preserves the people from whom the Messiah will come — a deliverance 'for such a time as this' that anticipates the open deliverance of Christ.
How Esther 5:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.