Esther 5:8
New International Version
If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

New Living Translation
If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about.”

English Standard Version
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

Berean Standard Bible
If 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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

New American Standard Bible
if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I wish, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says.”

NASB 1995
if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do what I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says.”

NASB 1977
if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition and do what I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I shall prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says.”

Legacy Standard Bible
if I have found favor in the eyes of the king, and if it seems good to the king to give heed to my petition and to do my request, may the king and Haman come to the feast which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do according to the word of the king.”

Amplified Bible
if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to do as I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them; and tomorrow I will do as the king says [and express my request].”

Christian Standard Bible
If I have found favor in the eyes of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and perform my request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will do what the king has asked.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If the king approves of me and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and perform my request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will do what the king has asked.”

American Standard Version
If 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.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Your Majesty, come with Haman to a dinner I will prepare for you. And tomorrow I will answer you, Your Majesty. If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, Your Majesty, may you [then] grant my request and do what I would like."

Good News Translation
"If Your Majesty is kind enough to grant my request, I would like you and Haman to be my guests tomorrow at another banquet that I will prepare for you. At that time I will tell you what I want."

International Standard Version
If I've found favor with the king and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to honor my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I'll prepare for them tomorrow, and then I'll do what the king has said."

Majority Standard Bible
If 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.?

NET Bible
If I have found favor in the king's sight and if the king is inclined to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time I will do as the king wishes.

New Heart English Bible
If 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 will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said."

Webster's Bible Translation
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it shall 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.

World English Bible
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
if I have found grace in the eyes of the king, and if to the king [it be] good, to give my petition, and to perform my request, the king comes, and Haman, to the banquet that I make for them, and tomorrow I do according to the word of the king.”

Young's Literal Translation
if I have found grace in the eyes of the king, and if unto the king it be 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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
If I found favor in the eyes of the king, and if good to the king to give my asking and to do my seeking, the king shall come and Haman to the drinking that I shall make for them, and to-morrow I will do as the king said.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to give me what I ask, and to fulfill my petition, let the king and Haman come to the feast which I have prepared for them, and tomorrow I will open my mind to the king.”

New American Bible
if I have found favor with the king and if it pleases your majesty to grant my petition and honor my request, let the king come with Haman tomorrow to a banquet I will prepare; and tomorrow I will do as the king asks.”

New Revised Standard Version
If I have won the king’s favor, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and then I will do as the king has said.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king to grant my petition and to per form my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them tomorrow, as the king has said.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If I have found affection in your eyes, oh King, and if it is beautiful unto you oh King, that you give me my request and you will perform for me my request, the King and Haman will come to the banquet that I shall make for them tomorrow, according to the answer of the King.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
if I have found favour in the sight of the king, let the king and Aman come again to-morrow to the feast which I shall prepare for them, and to-morrow I will do the same.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Esther Goes Before the King
7Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request: 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.”

Cross References
Esther 7:3
Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.

Esther 8:5
“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if I have found favor in his sight, and the matter seems proper to the king, and I am pleasing in his sight, may an order be written to revoke the letters that the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces.

Nehemiah 2:4-5
“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven / and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”

Genesis 43:16
When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon.”

1 Kings 3:5
One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

1 Kings 9:2-3
the LORD appeared to him a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. / And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time.

1 Kings 10:13
King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—whatever she asked—besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants.

Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

Daniel 1:9
Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official,

Daniel 2:16
So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could give him the interpretation.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 18:19
Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.

Mark 6:22-25
When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” / And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” / Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.” ...

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.


Treasury of Scripture

If 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 has said.

perform.

to-morrow.

Esther 6:1-13
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 the LORD directeth his steps.

Jump to Previous
Approval Banquet Dinner Eyes Favor Favour Feast Found Fulfil Fulfill Good Grace Grant Haman King's Morrow Perform Petition Please Pleases Pleasure Prayer Prepare Request Sight Tomorrow To-Morrow Word
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Approval Banquet Dinner Eyes Favor Favour Feast Found Fulfil Fulfill Good Grace Grant Haman King's Morrow Perform Petition Please Pleases Pleasure Prayer Prepare Request Sight Tomorrow To-Morrow Word
Esther 5
1. Esther, adventuring on the king's favor, obtains the grace of the golden sceptre,
4. and invites the king and Haman to a banquet.
6. She, being encouraged by the king in her suit, invites them to another banquet.
9. Haman, proud of his advancement, repines at the contempt of Mordecai.
14. By the counsel of Zeresh he prepares for him a gallows.














If I have found favor in the sight of the king
This phrase reflects Esther's humility and strategic approach. The Hebrew word for "favor" is "ḥēn," which implies grace or charm. Esther is aware of the cultural and political dynamics at play, recognizing that her success depends on the king's goodwill. Historically, Persian kings were known for their absolute power, and gaining their favor was crucial for any request. Esther's approach is both respectful and wise, acknowledging the king's authority while subtly reminding him of her previous favor.

and if it pleases the king
The phrase "if it pleases" is a diplomatic expression, showing Esther's tactfulness. The Hebrew root "ṭôb" means good or pleasing, indicating that Esther is aligning her request with the king's interests. This reflects a common practice in ancient Near Eastern courts, where subjects would frame their requests in a way that appealed to the ruler's desires or benefits. Esther's careful wording demonstrates her understanding of court etiquette and her ability to navigate it effectively.

to grant my petition and fulfill my request
Here, Esther uses a parallel structure to emphasize her plea. The words "petition" and "request" are translated from the Hebrew "šē'ēlâ" and "baqqāšâ," respectively, both of which denote a formal appeal. This repetition underscores the seriousness and urgency of her plea. In the context of the Persian Empire, where the king's word was law, such a request required careful presentation. Esther's choice of words reflects her awareness of the gravity of her situation and her reliance on the king's benevolence.

may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them
Esther's invitation to a banquet is a strategic move. In ancient Persian culture, banquets were significant social events where political decisions were often made. By inviting both the king and Haman, Esther sets the stage for a private and controlled environment to present her case. The Hebrew word for "banquet" is "mišteh," which often implies a feast with wine, suggesting a setting of celebration and goodwill. Esther's foresight in planning this event highlights her wisdom and courage.

Then I will answer the king’s question
This phrase indicates Esther's patience and strategic timing. She withholds her true request, building suspense and ensuring the king's curiosity and attention. The Hebrew root "ʿānâ" for "answer" suggests a response or reply, indicating that Esther is prepared to address the king's inquiries fully. By delaying her answer, Esther ensures that the king is fully engaged and invested in the outcome, demonstrating her skillful navigation of court politics and her reliance on divine timing.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I have found
מָצָ֨אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

favor
חֵ֜ן (ḥên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2580: Graciousness, subjective, objective

in the sight
בְּעֵינֵ֣י (bə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the king,
הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

and if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

it pleases
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the king
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

to grant
לָתֵת֙ (lā·ṯêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

my petition
שְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י (šə·’ê·lā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7596: Request, thing asked for

and fulfill
וְלַעֲשׂ֖וֹת (wə·la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

my request,
בַּקָּשָׁתִ֑י (baq·qā·šā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1246: Request, entreaty

may the king
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

and Haman
וְהָמָ֗ן (wə·hā·mān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2001: Haman -- to rage, be turbulent

come
יָב֧וֹא (yā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

tomorrow
וּמָחָ֥ר (ū·mā·ḥār)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 4279: Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafter

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the banquet
הַמִּשְׁתֶּה֙ (ham·miš·teh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4960: Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast

I will prepare
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֣ה (’e·‘ĕ·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for them.
לָהֶ֔ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 0: 0

Then I will answer
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה (’e·‘ĕ·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

the king's
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

question.?
כִּדְבַ֥ר (kiḏ·ḇar)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT History: Esther 5:8 If I have found favor (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 5:7
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