Esther 7:5
New International Version
King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

New Living Translation
“Who would do such a thing?” King Xerxes demanded. “Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you?”

English Standard Version
Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?”

Berean Standard Bible
Then King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?”

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
So King Ahasuerus answered and said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?”

New American Standard Bible
Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would presume to do such a thing?

NASB 1995
Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would presume to do thus?”

NASB 1977
Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would presume to do thus?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then King Ahasuerus said—he said to Esther the Queen, “Who is this one, and where is this one, who fills his heart to do thus?”

Amplified Bible
Then King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who dares to do such a thing?”

Christian Standard Bible
King Ahasuerus spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
King Ahasuerus spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?”

American Standard Version
Then spake the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

Contemporary English Version
"Who would dare to do such a thing?" the king asked.

English Revised Version
Then spake the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then King Xerxes interrupted Queen Esther and said, "Who is this person? Where is the person who has dared to do this?"

Good News Translation
Then King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, "Who dares to do such a thing? Where is this man?"

International Standard Version
Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, "Who is this, and where is the person who would dare do this?"

Majority Standard Bible
Then King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?”

NET Bible
Then King Ahasuerus responded to Queen Esther, "Who is this individual? Where is this person to be found who is presumptuous enough to act in this way?"

New Heart English Bible
Then King Achshayarsh said to Esther the queen, "Who is he, and where is he who dared presume in his heart to do so?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said to Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

World English Bible
Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, “Who is he, and where is he who dared presume in his heart to do so?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And King Ahasuerus says, indeed, he says to Esther the queen, “Who [is] he—this one? And where [is] this one whose heart has filled him to do so?”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king Ahasuerus saith, yea, he saith to Esther the queen, 'Who is he -- this one? and where is this one? -- he whose heart hath filled him to do so?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king Ahasuerus will say, and he will say to Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, whom his heart filled him to do thus?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And king Assuerus answered and said: Who is this, and of what power, that he should do these things?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And king Artaxerxes answered and said, “Who is this, and of what power, that he would dare to do these things?”

New American Bible
King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who and where is the man who has dared to do this?”

New Revised Standard Version
Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then King Akhshirash answered and said to Esther the queen, Who is he and where is he who dares to presume in his heart to do so?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King Akhashiresh answered and said to Esthir the Queen: “Who is this or who is it who has exalted his heart that he has done so?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then spoke the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen: 'Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king said, Who is this that has dared to do this thing?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Esther Pleads for Her People
4For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.” 5Then King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?” 6Esther replied, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked man—Haman!” And Haman stood in terror before the king and queen.…

Cross References
Esther 3:5-6
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage. / And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.

Esther 4:13-14
he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews. / For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther 5:9-14
That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai. / Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh, / Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants. ...

Esther 6:6-10
Haman entered, and the king asked him, “What should be done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king be delighted to honor more than me?” / And Haman told the king, “For the man whom the king is delighted to honor, / have them bring a royal robe that the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden—one with a royal crest placed on its head. ...

Esther 8:3-8
And once again, Esther addressed the king. She fell at his feet weeping and begged him to revoke the evil scheme of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. / The king extended the gold scepter toward Esther, and she arose and stood before the king. / “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. ...

Esther 9:24-25
For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them. / But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Genesis 45:3-5
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. / Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.

1 Samuel 24:17
and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.

2 Samuel 12:5-7
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! / Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” / Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

1 Kings 21:19-20
Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’” / When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.

Psalm 7:14-16
Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; he conceives trouble and births falsehood. / He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. / His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.

Proverbs 26:27
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 27:3-4
When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said to Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that dared presume in his heart to do so?

Who is he.

Genesis 27:33
And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.

Job 9:24
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?

that durst, etc.

Acts 5:3
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

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Esther 7
1. Esther, entertaining the king and Haman, pleads for her own life, and her people's.
5. She accuses Haman.
7. The king in his anger, understanding of the gallows Haman had made for Mordecai,
10. causes Haman to be hanged thereon.














Then King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, Who is he, and where is the man who has dared to do this?
Then King Xerxes
The mention of "King Xerxes" situates the narrative within the Persian Empire, under the rule of Xerxes I, also known as Ahasuerus in Hebrew. Historically, Xerxes reigned from 486 to 465 BC, a period marked by significant political and military events. His character in the Book of Esther is portrayed as powerful yet susceptible to influence, highlighting the providential hand of God working through human authority. The king's role in this account underscores the theme of divine sovereignty, where God uses even pagan rulers to fulfill His purposes.

asked Queen Esther
The interaction between King Xerxes and Queen Esther is pivotal. Esther, a Jewish woman who became queen, represents courage and faith. Her approach to the king is a strategic and prayerful act, reflecting her reliance on God. The Hebrew root for "asked" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) implies a seeking or inquiring, indicating the king's genuine curiosity and concern. Esther's position as queen is a testament to God's providence, placing her in a position of influence "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14).

Who is he, and where is the man
This phrase reveals the king's immediate reaction to Esther's revelation of a threat against her people. The king's inquiry is direct and urgent, reflecting his authority and responsibility to protect his subjects. The repetition of "who" and "where" emphasizes the seriousness of the accusation and the king's determination to address the injustice. In a broader scriptural context, this moment illustrates the theme of justice, a core attribute of God's character, as seen throughout the Bible.

who has dared to do this
The word "dared" (הֵעֵז, he'ez) in Hebrew conveys a sense of boldness or audacity. It highlights the gravity of the offense against the Jewish people and the king's authority. This phrase underscores the moral outrage and the breach of trust involved in Haman's plot. Historically, such a plot against an entire people group within the empire would have been seen as a significant threat to the king's rule and stability. Theologically, this moment serves as a reminder of God's protection over His covenant people, as He works through Esther to bring about deliverance.

Verse 5. - Who is he? Ahasuerus asks the question to "make sure," as we say - not that he could really be in any doubt. That durst presume. Rather, "that hath presumed" (ὅστις ἐτόλμησε. - LXX.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

Xerxes
אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ (’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 325: Ahasuerus -- king of Persia

spoke up
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

and asked
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Queen
הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה (ham·mal·kāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4436: Queen -- a queen

Esther,
לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר (lə·’es·têr)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 635: Esther -- 'star', Ahasuerus' queen who delivered Israel

“Who
מִ֣י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

is this,
זֶה֙ (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

and where
וְאֵֽי־ (wə·’ê-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 335: Where?, how?

is the one
ה֥וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

would
מְלָא֥וֹ (mə·lā·’ōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

devise
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

such a scheme?”
כֵּֽן׃ (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus


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OT History: Esther 7:5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 7:4
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