Esther 5:4
New International Version
“If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

New Living Translation
And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

New American Standard Bible
Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

NASB 1995
Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

NASB 1977
And Esther said, “If it please the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the feast that I have prepared for him.”

Amplified Bible
Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

Christian Standard Bible
“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for them.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for them.”

American Standard Version
And Esther said, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

Contemporary English Version
Esther answered, "Your Majesty, please come with Haman to a dinner I will prepare for you later today."

English Revised Version
And Esther said, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Esther answered, "If it pleases you, Your Majesty, come today with Haman to a dinner I have prepared for you."

Good News Translation
Esther replied, "If it please Your Majesty, I would like you and Haman to be my guests tonight at a banquet I am preparing for you."

International Standard Version
Esther replied, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet I've prepared for him."

Majority Standard Bible
“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”

NET Bible
Esther replied, "If the king is so inclined, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him."

New Heart English Bible
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."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Esther answered, If it shall seem good to the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.

World English Bible
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Esther says, “If to the king [it be] good, the king comes in, and Haman, today, to the banquet that I have made for him”;

Young's Literal Translation
And Esther saith, 'If unto the king it be good, the king doth come in, and Haman, to-day, unto the banquet that I have made for him;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Esther will say, If good to the king, will the king come, and Haman, this day, to the drinking which I made for him?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But she answered: If it please the king. I beseech thee to come to me this day, and Aman with thee to the banquet which I have prepared.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But she responded, “If it pleases the king, I beg you to come with me today, and Haman with you, to the feast that I have prepared.”

New American Bible
Esther replied, “If it please your majesty, come today with Haman to a banquet I have prepared.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet that I have prepared for the king.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Esther answered, If it please the king, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I have pre pared for him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Esthir said: “If it is good unto the King, let the King and Haman come to the banquet that I have made for him.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Esther said: 'If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Esther said, To-day is my great day: if then it seem good to the king, let both him and Aman come to the feast which I will prepare this day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Esther Goes Before the King
3“What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.” 4“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.” 5“Hurry,” commanded the king, “and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.…

Cross References
Esther 7:1-2
So the king and Haman went to dine with Esther the queen, / and as they drank their wine on that second day, the king asked once more, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”

Esther 1:3-5
In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. / And for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness. / At the end of this time, in the garden court of the royal palace, the king held a seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest.

Esther 2:18
Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.

Esther 3:15
The 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.

Esther 6:14
While they were still speaking with Haman, the king’s eunuchs arrived and rushed him to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Esther 7:7-8
In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him. / Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

Esther 8:17
In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.

Esther 9:17-18
This was done on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested, making it a day of feasting and joy. / The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. So they rested on the fifteenth day, making it a day of feasting and joy.

Genesis 40:20
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his officials, and in their presence he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

1 Kings 3:15
Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.

1 Kings 10:5
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

2 Kings 6:23
So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.

Daniel 5:1
Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them.

Matthew 22:2-4
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. / He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. / Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

Matthew 25:1-10
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Esther answered, If it seem good to the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.

If it seem.

Esther 5:8
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.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

the banquet.

Esther 5:8
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.

Esther 3:15
The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

Genesis 27:25
And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.

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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 it pleases the king
This phrase reflects the respectful and strategic approach Esther takes in addressing King Xerxes. The Hebrew root for "pleases" is "טוֹב" (tov), which conveys goodness or favor. Esther's choice of words demonstrates her wisdom and understanding of court protocol. She acknowledges the king's authority and seeks his favor, which is crucial in a setting where the king's pleasure dictates outcomes. Historically, Persian kings were known for their absolute power, and Esther's deference is both a cultural necessity and a strategic move to ensure her request is well-received.

replied Esther
Esther's reply is significant as it marks her active engagement in the narrative. The Hebrew name "אֶסְתֵּר" (Esther) is derived from the Persian word for "star," symbolizing her role as a guiding light for her people. Her reply is not just a response but a pivotal moment of courage and faith. Esther's Jewish identity is hidden, yet her actions are driven by her commitment to her people and God. This moment underscores the theme of divine providence, as Esther steps into her role for "such a time as this" (Esther 4:14).

may the king and Haman come today
Esther's invitation to both the king and Haman is a calculated move. By including Haman, she sets the stage for revealing his plot against the Jews. The Hebrew word for "come" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which implies movement or arrival. Esther's invitation is immediate, "today," indicating urgency and the importance of the matter. This reflects her understanding of timing and the need to act swiftly. Historically, banquets were significant in Persian culture, often used for political discussions and decisions, making Esther's invitation both culturally appropriate and strategically sound.

to the banquet I have prepared for him
The banquet is a central element in Esther's plan. The Hebrew word for "banquet" is "מִשְׁתֶּה" (mishteh), which denotes a feast or drinking party. In the Persian Empire, such gatherings were not only social events but also opportunities for political maneuvering. Esther's preparation of the banquet signifies her active role in the unfolding events. It is a demonstration of her resourcefulness and ability to navigate the complexities of the royal court. Scripturally, the banquet serves as a turning point in the narrative, where Esther's courage and God's providence begin to manifest in the deliverance of the Jewish people.

(4) Let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet.--It was natural enough that, with so much depending on her request, the queen should show some hesitation: if anything took an untoward turn (for, in spite of the king's promise, she evidently felt uneasy) it might mean total ruin. She therefore temporises; she at any rate gains time, she secures a specially favourable opportunity for bringing forward the request, and the king clearly sees that she has kept her real petition in reserve by himself again raising the question. It will be noticed that so long as Esther is working her way up to the due vantage-ground, the king is addressed in the third person, let the king come," but when she makes the decisive appeal, in the second, "in thy sight, O king."

Verse 4. - Let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that l have prepared. Such an invitation as this was very unusual. Ordinarily the king and queen dined separately, each in their own apartments; family gatherings, however, not being unknown (Plut., 'Vit. Artaxerx.,' § 5; Athen., 'Deipnsoph.,' 4. p. 145, A). But for the queen to invite not only the king, but also another male guest, not a relation, was a remarkable innovation, and must have seemed to the fortunate recipient of the invitation a high act of favour.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“If
אִם־ (’im-)
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,”
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

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

replied,
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

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

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

today
הַיּ֔וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

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

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

I have prepared
עָשִׂ֥יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for [the king].”
לֽוֹ׃ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: Esther 5:4 Esther said If it seems good (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 5:3
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