Esther 5:6 And as they drank their wine, the king said to 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 5:6 ►

New International Version
As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

New Living Translation
And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”

English Standard Version
And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”

Berean Standard Bible
And as they drank their wine, the king said to 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.”

King James Bible
And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

New King James Version
At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”

New American Standard Bible
As they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, “What is your request, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your wish? Up to half of the kingdom it shall be done.”

NASB 1995
As they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.”

NASB 1977
And, as they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then, as they drank their wine at the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? For it shall be given to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.”

Amplified Bible
As they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.”

Christian Standard Bible
While drinking the wine, the king asked Esther, “Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be done.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
While drinking the wine, the king asked Esther, “Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be done.”

American Standard Version
And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

Contemporary English Version
and while they were drinking wine, the king asked her, "What can I do for you? Just ask, and I will give you as much as half of my kingdom."

English Revised Version
And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall he granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
While they were drinking wine, the king asked Esther, "What is your request? It will be granted to you. What would you like? Even if it is up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted."

Good News Translation
Over the wine the king asked her, "Tell me what you want, and you shall have it. I will grant your request, even if you ask for half my empire."

International Standard Version
While they were drinking wine, the king asked Esther, "What's your petition? It will be given to you. What's your request? Up to half of the kingdom, and it will be done."

Majority Standard Bible
And as they drank their wine, the king said to 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.?

NET Bible
While at the banquet of wine, the king said to Esther, "What is your request? It shall be given to you. What is your petition? Ask for as much as half the kingdom, and it shall be done!"

New Heart English Bible
The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, "What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

World English Bible
The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the king says to Esther, during the banquet of wine, “What [is] your petition? And it is given to you; and what [is] your request? To the half of the kingdom—and it is done.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith to Esther, during the banquet of wine, 'What is thy petition? and it is given to thee; and what thy request? unto the half of the kingdom -- and it is done.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will say to Esther at the drinking of wine, What thy asking? and it shall be given to thee: and what thy seeking? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be done.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king said to her, after he had drunk wine plentifully: What dost thou desire should be given thee? and for what thing askest thou? although thou shouldst ask the half of my kingdom, thou shalt have it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the king said to her, after he had drunk wine abundantly, “What are you asking for that should be given to you? And which things do you require? Even if you request half of my kingdom, you will obtain it.”

New American Bible
During the drinking of the wine, the king said to Esther, “Whatever you ask for shall be granted, and whatever request you make shall be honored, even if it is for half my kingdom.”

New Revised Standard Version
While they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What is your petition? And it shall be granted you; and what is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be given you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King said to Esthir at the banquet of wine: “What is your request? It shall be given to you, and what is your request? Unto the half of the kingdom it shall be given to you!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine: 'Whatever thy petition, it shall be granted thee; and whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And at the banquet the king said to Esther, What is thy request, queen Esther? speak, and thou shalt have all that thou requirest.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Esther Goes Before 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. 6And as they drank their wine, the king said to 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.” 7Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request:…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Esther 7:2
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 9:12
who said to Queen Esther, “In the citadel of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men, including Haman’s ten sons. What have they done in the rest of the royal provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given to you. And what further do you request? It will be fulfilled.”

Mark 6:22-23
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!”

Matthew 14:6-7
On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod / so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.

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 13:7
Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”

Daniel 5:16
But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

Nehemiah 2:4
“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven

John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

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.

1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

James 4:3
And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

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.

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.

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Treasury of Scripture

And the king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What is your petition? and it shall be granted you: and what is your request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

the king said.

Esther 5:3
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

Esther 7:2
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.

Esther 9:12
And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.

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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.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

And as they drank their wine
In ancient Persian culture, banquets were significant social and political events. Wine was often consumed during these gatherings, symbolizing celebration and the king's favor. The setting of a banquet indicates a moment of potential influence and decision-making. Esther's strategic use of a banquet to approach the king reflects her wisdom and understanding of court customs.

the king said to Esther
King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, was the ruler of the Persian Empire. His relationship with Esther, his queen, is central to the narrative. Esther's position as queen gives her unique access to the king, yet she must navigate the risks associated with approaching him without being summoned, as seen earlier in the story.

What is your petition?
The king's question indicates his willingness to listen and respond to Esther's needs. In the context of the narrative, Esther's petition is crucial for the survival of her people, the Jews. This moment highlights the theme of divine providence, as Esther is positioned to intercede on behalf of her people.

It will be given to you.
The king's assurance suggests a readiness to grant Esther's request, demonstrating his favor towards her. This reflects the cultural practice of kings granting requests during banquets, a time when they were more inclined to generosity.

What is your request?
The repetition of the question emphasizes the king's openness and eagerness to fulfill Esther's desires. It also builds suspense in the narrative, as the reader anticipates Esther's response and the unfolding of her plan.

Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.
This hyperbolic expression was a common royal idiom, indicating the king's extreme generosity and willingness to grant significant requests. It is not meant to be taken literally but underscores the king's favor towards Esther. This phrase is reminiscent of Herod's offer to Herodias' daughter in Mark 6:23, illustrating a similar cultural expression of royal benevolence.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Esther
The Jewish queen of Persia, who is courageous and wise. She is strategically planning to save her people from destruction.

2. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes)
The Persian king, known for his opulence and power. He is willing to grant Esther's request, showing his favor towards her.

3. The Banquet
A private setting where Esther invites the king and Haman, creating an opportunity to present her petition.

4. Haman
The antagonist in the account, who is plotting against the Jews. His presence at the banquet is part of Esther's strategic plan.

5. The Kingdom of Persia
The vast empire over which King Ahasuerus rules, symbolizing the worldly power and authority at play.

Teaching Points

Divine Timing and Wisdom
Esther's approach to the king demonstrates the importance of waiting for the right moment and using wisdom in our requests. We should seek God's guidance in our interactions and decisions.

Favor and Influence
Esther's favor with the king shows how God can grant us influence in the eyes of others. We should pray for favor in our endeavors, especially when advocating for justice or righteousness.

Courage in Advocacy
Esther's courage to stand up for her people is a powerful example of advocacy. We are called to be bold in standing for truth and justice, trusting God to work through us.

The Power of Preparation
Esther's preparation before approaching the king underscores the importance of being prepared spiritually and mentally for the tasks God sets before us.

God's Sovereignty
The unfolding events in Esther's account remind us of God's sovereignty over human affairs. We can trust that He is in control, even when circumstances seem daunting.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) The banquet of wine.--The continuation of the banquet of Esther 5:5 : the dessert, so to speak.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - What is thy petition? Ahasuerus has understood that it was not for the mere pleasure of entertaining himself and his prime minister at a banquet that Esther adventured her life. He knows that she must still have a request - the real favour that she wants him to grant - in the background. He therefore repeats the inquiry and the premise that he had made previously (ver. 8).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And as they drank
בְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה (bə·miš·têh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4960: Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast

their wine,
הַיַּ֔יִן (hay·ya·yin)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

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

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

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

“What
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is your petition?
שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֖ךְ (šə·’ê·lā·ṯêḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 7596: Request, thing asked for

It will be given
וְיִנָּ֣תֵֽן (wə·yin·nā·ṯên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to you.
לָ֑ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

What [is]
וּמַה־ (ū·mah-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

your request?
בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ (baq·qā·šā·ṯêḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1246: Request, entreaty

Even up to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

half
חֲצִ֥י (ḥă·ṣî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2677: The half, middle

the kingdom,
הַמַּלְכ֖וּת (ham·mal·ḵūṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

it will be fulfilled.”
וְתֵעָֽשׂ׃ (wə·ṯê·‘āś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

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OT History: Esther 5:6 The king said to Esther at (Est Esth. Es)