Bible Strands
Esther 5:4
“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Esther addresses the king immediately after he offers any petition up to half his kingdom. She responds by inviting both the king and Haman to a banquet she has prepared for that day.
The words — The Hebrew phrase אִם־ עַל־ הַמֶּלֶךְ טוֹב (im-'al ha-melekh tov) literally renders "if it is good to the king," serving as a conditional clause of deference. The verb יָבוֹא (ya.vo) commands "let him come," directing the royal summons.
The thread — This conditional deference reappears in Esther 5:8 when she repeats the formula before revealing her true petition. The pattern of royal summons and banquet preparation parallels the urgent edict dispatch in Esther 3:15.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to observe how strategic hospitality masks a high-stakes political maneuver. It demands attention to the tension between Esther’s deferential language and the king’s immediate compliance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Esther 5:8 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.”
- Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
- 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.
- Psalms 112:5 It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
- Genesis 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.
- Genesis 32:20 You 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.”