What Does Esther 5:8 Mean?
If I have found favor in the eyes of the king, and if it pleases the king to give my asking, and to do my seeking, let the king and Haman come to the drinking that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do according to the word of the king.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James 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 to morrow as the king hath said.THE KEY
Favor can secure the room before the request is revealed.
THE MEANING
You can remain within favor without disclosing the whole request at once. The invitation holds open another shared table, and “to morrow” gives the request its own time. Being received and being ready to speak are not the same moment.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
You must disclose your request as soon as you have access.
THE ROOT
חֵן
ḥēn
GROWS FROM
חנן
To show favor, to be gracious.
The favor Esther names is חֵן (ḥēn), from חנן (ḥānan), the root of showing favor. English can make “favour” sound like a private opinion; this word carries the sense of a welcome that gives her room to arrange another meeting before naming what she wants.
ALSO GROWS
ḥānan: To show favor; to be gracious.
חָנַן
This is the action behind “found favour”: the king receives Esther favorably, making the next meeting possible.
ḥannun: Gracious; favor-giving.
חַנּוּן
This branch describes the one who grants favor, keeping the focus on a welcome given by the king.
ḥinnām: Freely; without cost or cause.
חִנָּם
This branch carries the sense of favor freely given, before Esther has spoken the request itself.
THE PATTERN
Favor is named as an opening through which what comes next can be received.
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.And the LORD said to Moses, I will do this word also that you have spoken, for you have found favor in my eyes, and I have known you by name.And the messenger said to her, Do not be seized by awe, Mary, for you have found favor with God.THE THREAD
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she lifted favor and faithful love before him above all the virgins. And he set the crown of kingship upon her head, and made her queen in place of Vashti.Esther 2:17 uses חֵן (ḥēn, favor), from חנן (ḥānan), the same word family named here. There, favor is joined to her place in the king’s sight; here, it gives her room to set the next meeting and hold her request until tomorrow.
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