What Does Esther 5:7 Mean in the King James?

Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

Esther 5:7 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

In Hebrew, Esther’s “petition” is an asking and her “request” is a seeking, so the line names both the desire and its pursuit before disclosing either.

THE MEANING

A desire can enter speech before its full shape is revealed. The line names asking and seeking, then holds the actual request just beyond the sentence’s edge.

THE ROOT

שְׁאֵלָתִי

she’elati

GROWS FROM

שׁ־א־ל

sh-ʾ-l

Ask, inquire, or seek an answer.

The word translated “petition” carries the sense of asking itself. Esther names the act of asking before the content of the request appears.

ALSO GROWS

sha’al: Ask or inquire.

שָׁאַל

The verb beneath “petition” makes her words an act of asking, not merely a formal claim.

she’elah: A question or request.

שְׁאֵלָה

This related noun holds inquiry and petition together, echoing how the verse lets the question precede its answer.

וּבַקָּשָׁתִי

u-vaqqashati

GROWS FROM

ב־ק־שׁ

b-q-sh

Seek, search for, desire, or request.

The second word opens the request into a movement of seeking. Beside “asking,” it gives the line two angles on desire: what is voiced and what is pursued.

ALSO GROWS

biqqesh: Seek or search for.

בִּקֵּשׁ

The verb reveals the searching motion held inside the word translated “request.”

mevaqqesh: One who seeks.

מְבַקֵּשׁ

This form names the seeker, showing how the root can describe not only a request but the one reaching toward what is sought.

THE PATTERN

A desire can be named through asking and seeking before it is fully made known.

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Psalm 27:4 · KJVDesire becomes a continuing search, giving the wish both an object and a direction.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:7 · KJVAs in Esther’s paired words, asking and seeking appear as distinct movements toward what is desired.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:6 · KJVThe request that is first carried inward becomes something made known.

THE THREAD

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 5:8 · KJV

The next line gives shape to what this one leaves suspended: Esther’s petition is that the king and Haman come to her banquet. Hebrew repeats both roots, ⁨שׁ־א־ל⁩ (ask) and ⁨ב־ק־שׁ⁩ (seek), as the named desire becomes a stated request.

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