What Does Esther 5:8 Mean in the King James?
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 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
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 grace in the eyes of the LORD.And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.THE THREAD
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead 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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