Esther 7:3

Translations

Modern

Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.

Traditional

Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

Literal

And Esther the queen answered and said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, O king, and if upon the king it is good, let my soul be given to me at my petition, and my people at my request;

Latin

Ad quem illa respondit: Si inveni gratiam in oculis tuis o rex, et si tibi placet, dona mihi animam meam pro qua rogo, et populum meum pro quo obsecro.

Original

Hebrew

English

Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.

Notes

Esther 7:3–4

my life...and the lives of my people: The statement that someone wanted to kill the queen and her family likely surprised and shocked the king.
my people and I have been sold: Esther carefully mentioned the large sum Haman paid the king to approve the decree (Esther 3:8–11). She also used the exact words from Haman’s decree, stating its purpose was to destroy, kill, and annihilate (see Esther 3:13).
If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent: Esther humbly explained her request was due to the severe threat against her and her people.

Theme notes and profiles

Esther

Related verses

Jeremiah 38:26
…then tell them, ‘I was presenting to the king my petition that he not return me to the house of Jonathan to die there.’”
Job 2:4
“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.
Psalm 122:6–9
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.
Esther 7:7
In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him.
Esther 4:8
Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther, urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people.
1 Kings 20:31
Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.”
2 Kings 1:13
So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, “Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours please be precious in your sight.
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.”

People

Esther: Jewish queen of Persia; saved her people from genocide

Glossary

Book of Esther Feasts and Festivals of Israel

Topics

Queen Esther Select Readings: Esther's Triumph

Esther 7:3

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