Esther 5

New American Standard Bible 2020

Esther Plans a Banquet

1Now it came about 1on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood 2in the inner courtyard of the king’s palace in front of the king’s 3rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the 4throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace. 2When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the courtyard, 5she obtained favor in his sight; and 6the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. 3Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? 7Up to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.” 4Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

5Then the king said, “8Bring Haman quickly so that we may do 9as Esther desires.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared. 6 10As they drank their wine at the banquet, 11the king said to Esther, “12What is your request, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your wish? Up to half of the kingdom it shall be done.” 7So Esther replied, “My request and my wish is: 8 13if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do 14what I wish, may the king and Haman come to 15the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do 16as the king says.”

Haman’s Pride

9Then Haman went out that day joyful and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai 17at the king’s gate and 18that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai. 10Haman controlled himself, however, and went to his house. But he 19sent for his friends and his wife 20Zeresh. 11Then Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and his 21many sons, and every occasion on which the king had honored him and how he had 22 23promoted him above the officials and servants of the king. 12Haman also said, “Even Esther the queen let no one except me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and 24tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king. 13Yet all of this 25does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at 26the king’s gate.” 14Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “27Have a wooden gallows 28fifty cubits high made, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” And the 29advice pleased Haman, so he had the wooden gallows made.

Notes

1. Esther 5:1 Esth 4:16 ↩
2. Esther 5:1 Esth 4:11; 6:4 ↩
3. Esther 5:1 Lit house ↩
4. Esther 5:1 Lit royal house ↩
5. Esther 5:2 Esth 2:9 ↩
6. Esther 5:2 Esth 4:11; 8:4 ↩
7. Esther 5:3 Esth 7:2; Mark 6:23 ↩
8. Esther 5:5 Esth 6:14 ↩
9. Esther 5:5 Lit the word of Esther ↩
10. Esther 5:6 Lit At the banquet of wine ↩
11. Esther 5:6 Esth 7:2 ↩
12. Esther 5:6 Esth 5:3 ↩
13. Esther 5:8 Esth 7:3; 8:5 ↩
14. Esther 5:8 Lit my wish ↩
15. Esther 5:8 Esth 6:14 ↩
16. Esther 5:8 Lit according to the word of the king ↩
17. Esther 5:9 Esth 2:19 ↩
18. Esther 5:9 Esth 3:5 ↩
19. Esther 5:10 Lit sent and brought ↩
20. Esther 5:10 Esth 6:13 ↩
21. Esther 5:11 Esth 9:7-10 ↩
22. Esther 5:11 Lit lifted ↩
23. Esther 5:11 Esth 3:1 ↩
24. Esther 5:12 Esth 5:8 ↩
25. Esther 5:13 Lit is not suitable to me ↩
26. Esther 5:13 Esth 5:9 ↩
27. Esther 5:14 Esth 6:4; 7:9, 10 ↩
28. Esther 5:14 About 75 ft. or 23 m ↩
29. Esther 5:14 Lit word ↩

Esther Plans a Banquet

Haman’s Pride

Notes

Commentaries on Esther 5