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Esther 5:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Esther 5:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom.
Esther 5:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Esther 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king`s house, over against the king`s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house.
2And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
3Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom.
4And Esther said, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
5Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
← Esther 5:2Esther 5:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then said the king unto her, what wilt thou, Queen Esther? etc.] He supposed she had some business with him, some suit to make to him, by her coming in this manner: and what is thy request? signifying he was ready to grant it, be it what it would: it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom; as it was usual with the Persian kings to give their wives cities for certain purposes, (see Gill on “<170218>Esther 2:18”), here Ahasuerus, out of his great affection to Esther, offers half of his dominions, his one hundred and twenty seven provinces; meaning that he would grant her anything, and everything that was reasonable, and even magnificent; it is an hyperbolical and courtly way of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom--This mode of speaking originated in the Persian custom of appropriating for the maintenance of great men, or royal favorites, one city for his bread, another for his wine, a third for his clothes, &c., so that the phrase denoted great liberality.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It shall be even given thee ... - Xerxes, on another occasion, when pleased with one of his wives, offered to grant her any request whatever, without limitation. Compare the margin reference. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“It shall be given - God in his providence often prevents the fears and outdoes the hopes of his servants. To the half of the kingdom - A proverbial expression: that is, nothing in reason shall be denied. Esther 5:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:3 I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom! This conventional idiom meant the king would be generous toward her request. The king did not want anything to prevent Esther from speaking the full truth.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“What: Est 5:6; Est 7:2, Est 9:12; Kg1 2:20, Kg1 3:5; Mat 20:20-22; Luk 18:41 to: Est 5:6; Mar 6:23 Esther 5:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification