Biblical Verses Biblical Verses & Resources

Book of Esther - Chapter 8 - Verse 5

8:5
And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:

Meaning

This verse from the book of Esther in the Bible illustrates the crucial moment when Esther, the queen, courageously approaches King Xerxes to plead for the reversal of a decree that threatens the lives of her people, the Jews. In this verse, Esther humbly asks for the king's favor, expressing her desire for the king to intervene and prevent the genocide planned by Haman, the villain in the story. By emphasizing her respect and submission to the king, Esther strategically prepares to reveal her identity as a Jew and appeal for justice. The verse highlights Esther's faith, bravery, and her willingness to risk her own life to save her people. Ultimately, this act of intervention by Esther sets in motion a series of events that lead to the salvation of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire.

Theological Overview

Upon examining the theological interpretation of this verse, it is evident that the Apostle Paul often used the biblical concept of favor or finding favor in someone's sight as a way to explain God's grace and mercy towards believers. In this particular verse, Esther is essentially asking for divine favor from King Xerxes to reverse the decree that would have led to the destruction of the Jewish people. This demonstrates the importance of seeking God's favor and aligning oneself with His will in times of trouble and seeking His intervention in critical moments. Furthermore, the word "reverse" in this context carries a significant theological implication, highlighting God's power to overturn evil schemes and bring about justice and deliverance for His people.

American Standard Version

And she said, If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews that are in all the king's provinces:
Previous VerseNext Verse