Esther 8:5 Meaning: Asking for a Reversal
She said, “If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seems right to the king, and I am 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 who are in all the king’s provinces.
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:
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:
and saith, `If to the king it be good, and if I have found grace before him, and the thing hath been right before the king, and I be good in his eyes, let it be written to bring back the letters--a device of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite--that he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all provinces of the king,
and said, If it please the king and if I have found grace before him, and the thing seem right to the king, and I be pleasing in his sight, 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.
Meaning in one sentence
Esther asks to reverse Haman's decree despite Persian law. Her humble, wise request opens a way where none seemed possible.
Context
The danger feels even worse now. Haman is dead, but his decree to destroy the Jews is still law, sealed with the king's ring and sent across the empire. Esther has already risked her life once to reveal the plot. Now she falls at the king's feet, weeping, and begs him to undo the harm. The king holds out the golden scepter. She stands and speaks, choosing her words with extraordinary care. She does not demand. She does not accuse the king. She lays the whole blame on Haman, and she asks for what seems legally impossible: a reversal.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words shape this request. Chen (favor) appears twice. It means unearned grace, the kind Moses asked for in Exodus 33:13. Esther is not claiming a right; she is asking for a gift. Kasher (right, proper) is a rare word that means something is fitting or advantageous. She wants the king to see that her request is not just for her own good but is the wise thing to do. And shuv (to reverse, to cause to return) is the same verb used for repentance elsewhere in Scripture. She asks for the decree to be turned back, undone. Together these words show humility, wisdom, and a daring hope that even sealed laws can be answered by a greater authority.
"Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your way..."
— Exodus 33:13 (WEB)
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across traditions note the careful strategy in Esther's words. Gill and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown emphasize her tact in shifting all blame onto Haman while showing full submission to the king. Cambridge Bible observes that the long preface suggests her doubt about whether the request will be granted. Christians have seen Esther as a model of intercessory prayer, approaching a king with reverence and a specific petition. Others highlight God's hidden providence. While the book never names God, the timing and outcome point to His hand at work through one woman's humble courage.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that Esther did not understand Persian law. She asks to reverse the decree, but everyone knew that a decree sealed with the king's ring could not be undone. In fact, Esther knew this. She was not asking the king to erase the old letters. She was asking for a new decree that would cancel the effect of the first one. The king's answer in verse 8 confirms this very solution.
Living This Out
Perhaps you are facing a situation that feels locked tight: a decision that cannot be changed, a wrong that seems permanent. Esther does not resign herself to that. She takes the risk to speak. She chooses respectful words. She asks for something specific, not a vague rescue. And she does not stop with her own safety; she pleads for her people. This week, consider where a humble but specific request might open a door you thought was closed. You do not have to accept the way things are if you can speak with wisdom and grace.
Main takeaway: Humble courage and wise words can open a way through the most permanent-looking walls.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Esther was very brave. She asked the king to save her family. She used kind words because she respected him.
For ages 9, 12
Esther knew that the king's law could not be changed. But she did not give up. She asked the king to write a new law to protect the Jews. She was respectful and smart. Sometimes when something seems impossible, God gives us wisdom to find another way.
Questions People Ask
Why does Esther use so many “if” phrases before she makes her request?
She piles up expressions of humility to show her complete submission to the king's will. Each phrase like “if it pleases the king” or “if I have found favor” builds a tone of respect and reminds the king of their relationship. It also shows she is nervous and wants every possible reason for him to say yes.
What does “if it pleases the king” really mean in this context?
It is a standard courtly phrase used throughout the book of Esther. It means “if you are willing” or “if this seems good to you.” Esther uses it along with other similar expressions to emphasize that she is not demanding anything but placing herself completely at the king's mercy.
Why can't the king just cancel the first decree?
According to Persian law, a decree sealed with the king's ring could not be reversed by any person, not even the king himself. The king explains this in verse 8. So instead of revoking the old decree, he authorizes a new one that gives the Jews the right to defend themselves, effectively neutralizing the first order.
How does this request compare to Esther's earlier approach in chapter 5?
In chapter 5, Esther invited the king and Haman to a banquet without stating her request. Here she comes directly with a specific petition after falling at his feet in tears. The urgency is greater because the decree is already in effect. Both times she uses careful timing and deep respect.
Is there a connection between Esther's “finding favor” and Moses' words in Exodus?
Yes, the Hebrew phrase “found favor in your sight” is used by Moses in Exodus 33:13 when he asks God to show him His ways. That same language is used here for Esther before the king. It suggests that she is asking not for something owed but for a gift of grace, just as Moses did with God.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study