Esther 7:3

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתַּ֨עַן
answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#2
אֶסְתֵּ֤ר
Then Esther
ester, the jewish heroine
#3
הַמַּלְכָּה֙
the queen
a queen
#4
וַתֹּאמַ֔ר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#6
מָצָ֨אתִי
If I have found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#7
חֵ֤ן
favour
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
#8
בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙
in thy sight
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#9
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
O king
a king
#10
וְאִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
O king
a king
#13
ט֑וֹב
and if it please
to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense
#14
תִּנָּֽתֶן
be given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#15
לִ֤י
H0
#16
נַפְשִׁי֙
let my life
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#17
בִּשְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י
me at my petition
a petition; by implication, a loan
#18
וְעַמִּ֖י
and my people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#19
בְּבַקָּֽשָׁתִֽי׃
at my request
a petition

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing life contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Esther Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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