Esther 7:5

Authorized King James Version

Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
Then the king
a king
#3
אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ
Ahasuerus
achashverosh (i.e., ahasuerus or artaxerxes, but in this case xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a persian king
#4
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר
unto Esther
ester, the jewish heroine
#6
הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה
the queen
a queen
#7
מִ֣י
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#8
ה֥וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#9
זֶה֙
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#10
וְאֵֽי
where? hence how?
#11
זֶ֣ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#12
ה֔וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#13
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
מְלָא֥וֹ
Who is he and where is he that durst presume
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#15
לִבּ֖וֹ
in his heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#16
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
to do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#17
כֵּֽן׃
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

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 divine revelation 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People