Exhibit 5

                  OPINION OF LUSE GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK, PC


                          LUSE GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK
                           A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW

                     5335 WISCONSIN AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 780
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20015
                                [OBJECT OMITTED]
                            TELEPHONE (202) 274-2000
                            FACSIMILE (202) 362-2902
                                 www.luselaw.com

WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL NUMBER                           WRITER'S EMAIL
(202) 274-2000


December 15, 2009

Board of Directors
ESSA Bancorp, Inc.
200 Palmer Street
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18360

              Re:      ESSA Bank & Trust 401(k) Plan
                       Registration Statement on Form S-8

Lady and Gentlemen:

     You have  requested  the  opinion  of this firm as to  certain  matters  in
connection with the registration of  participation  interests in the ESSA Bank &
Trust 401(k) Plan (the "Plan").

     In rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have reviewed the Articles of
Incorporation  of ESSA Bancorp,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  the Plan, the Company's
Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 (the  "Form  S-8"),  as well as  applicable
statutes  and   regulations   governing   the  Company.   We  have  assumed  the
authenticity,  accuracy and completeness of all documents in connection with the
opinion   expressed  herein.  We  have  also  assumed  the  legal  capacity  and
genuineness  of the  signatures  of persons  signing all documents in connection
with which the opinions expressed herein are rendered.

     Based on the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:

     Upon the effectiveness of the Form S-8 and in accordance with the Plan, the
participation  interests  in the Plan will be  legally  issued,  fully  paid and
non-assessable and the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the
Company  that may be  purchased  by the Plan  will,  upon  purchase,  be legally
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     This  opinion  has  been  prepared  solely  for the use of the  Company  in
connection  with the  preparation  and filing of the Form S-8, and should not be
used for any other purpose or relied upon by any other person  without the prior
written  consent of this firm.  We hereby  consent to the use of this opinion in
the Form S-8.



                                       Very truly yours,


                                       /s/ Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.
/
                                       LUSE GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK
                                       A Professional Corporation