Esther 1:14
1:14 Those who were closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were the seven officials of Persia and Media who saw the king on a regular basis 1 and had the most prominent offices 2 in the kingdom.
Esther 2:18
2:18 Then the king prepared a large banquet for all his officials and his servants – it was actually Esther’s banquet. He also set aside a holiday for the provinces, and he provided for offerings at the king’s expense. 3
Esther 6:9
6:9 Then let this clothing and this horse be given to one of the king’s noble officials. Let him 4 then clothe the man whom the king wishes to honor, and let him lead him about through the plaza of the city on the horse, calling 5 before him, ‘So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!’”
1 tn Heb “seers of the face of the king”; NASB “who had access to the king’s presence.”
2 tn Heb “were sitting first”; NAB “held first rank in the realm.”
3 tc The LXX does not include the words “and he provided for offerings at the king’s expense.”
4 tc The present translation reads with the LXX וְהִלְבִּישׁוֹ (vÿhilbisho, “and he will clothe him”) rather than the reading of the MT וְהִלְבִּישׁוּ (vÿhilbishu, “and they will clothe”). The reading of the LXX is also followed by NAB, NRSV, TEV, CEV, and NLT. Likewise, the later verbs in this verse (“cause him to ride” and “call”) are better taken as singulars rather than plurals.
5 tn Heb “and let them call” (see the previous note).