Esther 1:19

1:19 If the king is so inclined, 1  let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed, 2  that Vashti 3  may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another 4  who is more deserving than she. 5 

Esther 4:16

4:16 “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa and fast in my behalf. Don’t eat and don’t drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I 6  will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. 7  If I perish, I perish!”

Esther 9:1

The Jews Prevail over Their Enemies

9:1 In the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), on its thirteenth day, the edict of the king and his law were to be executed. It was on this day that the enemies of the Jews had supposed that they would gain power over them. But contrary to expectations, the Jews gained power over their enemies.

1 sn Heb “If upon the king it is good”; KJV “If it please the king.” Deferential language was common in ancient Near Eastern court language addressing a despot; it occurs often in Esther.

2 sn Laws…that cannot be repealed. On the permanence of the laws of Media and Persia see also Esth 8:8 and Dan 6:8, 12, 15.

3 sn Previously in this chapter the word “queen” accompanies Vashti’s name (cf. vv. 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17). But here, in anticipation of her demotion, the title is dropped.

4 tn Heb “her neighbor”; NIV “someone else.”

5 tn Heb “who is better than she.” The reference is apparently to worthiness of the royal position as demonstrated by compliance with the king’s wishes, although the word טוֹב (tob, “good”) can also be used of physical beauty. Cf. NAB, NASB, NLT “more worthy than she.”

6 tn Heb “I and my female attendants.” The translation reverses the order for stylistic reasons.

7 tn Heb “which is not according to the law” (so KJV, NASB); NAB “contrary to the law.”