Esther 1:6

1:6 The furnishings included linen and purple curtains hung by cords of the finest linen 1  and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches 2  displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone.

Esther 7:9

7:9 Harbona, 3  one of the king’s eunuchs, said, “Indeed, there is the gallows that Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke out in the king’s behalf. It stands near Haman’s home and is seventy-five feet 4  high.”

The king said, “Hang him on it!”

1 sn The finest linen was byssus, a fine, costly, white fabric made in Egypt, Palestine, and Edom, and imported into Persia (BDB 101 s.v. בּוּץ; HALOT 115-16 s.v. בּוּץ).

2 tn The Hebrew noun מִטָּה (mittah) refers to a reclining couch (cf. KJV “beds”) spread with covers, cloth and pillow for feasting and carousing (Ezek 23:41; Amos 3:12; 6:4; Esth 1:6; 7:8). See BDB 641-42 s.v.; HALOT 573 s.v.

3 sn Cf. 1:10, where Harbona is one of the seven eunuchs sent by the king to summon Queen Vashti to his banquet.

4 tn Heb “fifty cubits.” See the note on this expression in Esth 5:14.