Esther 2:8-9

2:8 It so happened that when the king’s edict and his law became known 1  many young women were taken to Susa the citadel to be placed under the authority of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the royal palace 2  to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women. 2:9 This young woman pleased him, 3  and she found favor with him. He quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her rations; he also provided her with the seven specially chosen 4  young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem. 5 

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. 6 

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 7  will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. 8  If I perish, I perish!”

Esther 7:8

7:8 When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet of wine, Haman was throwing himself down 9  on the couch where Esther was lying. 10  The king exclaimed, “Will he also attempt to rape the queen while I am still in the building!”

As these words left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

1 tn Heb “were heard” (so NASB); NRSV “were (had been NIV) proclaimed.”

2 tn Heb “the house of the king.” So also in vv. 9, 13. Cf. NLT “the king’s harem.”

3 tn Heb “was good in his eyes”; NLT “Hegai was very impressed with Esther.”

4 tn Heb “being looked at (with favor).”

5 tn Heb “of the house of the women” (so KJV, ASV). So also in vv. 11, 13, 14.

6 tc The LXX does not include the words “and he provided for offerings at the king’s expense.”

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

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

9 tn Heb “falling”; NAB, NRSV “had (+ just TEV) thrown himself (+ down TEV).”

10 tn Heb “where Esther was” (so KJV, NASB). The term “lying” has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons; cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT “was reclining.”