Discovery BoxEsther 1:14 
Context1:14 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 3:8
Context3:8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a particular people 3 that is dispersed and spread among the inhabitants 4 throughout all the provinces of your kingdom whose laws differ from those of all other peoples. Furthermore, they do not observe the king’s laws. It is not appropriate for the king to provide a haven for them. 5
Esther 9:2
Context9:2 The Jews assembled themselves in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to strike out against those who were seeking their harm. No one was able to stand before them, for dread of them fell on all the peoples.
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 tn Heb “one people.” Note the subtle absence at this point of a specific mention of the Jewish people by name.
4 tn Heb “peoples” (so NASB, NIV); NAB “nations”
5 tn Heb “to cause them to rest”; NASB “to let them remain”; NAB, NIV, NRSV “to tolerate them.”
