Esther 1:2

1:2 In those days, as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa the citadel,

Esther 1:7

1:7 Drinks were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king’s expense.

Esther 2:2

2:2 The king’s servants who attended him said, “Let a search be conducted in the king’s behalf for attractive young women.

Esther 3:11

3:11 The king replied to Haman, “Keep your money, and do with those people whatever you wish.”

Esther 4:6

4:6 So Hathach went to Mordecai at the plaza of the city in front of the king’s gate.

Esther 6:12

6:12 Then Mordecai again sat at the king’s gate, while Haman hurried away to his home, mournful and with a veil over his head.

Esther 7:10

7:10 So they hanged Haman on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. The king’s rage then abated.

Esther 9:11

9:11 On that same day the number of those killed in Susa the citadel was brought to the king’s attention.

Esther 9:14

9:14 So the king issued orders for this to be done. A law was passed in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged.


tn Heb “Shushan” (so KJV, ASV). Most recent English versions render this as “Susa.”

tn The Hebrew word בִּירָה (birah) can refer to a castle or palace or temple. Here it seems to have in mind that fortified part of the city that might be called an acropolis or citadel. Cf. KJV “palace”; NAB “stronghold”; NASB “capital”; NLT “fortress.”

tn Heb “to cause to drink” (Hiphil infinitive construct of שָׁקָה, shaqah). As the etymology of the Hebrew word for “banquet” (מִשְׁתֶּה, mishteh, from שָׁתָה, shatah, “to drink”) hints, drinking was a prominent feature of ancient Near Eastern banquets.

tn Heb “young women, virgins, good of form.” The same phrase also occurs in v. 3.

tn Heb “the silver is given to you”; NRSV “the money is given to you”; CEV “You can keep their money.” C. A. Moore (Esther [AB], 40) understands these words somewhat differently, taking them to imply acceptance of the money on Xerxes’ part. He translates, “Well, it’s your money.”

tn Heb “according to what is good in your eyes”; NASB “do with them as you please.”