2:21 In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan 3 and Teresh, 4 two of the king’s eunuchs who protected the entrance, 5 became angry and plotted to assassinate 6 King Ahasuerus.
1 tn Heb “Shushan” (so KJV, ASV). Most recent English versions render this as “Susa.”
2 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.”
3 tn This individual is referred to as “Bigthana,” a variant spelling of the name, in Esth 6:2.
4 tc The LXX does not include the names “Bigthan and Teresh” here.
5 tn Heb “guarders of the threshold”; NIV “who guarded the doorway.”
6 tn Heb “sought to send a hand against”; CEV “decided to kill.”