Esther 1:2

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

Esther 2:21

2:21 In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who protected the entrance, became angry and plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus.


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 This individual is referred to as “Bigthana,” a variant spelling of the name, in Esth 6:2.

tc The LXX does not include the names “Bigthan and Teresh” here.

tn Heb “guarders of the threshold”; NIV “who guarded the doorway.”

tn Heb “sought to send a hand against”; CEV “decided to kill.”