2:8 It so happened that when the king’s edict and his law became known 7 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 8 to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women.
9:13 Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, let the Jews who are in Susa be permitted to act tomorrow also according to today’s law, and let them hang the ten sons of Haman on the gallows.”
9:18 But the Jews who were in Susa assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth days, and rested on the fifteenth, making it a day for banqueting and happiness.
1 tc The Hebrew text of Esther does not indicate why this elaborate show of wealth and power was undertaken. According to the LXX these were “the days of the wedding” (αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ γάμου, Jai Jhmerai tou gamou), presumably the king’s wedding. However, a number of scholars have called attention to the fact that this celebration takes place just shortly before Xerxes’ invasion of Greece. It is possible that the banquet was a rallying for the up-coming military effort. See Herodotus, Histories 7.8. There is no reason to adopt the longer reading of the LXX here.
2 tc The LXX has ἕξ ({ex, “six”) instead of “seven.” Virtually all English versions follow the reading of the MT here, “seven.”
3 tn Heb “were found.”
4 tn Heb “from the great and unto the small.”
5 tn Heb “the house of the women” (so KJV, ASV). So also in vv. 9, 11, 13, and 14.
6 tn Heb “their ointments”; cf. NIV, CEV, NLT “beauty treatments.”
9 tn Heb “were heard” (so NASB); NRSV “were (had been NIV) proclaimed.”
10 tn Heb “the house of the king.” So also in vv. 9, 13. Cf. NLT “the king’s harem.”
13 tn Heb “given” (so KJV); NASB, NRSV, TEV, NLT “issued”; NIV “published”; NAB “promulgated.”
17 tn Heb “I and my female attendants.” The translation reverses the order for stylistic reasons.
18 tn Heb “which is not according to the law” (so KJV, NASB); NAB “contrary to the law.”