Esther 2:17

2:17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval ¹  more than all the other young women. ²  So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen ³  in place of Vashti.

Esther 5:2

5:2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. ⁴  The king extended to Esther the gold scepter that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.

Esther 5:8

5:8 If I have found favor in the king’s sight and if the king is inclined ⁵  to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time ⁶  I will do as the king wishes. ⁷ 

Esther 7:3

7:3 Queen Esther replied, “If I have met with your approval, ⁸  O king, and if the king is so inclined, grant me my life as my request, and my people as my petition.

¹ tn Heb “grace and loyal love.” The expression is probably a hendiadys.

² tc The LXX does not include the words “more than all the other young women.”

³ tn Heb “caused her to rule.”

⁴ tn Heb “she obtained grace in his eyes”; NASB “she obtained favor in his sight”; NIV “he was pleased with her”; NLT “he welcomed her.”

⁷ tn Heb “if upon the king it is good.” Cf. the similar expression in v. 4, which also occurs in 7:3; 8:5; 9:13.

⁸ tn Heb “and tomorrow” (so NASB); NAB, NRSV “and then.”

⁹ tn Heb “I will do according to the word of the king,” i.e., answer the question that he has posed. Cf. NCV “Then I will answer your question about what I want.”

¹⁰ tn Heb “If I have found grace in your eyes” (so also in 8:5); TEV “If it please Your Majesty.”