Esther 2:8

2:8 It so happened that when the king’s edict and his law became known ¹  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 ²  to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women.

Esther 3:4

3:4 And after they had spoken to him day after day ³  without his paying any attention to them, they informed Haman to see whether this attitude on Mordecai’s part would be permitted. ⁴  Furthermore, he had disclosed to them that he was a Jew. ⁵ 

¹ tn Heb “were heard” (so NASB); NRSV “were (had been NIV) proclaimed.”

² tn Heb “the house of the king.” So also in vv. 9, 13. Cf. NLT “the king’s harem.”

³ sn Mordecai’s position in the service of the king brought him into regular contact with these royal officials. Because of this association the officials would have found ample opportunity to complain of Mordecai’s refusal to honor Haman by bowing down before him.

⁴ tn Heb “Will the matters of Mordecai stand?”; NASB “to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand.”

⁵ sn This disclosure of Jewish identity is a reversal of the practice mentioned in 1:10, 20.