Esther 2:9

2:9 This young woman pleased him, ¹  and she found favor with him. He quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her rations; he also provided her with the seven specially chosen ²  young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem. ³ 

Esther 2:17

2:17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval ⁴  more than all the other young women. ⁵  So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen ⁶  in place of Vashti.

Esther 3:1

Haman Conspires to Destroy the Jews

3:1 Some time later ⁷  King Ahasuerus promoted ⁸  Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, exalting him and setting his position ⁹  above that of all the officials who were with him.

Esther 5:2

5:2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. ¹⁰  The king extended to Esther the gold scepter that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.

Esther 5:11

5:11 Haman then recounted to them his fabulous wealth, ¹¹  his many sons, ¹²  and how the king had magnified him and exalted him over the king’s other officials and servants.

[2:9]  ¹ tn Heb “was good in his eyes”; NLT “Hegai was very impressed with Esther.”

[2:9]  ² tn Heb “being looked at (with favor).”

[2:9]  ³ tn Heb “of the house of the women” (so KJV, ASV). So also in vv. 11, 13, 14.

[2:17]  ⁴ tn Heb “grace and loyal love.” The expression is probably a hendiadys.

[2:17]  ⁵ tc The LXX does not include the words “more than all the other young women.”

[2:17]  ⁶ tn Heb “caused her to rule.”

[3:1]  ⁷ tn Heb “after these things” (so KJV, ASV); NAB, NASB, NIV “After these events.”

[3:1]  ⁸ tn Heb “made great”; NAB “raised…to high rank”; NIV “honored.”

[3:1]  ⁹ tn Heb “chair”; KJV, NRSV “seat”; NASB “established his authority.”

[5:2]  ¹⁰ 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.”

[5:11]  ¹³ tn Heb “the glory of his riches” (so KJV, NASB); NRSV “the splendor of his riches.”

[5:11]  ¹⁴ sn According to Esth 9:10 Haman had ten sons.