Ester 1:13

1:13 The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times – for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities. ¹ 

Ester 2:9

2:9 This young woman pleased him, ²  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 ³  young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem. ⁴ 

Ester 2:15

2:15 When it became the turn of Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai (who had raised her as if she were his own daughter ⁵ ) to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her.

Ester 4:16

4:16 “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa and fast in my behalf. Don’t eat and don’t drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I ⁶  will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. ⁷  If I perish, I perish!”

Ester 9:28

9:28 These days were to be remembered and to be celebrated in every generation and in every family, every province, and every city. The Jews were not to fail to observe these days of Purim; the remembrance of them was not to cease among their descendants.

¹ tn Heb “judgment” (so KJV); NASB, NIV “justice”; NRSV “custom.”

² tn Heb “was good in his eyes”; NLT “Hegai was very impressed with Esther.”

³ tn Heb “being looked at (with favor).”

⁴ tn Heb “of the house of the women” (so KJV, ASV). So also in vv. 11, 13, 14.

⁵ tn Heb “who had taken her to him as a daughter”; NRSV “who had adopted her as his own daughter.”

⁶ tn Heb “I and my female attendants.” The translation reverses the order for stylistic reasons.

⁷ tn Heb “which is not according to the law” (so KJV, NASB); NAB “contrary to the law.”