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 2:11

2:11 And day after day Mordecai used to walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem in order to learn how Esther was doing ²  and what might happen to her.

Ester 2:22

2:22 When Mordecai learned of the conspiracy, ³  he informed Queen Esther, ⁴  and Esther told the king in Mordecai’s behalf. ⁵ 

Ester 4:1

Esther Decides to Risk Everything in order to Help Her People

4:1 Now when Mordecai became aware of all that had been done, he ⁶  tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went out into the city, crying out in a loud ⁷  and bitter voice.

Ester 4:5

4:5 So Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been placed at her service, ⁸  and instructed him to find out the cause and reason for Mordecai’s behavior. ⁹ 

[1:13]  ¹ tn Heb “judgment” (so KJV); NASB, NIV “justice”; NRSV “custom.”

[2:11]  ² tn Heb “to know the peace of Esther.”

[2:22]  ³ sn The text of Esther does not disclose exactly how Mordecai learned about the plot against the king’s life. Ancient Jewish traditions state that Mordecai overheard conspiratorial conversation, or that an informant brought this information to him, or that it came to him as a result of divine prompting. These conjectures are all without adequate support from the biblical text. The author simply does not tell the source of Mordecai’s insight into this momentous event.

[2:22]  ⁴ tc The LXX simply reads “Esther” and does not include “the queen.”

[2:22]  ⁵ tc The LXX adds here “the things concerning the plot.”

[2:22]  tn Heb “in the name of Mordecai” (so NRSV); NIV “giving credit to Mordecai.”

[4:1]  ⁶ tn Heb “Mordecai.” The pronoun (“he”) was used in the translation for stylistic reasons. A repetition of the proper name here is redundant in terms of contemporary English style.

[4:1]  ⁷ tn Heb “great.”

[4:5]  ⁸ tn Heb “whom he caused to stand before her”; NASB “whom the king had appointed to attend her.”

[4:5]  ⁹ tn Heb “concerning Mordecai, to know what this was, and why this was.”