Esther 2:19-23
English Standard Version
Mordecai Discovers a Plot
19 Now when the virgins were gathered together (A)the second time, Mordecai was sitting (B)at the king's gate. 20 (C)Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just (D)as when she was brought up by him. 21 In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, (E)Bigthan and (F)Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 22 And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, (G)and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. 23 When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows.[a] And it was recorded in (H)the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.
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- Esther 2:23 Or wooden beam or stake; Hebrew tree or wood. This Persian execution practice involved affixing or impaling a person on a stake or pole (compare Ezra 6:11)
Esther 2:19-23
New Living Translation
19 Even after all the young women had been transferred to the second harem[a] and Mordecai had become a palace official,[b] 20 Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home.
Mordecai’s Loyalty to the King
21 One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthana[c] and Teresh—who were guards at the door of the king’s private quarters—became angry at King Xerxes and plotted to assassinate him. 22 But Mordecai heard about the plot and gave the information to Queen Esther. She then told the king about it and gave Mordecai credit for the report. 23 When an investigation was made and Mordecai’s story was found to be true, the two men were impaled on a sharpened pole. This was all recorded in The Book of the History of King Xerxes’ Reign.
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Esther 2:19-23
New International Version
Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy
19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.(A) 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.(B)
21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana[a] and Teresh, two of the king’s officers(C) who guarded the doorway, became angry(D) and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled(E) on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals(F) in the presence of the king.(G)
Footnotes
- Esther 2:21 Hebrew Bigthan, a variant of Bigthana
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