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
Christian Standard Bible
Mordecai Saves the King
19 When the virgins(A) were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate.(B) 20 Esther still did not reveal her family background or her ethnicity, as Mordecai had directed. She obeyed Mordecai’s orders, as she always had while he raised her.
21 During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs(C) who guarded the entrance, became infuriated and planned to assassinate[a] King Ahasuerus. 22 When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther, and she told the king on Mordecai’s behalf.(D) 23 When the report was investigated and verified, both men were hanged on the gallows.(E) This event was recorded in the Historical Record in the king’s presence.
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- 2:21 Lit and they sought to stretch out a hand against
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.