Mardochaeus's Dream and Astin's Fall

Esther 1

Mardochaeus, a Jew serving in the Persian court, has a troubling dream of conflict between nations, and afterward uncovers a plot against King Artaxerxes by two of his chamberlains, which he reports and so saves the king's life. At a great feast, Queen Astin refuses to appear before the king and his nobles, and on the advice of his princes the king removes her from her royal position and sends out a decree calling for husbands to be honored throughout the kingdom.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

ThomsonIN the second year of the great king Artaxerxes, on the first day of the month Nisan, Mordecai,* the son of Jairus, son of Semei, son of Kisai, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Jew who dwelt in the city of Susa, and a great man (being an attendant in the king’s court), beheld a vision.

Brenton[ In the second year of the reign of Artaxerxes the great king, on the first day of Nisan, Mardochæus the son of Jairus, the son of Semeias, the son of Cisæus, of the tribe of Benjamin,

Greek“ἜΤΟΥΣ δευτέρου βασιλεύοντος Ἀρταξέρξου τοῦ μεγάλου βασιλέως τῇ μιᾷ τοῦ Νισὰν, ἐνύπνιον εἶδε Μαρδοχαῖος ὁ τοῦ Ἰαΐρου, τοῦ Σεμεΐου, τοῦ Κισαίου, ἐκ φυλῆς Βενιαμὶν,

Thomson—

Brentona Jew dwelling in the city Susa, a great man, serving in the king's palace, saw a vision.

Greekἄνθρωπος Ἰουδαῖος οἰκῶν ἐν Σούσοις τῇ πόλει, ἄνθρωπος μέγας, θεραπεύων ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ τοῦ βασιλέως.

ThomsonNow he was one of the captives whom Nabuchodonosar, king of Babylon, carried off from Jerusalem with Jechonias, the king of Judea. And this was his dream:

BrentonNow he was of the captivity which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried captive from Jerusalem, with Jechonias the king of Judea.

GreekἮν δὲ ἐκ τῆς αἰχμαλωσίας, ἦς ᾐχμαλώτευσε Ναβουχοδονόσορ βασιλεὺς Βαβυλῶνος ἐξ Ἰερουσαλὴμ, μετὰ Ἰεχονίου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd this was his dream: Behold, voices and a noise, thunders and earthquake, tumult upon the earth.

Greek“Καὶ τοῦτο αὐτοῦ τὸ ἐνύπνιον· καὶ ἰδοὺ φωναὶ καὶ θόρυβος, βρονταὶ καὶ σεισμὺς, τάραχος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

ThomsonBehold! a din and uproar, thunder with earthquake, and confusion abroad on the earth. And behold, two great dragons came forth, both ready for conflict, and their voice was great. And at their cry all nations made ready for battle, to war against the righteous nation. And lo! a day of black darkness, tribulation and anguish, affliction and great disorder upon earth. And the whole righteous nation was troubled, fearing their own miseries, and prepared to perish. Then they cried unto God, and at their entreaty there appeared a great stream from a small fountain, even much water. The light and the sun arose, and the lowly were exalted, and devoured the mighty.

BrentonAnd, behold, two great serpents came forth, both ready for conflict, and there came from them a great voice,

GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ δύο δράκοντες μεγάλοι, ἕτομοι προῆλθον ἀμφότεροι παλαίειν· καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτῶν φωνὴ μεγάλη,

Thomson—

Brentonand by their voice every nation was prepared for battle, even to fight against the nation of the just.

Greekκαὶ τῇ φωνῇ αὐτῶν ἡτοιμάσθη πᾶν ἔθνος εἰς πόλεμον, ὥστε πολεμῆσαι δικαίων ἔθνος.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd, behold, a day of darkness and blackness, tribulation and anguish, affliction and great tumult upon the earth.

GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ ἡμέρα σκότους καὶ γνόφου, θλιψις καὶ στενοχωρία, κάκωσις καὶ τάραχος μέγας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd all the righteous nation was troubled, fearing their own afflictions; and they prepared to die, and cried to God:

GreekΚαὶ ἐταράχθη πᾶν ἔθνος δίκαιον φοβούμενοι τὰ ἑαυτῶν κακὰ, καὶ ἡτοιμάσθησαν ἀπολέσθαι, καὶ ἐβόησαν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν·

Thomson—

Brentonand from their cry there came as it were a great river from a little fountain, even much water.

Greekἀπὸ δὲ τῆς βοῆς αὐτῶν ἐγένετο ὡσανεὶ ἀπὸ μικρᾶς πηγῆς ποταμὸς μέγας, ὕδωρ πολύ.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd light and the sun arose, and the lowly were exalted, and devoured the honourable.

GreekΚαὶ φῶς και ὁ ἥλιος ἀνέτειλε, καὶ οἱ ταπεινοὶ ὑψώθησαν, καὶ κατέφαγον τοὺς ἐνδόξους.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd Mardochæus who had seen this vision and what God designed to do, having awoke, kept it in his heart, and desired by all means to interpret it, even till night.

Greek“Καὶ διεγερθεὶς Μαρδοχαῖος ὁ ἑωρακὼς τὸ ἐνύπνιον τοῦτο, καὶ τί ὁ Θεὸς βεβούλευται ποιῆσαι, εἶχεν αὐτὸ ἐν τῇ καρδία, καὶ ἐν παντὶ λόγῳ ἤθελεν ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτὸ ἕως τῆς νυκτός.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd Mardochæus rested quiet in the palace with Gabatha and Tharrha the king's two chamberlains, eunuchs who guarded the palace.

GreekΚαὶ ἡσύχασε Μαρδοχαῖος ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ. μετὰ Γαβαθὰ καὶ Θάῤῥα τῶν δύο εὐνούχων τοῦ βασιλέως, τῶν φυλασσόντων τὴν αὐλήν.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd he heard their reasonings and searched out their plans, and learnt that they were preparing to lay hands on king Artaxerxes: and he informed the king concerning them.

GreekἬκουσέ τε αὐτῶν τοὺς λογισμοὺς, καὶ τὰς μερίμνας αὐτῶν ἐξηρεύνησεν· καὶ ἔμαθεν, ὅτι ἑτοιμάζουσι τὰς χεῖρας ἐπιβαλεῖν Ἀρταξέρξῃ τῷ βασιλεῖ· καὶ ὑπέδειξε τῷ βασιλεῖ περὶ αὐτῶ.

ThomsonAnd when Mordecai, who had seen this dream, and what God had purposed to do, had arisen from sleep, he bore this dream in mind, and, until nightfall, tried all means in his desire to know what it meant. And Mordecai went to rest in the palace with Gabatha and Tharrha, the two eunuchs of the king, and palace guards, and he heard their plotting and searched out their conspiracy, and learned that they were about to lay violent hands on king Artaxerxes; and so he told the king about them. Then the king examined the two eunuchs, and they confessed and they were condemned. And the king made a written memorial of these matters, and Mordecai also recorded them. So the king commanded Mordecai to attend at court and rewarded him for this [loyalty].

BrentonAnd the king examined the two chamberlains, and they confessed, and were executed.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξήτασεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοὺς δύο εὐνούχους, καὶ ὁμολογήσαντες σαντες ἀπήχθησαν.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd the king wrote these things for a memorial; also Mardochæus wrote concerning these matters.

GreekΚαὶ ἔγραψεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοὺς λόγους τούτους εἰς μνημόσυνον, καὶ Μαρδοχαῖος ἔγραψε περὶ τῶν λόγων τούτων.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd the king commanded Mardochæus to attend in the palace, and gave him gifts for this service.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέταξεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Μαρδοχαίῳ θεραπεύειν ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ, καὶ ἔδωκεων αὐτῷ δόματα περὶ τούτων.

ThomsonHowever, Haman,† the son of Amadathes the Bougian, who was in honor with the king, sought to do harm to Mordecai and his people because of [how Mordecai had discovered] the two eunuchs of the king.

BrentonAnd Aman the son of Amadathes the Bugæan was honourable in the sight of the king, and he endeavoured to hurt Mardochæus and his people, because of the two chamberlains of the king.]

GreekΚαὶ ἦν Ἀμὰν Ἀμαδάθου Βουγαῖος ἔνδοξος ἐνώπιον τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἐζήτησε κακποιῆσαι τὸν Μαρδοχαῖον καὶ τον λαὸν αὐτοῦ, ὑπὲρ τῶν δύο εὐνούχων τοῦ βασιλέως.”

ThomsonAfter these things, in the days of Artaxerxes the same who reigned from India, over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces,

BrentonAnd it came to pass after these things in the days of Artaxerxes,—(this Artaxerxes ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India)—

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Ἀρταξέρξου· οὗτος ὁ Ἀρταξέρξης ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰνδικῆς ἑκατὸν εἰκοσιεπτὰ χωρῶν ἐκράτησεν·

Thomsonwhen Artaxerxes was settled on his throne in the city Susoi,

Brentonin those days, when king Artaxerxes was on the throne in the city of Susa,

GreekἘν αὐταῖς ταῖς ἡμέραις ὅτε ἐθρονίσθη βασιλεὺς Ἀρταξέρξης ἐν Σούσοις τῇ πόλει,

Thomsonin the third year of his reign, he made an entertainment for his friends, both for other nations, and for the nobles of the Persians and Medes, and for the governors.

Brentonin the third year of his reign, he made a feast to his friends, and the other nations, and to the nobles of the Persians and Medes, and the chief of the satraps.

Greekἐν τῷ τρίτῳ ἔτει βασιλεύοντος αὐτοῦ, δοχὴν ἐποίησε τοῖς φίλοις καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ τοῖς Περσῶν καὶ Μήδων ἐνδόξοις, καὶ τοῖς ἄρχουσι τῶν σατραπῶν.

ThomsonAnd having after this displayed to them the riches of his kingdom, and the transporting glory of his riches, for a hundred and eighty days,

BrentonAnd after this, after he had shewn to them the wealth of his kingdom, and the abundant glory of his wealth during a hundred and eighty days,

GreekΚαὶ μετὰ ταῦτα μετὰ τὸ δεῖξαι αὐτοῖς τὸν πλοῦτον τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὴν δόξαν τῆς εὐφροσύνης τοῦ πλούτου αὐτοῦ ἐν ἡμέραις ἑκατὸν ὀγδοήκοντα.

Thomsonwhen the days of his marriage were fulfilled, the king made an entertainment for all the nations who were in the city, for six days, in the court of the royal palace,

Brentonwhen, I say, the days of the marriage feast were completed, the king made a banquet to the nations who were present in the city six days, in the court of the king's house,

GreekὍτε δὲ ἀνεπληρώθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ γάμου, ἐποίησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πότον τοῖς ἔθνεσι τοῖς εὑρεθεῖσιν εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἐπὶ ἡμέρας ἓξ, ἐν αὐλῇ οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως

Thomsonwhich was adorned with painted hangings of cotton, extended with cords of cotton, and purple yarn, to capitals of gold and silver, on pillars of Parian marble and alabaster. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of smaragdine, pinine, and parian stone; and their covers were of gauze, painted with a variety of flowers; and roses were scattered all around.

Brentonwhich was adorned with hangings of fine linen and flax on cords of fine linen and purple, fastened to golden and silver studs, on pillars of Parian marble and stone: there were golden and silver couches on a pavement of emerald stone, and of pearl, and of Parian stone, and open-worked coverings variously flowered, having roses worked round about;

Greekκεκοσμημένῃ βυσσίνοις καὶ καρπασίνοις τεταμένοις ἐπὶ σχοινίοις βυσσίνοις καὶ πορφυροῖς, ἐπὶ κύβοις χρυσοῖς καὶ ἀργυροῖς, ἐπὶ στύλοις Παρίνοις καὶ λιθίνοις· κλίναι χρυσαῖ καὶ ἀργυραῖ ἐπὶ λιθοστρώτου σμαραγδίτου λίθου, καὶ πιννίνου, καὶ Παρίνου λίθου· καὶ στρωμναὶ διαφανεῖς ποικίλως διηνθισμέναι, κύκλῳ ῥόδα πεπασμένα·

ThomsonThe goblets of gold and silver, with a small carbuncle-bejeweled cup to each, amounted in value to thirty thousand talents. There was wine in abundance and of a sweet quality, such as the king himself drank.

Brentongold and silver cups, and a small cup of carbuncle set out of the value of thirty thousand talents, abundant and sweet wine, which the king himself drank.

GreekΠοτήρια χρυσᾶ καὶ ἀργυρᾶ, καὶ ἀνθράκινον κυλίκιον προκείμενον ἀπὸ ταλάντων τρισμυρίων· οἶνος πολὺς καὶ ἡδὺς, ὃν αὐτὸς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἔπινεν.

ThomsonNow this entertainment was not according to an established custom; but the king would have it so, and he commanded the stewards to comply with his pleasure, and that of the guests.

BrentonAnd this banquet was not according to the appointed law; but so the king would have it: and he charged the stewards to perform his will and that of the company.

GreekὉ δὲ πότος οὗτος οὐ κατὰ προκείμενον νόμον ἐγένετο· οὕτως δὲ ἠθέλησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς, καὶ ἐπέταξε τοῖς οἰκονόμοις ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

ThomsonAstin the queen also made an entertainment for the women in the royal palace, where king Artaxerxes was.

BrentonAlso Astin the queen made a banquet for the women in the palace where king Artaxerxes dwelt.

GreekΚαὶ Ἀστὶν ἡ βασίλισσα ἐποίησε πότον ταῖς γυναιξὶν ἐν τοῖς βασιλείοις, ὅπου ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἀρταξέρξης.

ThomsonAnd on the seventh day, the king, in high good humour, ordered Aman and Basan and Tharra and Barazi and Zatholtha and Abataza and Tharaba, the seven chamberlains who waited on king Artaxerxes,

BrentonNow on the seventh day the king, being merry, told Aman, and Bazan, and Tharrha, and Barazi, and Zatholtha, and Abataza, and Tharaba, the seven chamberlains, servants of king Artaxerxes,

GreekἘν δὲ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἡδέως γενόμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς, εἶπε τῷ Ἀμὰν, καὶ Βαζὰν, καὶ Θάῤῥα, καὶ Βωραζὶ, καὶ Ζαθολθὰ, καὶ Ἀβαταζὰ, καὶ Θαραβά, τοῖς ἑπτὰ εὐνούχοις τοῖς διακόνοις τοῦ βασιλέως Ἀρταξέρξου,

Thomsonto bring the queen to him to proclaim her queen, and crown her with a diadem, and shew her to the chiefs, and her beauty to the nations; for she was beautiful.

Brentonto bring in the queen to him, to enthrone her, and crown her with the diadem, and to shew her to the princes, and her beauty to the nations: for she was beautiful.

Greekεἰσαγαγεῖν τὴν βασίλισσαν πρὸς αὐτὸν, βασιλεύειν αὐτὴν, καὶ περιθεῖναι αὐτῇ τὸ διάδημα, καὶ δεῖξαι αὐτὴν τοῖς ἄρχουσι, καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσι τὸ κάλλος αὐτῆς, ὅτι καλὴ ἦν.

ThomsonBut queen Astin hearkened not to him to come with the chamberlain, at which the king was greatly offended and inflamed with anger

BrentonBut queen Astin hearkened not to him to come with the chamberlains: so the king was grieved and angered.

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ εἰσήκουσεν αὐτοῦ Ἀστὶν ἡ βασίλισσα ἐλθεῖν μετὰ τῶν εὐνούχων· καὶ ἐλυπήθη ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ ὠργίσθη,

Thomsonand he said to his friends, Astin hath spoken so and so; do you therefore execute law and judgment, touching this matter.

BrentonAnd he said to his friends, Thus has Astin spoken: pronounce therefore upon this case law and judgment.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε τοῖς φίλοις αὐτοῦ, κατὰ ταῦτα ἐλάλησεν Ἀστίν, ποιήσατε οὖν περὶ τούτου νόμον καὶ κρίσιν.

ThomsonThereupon there came before him, Arkesaius and Sarsathaius and Malisear the chiefs of the Persians and Medes, who were near the king, and had the first seats next him;

BrentonSo Arkesæus, and Sarsathæus, and Malisear, the princes of the Persians and Medes, who were near the king, who sat chief in rank by the king, drew near to him,

GreekΚαὶ προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ Ἀρκεσαῖος, καὶ Σαρσαθαῖος, καὶ Μαλισεὰρ, οἱ ἄρχοντες Περσῶν καὶ Μήδων, οἱ ἐγγὺς τοῦ βασιλέως, οἱ πρῶτοι παρακαθήμενοι τῷ βασιλεῖ,

Thomsonand told him according to the laws what ought to be done to queen Astin, because she had not done what the king had commanded by the chamberlains.

Brentonand reported to him according to the laws how it was proper to do to queen Astin, because she had not done the things commanded of the king by the chamberlains.

Greekκαὶ ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ κατὰ τοὺς νόμους, ὡς δεῖ ποιῆσαι Ἀστὶν τῇ βασιλίσσῃ, ὅτι οὐκ ἐποίησε τὰ ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως προσταχθέντα διὰ τῶν εὐνούχων.

ThomsonAnd Muchaius said to the king and to the chiefs, Queen Astin hath wronged, not the king only, but also all the king’s chiefs and leaders;

BrentonAnd Muchæus said to the king and to the princes, Queen Astin has not wronged the king only, but also all the king's rulers and princes:

Greekκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ Μουχαῖος πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας, οὐ τὸν βασιλέα μόνον ἠδίκησεν Ἀστὶν ἡ βασίλισσα, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἄρχοντας καὶ τοὺς ἡγουμένους τοῦ βασιλέως·

Thomsonfor he hath told them the queen’s conduct and how she hath contradicted the king. Therefore as she hath contradicted the king Artaxerxes, so will the rest of the ladies now,

Brentonfor he has told them the words of the queen, and how she disobeyed the king. As then, said he, she refused to obey king Artaxerxes,

GreekΚαὶ γὰρ διηγήσατο αὐτοῖς τὰ ῥήματα τῆς βασιλίσσης, καὶ ὡς ἀντεῖπε τῷ βασιλεῖ· ὡς οὖν ἀντεῖπε τῷ βασιλεῖ Ἀρταξέρξῃ,

Thomsonthe wives of the Persian and Medean princes, upon hearing what she hath said to the king, presume in like manner to dishonour their husbands.

Brentonso this day shall the other ladies of the chiefs of the Persians and Medes, having heard what she said to the king, dare in the same way to dishonour their husbands.

Greekοὕτω σήμερον αἱ τυραννίδες αἱ λοιπαὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων Περσῶν καὶ Μήδων ἀκούσασαι τὰ τῷ βασιλεῖ λεχθέντα ὑπʼ αὐτῆς, τολμήσουσιν ὁμοίως ἀτιμάσαι τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτῶν.

ThomsonIf therefore it seemeth good to the king, let him pass a royal decree and let it be written according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, and let him not alter it nor suffer the queen any more to approach him; but let the king give her royalty to another woman, better than her.

BrentonIf then it seem good to the king, let him make a royal decree, and let it be written according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, and let him not alter it: and let not the queen come in to him any more; and let the king give her royalty to a woman better than she.

GreekΕἶ οὖν δοκεῖ τῷ βασιλεῖ, προσταξάτω βασιλικὸν, καὶ γραφήτω κατὰ τοὺς νόμους Μήδων καὶ Περσῶν, καὶ μὴ ἄλλως χρησάσθω, μηδὲ εἰσελθάτω ἔτι ἡ βασίλισσα πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτῆς δότω ὁ βασιλεὺς γυναικὶ κρείττονι αὐτῆς.

ThomsonAnd let this edict of the king be proclaimed, which if he cause to be done throughout his kingdom, then will all the women both rich and poor, pay respect to their husbands.

BrentonAnd let the law of the king which he shall have made, be widely proclaimed, in his kingdom: and so shall all the women give honour to their husbands, from the poor even to the rich.

GreekΚαὶ ἀκουσθήτω ὁ νόμος ὁ ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως, ὃν ἐὰν ποιῇ ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ· καὶ οὕτω πᾶσαι αἱ γυναῖκες περιθήσουσι τιμὴν τοῖς ἀνδράσιν ἑαυτῶν, ἀπὸ πτωχοῦ ἕως πλουσίου.

ThomsonAnd the speech pleased the king and the princes; and the king did as Muchaius had spoken,

BrentonAnd the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did as Muchæus had said,

GreekΚαὶ ἤρεσεν ὁ λόγος τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ τοῖς ἄρχουσι· καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καθὰ ἐλάλησεν ὁ Μουχαῖος,

Thomsonand sent the decree throughout the whole kingdom, into every province in the language and writing thereof, that men might be feared by their own families.

Brentonand sent into all his kingdom through the several provinces, according to their language, in order that men might be feared in their own houses.

Greekκαὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν βασιλείαν κατὰ χώραν, κατὰ τὴν λέξιν αὐτῶν, ὥστε εἶναι φόβον αὐτοῖς ἐν ταῖς οἰκίαις αὐτῶν.