Esther Becomes Queen
Esther 2
The king's officers gather young women from every province to be considered as a new queen, and among them is Esther, the orphaned cousin of Mardochaeus, whom he has raised as his own daughter and instructed to conceal her Jewish family. Esther pleases the king above all the others and is crowned queen, and soon afterward Mardochaeus discovers a plot by two chamberlains against the king's life, which Esther reports on his behalf.
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
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAFTER this when the king’s wrath was appeased and he no more remembered Astin, nor made any mention of what she had spoken, and how he had condemned her;
BrentonAnd after this the king's anger was pacified, and he no more mentioned Astin, bearing in mind what she had said, and how he had condemned her.
GreekΚαὶ μετὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους ἐκόπασεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ θυμοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔτι ἐμνήσθη τῆς Ἀστίν, μνημονεύων οἷα ἐλάλησε, καὶ ὡς κατέκρινεν αὐτήν.
KJV—
JPS—
2
Thomsonthe king’s servants said, Let there be sought for the king a virgin of unblemished chastity, and beautiful;
BrentonThen the servants of the king said, Let there be sought for the king chaste and beautiful young virgins.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ διάκονοι τοῦ βασιλέως, ζητηθήτω τῷ βασιλεῖ κοράσια ἄφθορα καλὰ τῷ εἴδει·
KJVThen said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
JPSThen said the king’s servants that ministered unto him: ‘Let there be sought for the king young virgins fair to look on;
3
Thomsonand let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, and let them select and send to the city of Susa, to the house of the women, virgins remarkable for beauty; and let them be delivered to the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women; and let the things necessary for purification be given them.
BrentonAnd let the king appoint local governors in all the provinces of his kingdom, and let them select fair and chaste young damsels and bring them to the city Susa, into the women's apartment, and let them be consigned to the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women; and let things for purification and other attendance be given to them.
GreekΚαὶ καταστήσει ὁ βασιλεὺς κωμάρχας ἐν πάσαις ταῖς χώραις τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐπιλεξάτωσαν κοράσια παρθενικὰ καλὰ τῷ εἴδει εἰς Σοῦσαν τὴν πόλιν εἰς τὸν γυναικῶνα· καὶ παραδοθήτωσαν τῷ εὐνούχῳ τοῦ βασιλέως τῷ φύλακι τῶν γυναικῶν· καὶ δοθήτω σμῆγμα, καὶ ἡ λοιπὴ ἐπιμέλεια.
KJVAnd let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
JPSand let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the castle, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hegai the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their ointments be given them;
4
ThomsonAnd let the woman who shall please the king be made queen in place of Astin. And the proposal pleased the king, and he did so.
BrentonAnd let the woman who shall please the king be queen instead of Astin. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
GreekΚαὶ ἡ γυνὴ ἣ ἂν ἀρέσῃ τῷ βασιλεῖ, βασιλεύσει ἀντὶ Ἀστίν· καὶ ἤρεσε τῷ βασιλεῖ τὸ πρᾶγμα, καὶ ἐποίησεν οὕτως.
KJVAnd let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
JPSand let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti.’ And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
5
ThomsonNow there was at the city of Susa, a man, a Jew, whose name was Mordecai. He was the son of Jairus, the son of Semeias, the son of Kisaius, of the tribe of Benjamin.
BrentonNow there was a Jew in the city Susa, and his name was Mardochæus, the son of Jairus, the son of Semeias, the son of Cisæus, of the tribe of Benjamin;
GreekΚαὶ ἄνθρωπος ἦν Ἰουδαῖος ἐν Σούσοις τῇ πόλει, καὶ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Μαρδοχαῖος ὁ τοῦ Ἰαΐρου, τοῦ Σεμείου, τοῦ Κισαίου, ἐκ φυλῆς Βενιαμίν,
KJVNow in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
JPSThere was a certain Jew in Shushan the castle, whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair the son of Shimei the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
6
ThomsonHe had been carried away captive from Jerusalem among them whom Nabuchodonosar, king of Babylon, had captivated.
Brentonwho had been brought a prisoner from Jerusalem, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried into captivity.
Greekὃς ἦν αἰχμάλωτος ἐξ Ἱερουσαλὴμ, ἣν ᾐχμαλώτευσε Ναβουχοδονόσορ βασιλεὺς Βαβυλῶνος.
KJVWho had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
JPSwho had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7
ThomsonAnd this man had a foster child, a daughter of Aminadab, his father’s brother; and her name was Esther. On the decease of her parents he educated her to be a wife for himself. But as the girl was beautiful,
BrentonAnd he had a foster-child, daughter of Aminadab his father's brother, and her name was Esther; and when her parents were dead, he brought her up for a wife for himself: and the damsel was beautiful.
GreekΚαὶ ἦν τούτῳ παῖς θρεπτή, θυγάτηρ Ἀμιναδὰβ ἀδελφοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῇ Ἐσθήρ· ἐν δὲ τῷ μεταλλάξαι αὐτῆς τοὺς γονεῖς, ἐπαίδευσεν αὐτὴν ἑαυτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα· καὶ ἦν τὸ κοράσιον καλὸν τῷ εἴδει.
KJVAnd he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
JPSAnd he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was of beautiful form and fair to look on; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
8
Thomsonwhen the decree of the king was published, and many young women were brought to the city Susa and put under the care of Gai, Esther also was brought to Gai the keeper of the women.
BrentonAnd because the king's ordinance was published, many damsels were gathered to the city Susa under the hand of Gai; and Esther was brought to Gai the keeper of the women.
GreekΚαὶ ὅτε ἠκούσθη τὸ τοῦ βασιλέως πρόσταγμα, συνήχθησαν πολλὰ κοράσια εἰς Σοῦσάν τὴν πόλιν ὑπὸ χεῖρα Γαῒ, καὶ ἤχθη Ἐσθὴρ πρὸς Γαῒ τὸν φύλακα τῶν γυναικῶν.
KJVSo it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
JPSSo it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was published, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the castle, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9
ThomsonAnd the young woman pleased him and found favour in his sight, so that he hastened to give her the things for purification and the allotted portion; and seven waiting maids were assigned to her out of the king’s house: and he treated her and her maids courteously in the house of the women.
BrentonAnd the damsel pleased him, and she found favour in his sight; and he hasted to give her the things for purification, and her portion, and the seven maidens appointed her out of the palace: and he treated her and her maidens well in the women's apartment.
GreekΚαὶ ἤρεσεν αὐτῷ τὸ κοράσιον, καὶ εὗρε χάριν ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔσπευσε δοῦναι αὐτῇ τὸ σμῆγμα, καὶ τὴν μερίδα, καὶ τὰ ἑπτὰ κοράσια τὰ ὑποδεδειγμένα αὐτῇ ἐκ βασιλικοῦ· καὶ ἐχρήσατο αὐτῇ καλῶς καὶ ταῖς ἅβραις αὐτῆς ἐν τῷ γυναικῶνι·
KJVAnd the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
JPS—
10
ThomsonNow Esther did not disclose her family, nor her country;
BrentonBut Esther discovered not her family nor her kindred: for Mardochæus had charged her not to tell.
GreekΚαὶ οὐχ ὑπέδειξεν Ἐσθὴρ τὸ γένος αὐτῆς οὐδὲ τὴν πατρίδα· ὁ γὰρ Μαρδοχαῖος ἐνετείλατο αὐτῇ μὴ ἀπαγγεῖλαι.
KJVEsther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
JPSEsther had not made known her people nor her kindred; for Mordecai had charged her that she should not tell it.
11
Thomsonfor Mordecai had charged her not to tell. But Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house to see what would happen to Esther.
BrentonBut Mardochæus used to walk every day by the women's court, to see what would become of Esther.
GreekΚαθʼ ἑκάστην δὲ ἡμέραν περιεπάτει ὁ Μαρδοχαῖος κατὰ τὴν αὐλὴν τὴν γυναικείαν, ἐπισκοπῶν τί Ἐσθὴρ συμβήσεται.
KJVAnd Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
JPSAnd Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her.
12
ThomsonNow the time for every young woman to go to the king was when she had completed twelve months; for thus were the days of their purification fulfilled. Six months they were anointed with oil of myrrh, and six months with aromatics and lotions used by women.
BrentonNow this was the time for a virgin to go in to the king, when she should have fulfilled twelve months; for so are the days of purification fulfilled, six months while they are anointing themselves with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices and women's purifications.
GreekΟὗτος δὲ ἦν καιρὸς κορασίου εἰσελθεῖν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, ὅταν ἀναπληρώσῃ μῆνας δεκαδύο· οὕτως γὰρ ἀναπληροῦνται αἱ ἡμέραι τῆς θεραπείας, μῆνας ἓξ ἀλειφομέναις ἐν σμυρνίνῳ ἐλαίῳ, καὶ μῆνας ἓξ ἐν τοῖς ἀρώμασι καὶ ἐν τοῖς σμήγμασι τῶν γυναικῶν,
KJVNow when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
JPSNow when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women, twelve months—for so were the days of their anointing accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six month with sweet odours, and with other ointments of the women —
13
ThomsonThen she goeth in to the king. The keeper is to deliver her to whomsoever the king ordereth to go with her from the women’s apartment to the king’s house.
BrentonAnd then the damsel goes in to the king; and the officer to whomsoever he shall give the command, will bring her to come in with him from the women's apartment to the king's chamber.
Greekκαὶ τότε εἰσπορεύεται πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα· καὶ ᾧ ἐὰν εἴπῃ, παραδώσει αὐτὴν συνεισέρχεσθαι αὐτῷ ἀπὸ τοῦ γυναικῶνος ἕως τῶν βασιλείων·
KJV—
JPS—
14
ThomsonIn the evening she goeth in, and in the morning goeth with all speed to the second house of the women, which is under the care of Gai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, and no more cometh to the king unless called for by name.
BrentonShe enters in the evening, and in the morning she departs to the second women's apartment, where Gai the king's chamberlain is keeper of the women: and she goes not in to the king again, unless she should be called by name.
GreekΔείλης εἰσπορεύεται, καὶ πρὸς ἡμέραν ἀποτρέχει εἰς τὸν γυναικῶνα τὸν δεύτερον, οὗ Γαῒ ὁ εὐνοῦχος τοῦ βασιλέως ὁ φύλαξ τῶν γυναικῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἔτι εἰσπορεύεται πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, ἐὰν μὴ κληθῇ ὀνόματι.
KJVIn the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
JPSIn the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, who kept the concubines; she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
15
ThomsonSo when the time was fulfilled for Esther the daughter of Aminadab, Mordecai’s uncle, to go to the king, she neglected nothing which the chamberlain, the keeper of the women, ordered her; for Esther found favour with all who saw her.
BrentonAnd when the time was fulfilled for Esther the daughter of Aminadab the brother of Mardochæus' father to go in to the king, she neglected nothing which the chamberlain, the women's keeper, commanded; for Esther found grace in the sight of all that looked upon her.
GreekἘν δὲ τῷ ἀναπληροῦσθαι τὸν χρόνον Ἐσθὴρ τῆς θυγατρὸς Ἀμιναδὰβ ἀδελφοῦ πατρὸς Μαρδοχαίου εἰσελθεῖν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, οὐδὲν ἠθέτησεν ὧν ἐνετείλατο ὁ εὐνοῦχος ὁ φύλαξ τῶν γυναικῶν· ἦν γὰρ Ἐσθὴρ εὑρίσκουσα χάριν παρὰ πάντων τῶν βλεπόντων αὐτήν.
KJVNow when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
JPSNow when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
16
ThomsonAnd Esther went in to Artaxerxes the king in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, in the seventh year of his reign.
BrentonSo Esther went in to king Artaxerxes in the twelfth month, which is Adar, in the seventh year of his reign.
Greekκαὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ἐσθὴρ πρὸς Ἀρταξέρξην τὸν βασιλέα τῷ δωδεκάτῳ μηνὶ, ὅς ἐστιν Ἀδάρ, τῷ ἑβδόμῳ ἔτει τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ.
KJVSo Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
JPSSo Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17
ThomsonAnd the king was enamoured of Esther, and she found favour above all the virgins, so that he set the queen’s crown on her head
BrentonAnd the king loved Esther, and she found favour beyond all the other virgins: and he put on her the queen's crown.
GreekΚαὶ ἠράσθη ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἐσθὴρ, καὶ εὗρε χάριν παρὰ πάσας τὰς παρθένους, καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτῇ τὸ διάδημα τὸ γυναικεῖον.
KJVAnd the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
JPSAnd the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18
Thomsonand made an entertainment for all his friends and potentates for seven days, and to celebrate the marriage of Esther he made a release to those under his government.
BrentonAnd the king made a banquet for all his friends and great men for seven days, and he highly celebrated the marriage of Esther; and he made a release to those who were under his dominion.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πότον πᾶσι τοῖς φίλοις αὐτοῦ καὶ ταῖς δυνάμεσιν ἐπὶ ἡμέρας ἑπτά, καὶ ὕψωσε τοὺς γάμους Ἐσθήρ, καὶ ἄφεσιν ἐποίησε τοῖς ὑπὸ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ.
KJVThen the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
JPSThen the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the bounty of the king.
19
Thomson—
BrentonBut Mardochæus served in the palace.
GreekὉ δὲ Μαρδοχαῖος ἐθεράπευεν ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ.
KJV—
JPS—
20
Thomsonand Esther had not yet declared her family, for Mordecai having charged her in this manner to fear God and execute his commands as when she was with him, Esther did not alter her conduct.
BrentonNow Esther had not discovered her kindred; for so Mardochæus commanded her, to fear God, and perform his commandments, as when she was with him: and Esther changed not her manner of life.
GreekἩ δὲ Ἐσθὴρ οὐχ ὑπέδειξε τὴν πατρίδα αὐτῆς· οὕτως γὰρ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῇ Μαρδοχαῖος, φοβεῖσθαι τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ποιεῖν τὰ προστάγματα αὐτοῦ, καθὼς ἦν μετʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ Ἐσθὴρ οὐ μετήλλαξε τὴν ἀγωγὴν αὐτῆς.
KJV—
JPS—
21
ThomsonAnd two of the king’s chamberlains, who were captains of his lifeguard, being displeased because Mordecai was promoted, sought to kill king Artaxerxes.
BrentonAnd two chamberlains of the king, the chiefs of the body-guard, were grieved, because Mardochæus was promoted; and they sought to kill king Artaxerxes.
GreekΚαὶ ἐλυπήθησαν οἱ δύο εὐνοῦχοι τοῦ βασιλέως οἱ ἀρχισωματοφύλακες, ὅτι προήχθη Μαρδοχαῖος, καὶ ἐζήτουν ἀποκτεῖναι Ἀρταξέρξην τὸν βασιλέα.
KJVIn those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
JPSin those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those that kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.
22
ThomsonBut the matter being made known to Mordecai, he informed Esther and she disclosed the conspiracy to the king;
BrentonAnd the matter was discovered to Mardochæus, and he made it known to Esther, and she declared to the king the matter of the conspiracy.
GreekΚαὶ ἐδηλώθη Μαρδοχαίῳ ὁ λόγος, καὶ ἐσήμανεν Ἐσθήρ, καὶ αὐτὴ ἐνεφάνησε τῷ βασιλεῖ τὰ τῆς ἐπιβουλῆς.
KJVAnd the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.
JPSAnd the thing became known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther told the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.
23
Thomsonwhereupon the king having examined the chamberlains, caused them to be hanged, and ordered a record to be made in the royal library with an encomium on Mordecai’s fidelity.
BrentonAnd the king examined the two chamberlains, and hanged them: and the king gave orders to make a note for a memorial in the royal records of the good offices of Mardochæus, as a commendation.
GreekὉ δὲ βασιλεὺς ἤτασε τοὺς δύο εὐνούχους, καὶ ἐκρέμασεν αὐτούς· καὶ προσέταξεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καταχωρίσαι εἰς μνημόσυνον ἐν τῇ βασιλικῇ βιβλιοθήκῃ ὑπὲρ τῆς εὐνοίας Μαρδοχαίου, ἐν ἐγκωμίῳ.
KJV—
JPS—