Font Size
Esther 2:19-21
New Catholic Bible
Esther 2:19-21
New Catholic Bible
19 [Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy.[a] To resume: When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, 20 and Esther had still not revealed her family or nationality just as Mordecai had instructed her. For she was still following his advice as she had done when he was bringing her up.
21 During the time Mordecai spent at the king’s gate,[b] Bagathan and Thares, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, became angry and plotted to kill King Ahasuerus.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Esther 2:19 This is the Hebrew account of the plot already related in the Greek text (A:12-17). Although the text is corrupt, one thing is clear. After the distractions of the harem, the author wants to remind his readers of the main elements of the story up to this point: Mordecai’s position, Esther’s hidden nationality, Mordecai’s unrewarded service, and the record of this in the royal annals.
- Esther 2:21 King’s gate: either an edifice (see Est 4:2-6; 5:8; 6:12) or determinate services of the court (see v. 9; 6:10). Excavations at Susa have unearthed rooms on both sides of the grandiose entrance to the royal palace. Hence, Mordecai can be thought to have been exercising watchful care over Esther or rendering royal service (see A:2).
