Chapter Overview
Summary
Esther approaches the king and invites him and Haman to a banquet. The LXX follows the MT closely. Addition D (Esther before the king, 16 verses) replaces or expands 5:1-2 in the LXX with a dramatically elaborate scene of Esther fainting before the king.
Notable Variants
In the MT, Esther simply 'found favor' in the king's sight and he extended the scepter. The LXX/Addition D transforms this into a dramatic scene where Esther faints twice, the king leaps from his throne in alarm, and God changes the king's anger to gentleness. See addition-D.json for the full expanded scene.
Structural Notes
MT has 14 verses. Addition D (16 verses) replaces/expands vv. 1-2 in the LXX.
On the third day, Esther dressed in royal garments and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, facing the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, facing the entrance.
Masoretic (WLC)
וַתַּעֲמֹד בַּחֲצַר
Esther stood in the inner court
Septuagint (LXX)
LXX/Addition D: dramatic expansion with fainting scene
LXX: Esther faints before the king; God changes his heart
The MT's restrained account ('she stood in the inner court... the king held out the golden scepter') is transformed in the LXX into a dramatic scene (Addition D): Esther enters in splendid robes, her face radiant but her heart frozen with fear. She collapses, the king is alarmed and leaps from his throne, and 'God changed the spirit of the king to gentleness.' See addition-D.json for the full 16-verse expansion.
When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor. The king extended the golden scepter in his hand toward Esther. She approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
Masoretic (WLC)
וַיּוֹשֶׁט הַמֶּלֶךְ לְאֶסְתֵּר אֶת־שַׁרְבִיט הַזָּהָב
the king held out the golden scepter to Esther
Septuagint (LXX)
LXX: ἐπέθηκεν τὸ χρυσοῦν σκῆπτρον ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτῆς
LXX: he placed the golden scepter on her neck
The LXX has the king place the scepter on Esther's neck (a gesture of favor) and then embrace her, saying 'Speak to me.' The MT's version is more formal.
The king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom — it will be given to you."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for him."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
The king said, "Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do what Esther has asked." The king and Haman came to the banquet Esther had prepared.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
At the wine banquet the king said to Esther, "What is your petition? It will be granted. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom — it will be done."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
Esther answered, "My petition and my request:
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
If I have found favor in the king's eyes, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request — let the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will answer as the king has asked."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate — and Mordecai neither stood nor so much as flinched before him — Haman was filled with fury toward Mordecai.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
Haman restrained himself, went home, and sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
Haman recounted to them the splendor of his wealth, the number of his sons, everything the king had done to promote him, and how he had elevated him above the other officials and servants of the king.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
Haman added, "What is more, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come with the king to the banquet she prepared. And tomorrow too I am invited by her, along with the king."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
But all of this is worthless to me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.
His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a stake made, seventy-five feet high. In the morning, ask the king to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go to the banquet with the king in good spirits." The idea pleased Haman, and he had the stake constructed.
No significant variant between the LXX and the MT for this verse.