Ester 1:8

1:8 There were no restrictions on the drinking, ¹  for the king had instructed all of his supervisors ²  that they should do as everyone so desired. ³ 

Ester 3:9

3:9 If the king is so inclined, ⁴  let an edict be issued ⁵  to destroy them. I will pay ten thousand talents of silver ⁶  to be conveyed to the king’s treasuries for the officials who carry out this business.”

Ester 5:8

5:8 If I have found favor in the king’s sight and if the king is inclined ⁷  to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time ⁸  I will do as the king wishes. ⁹ 

[1:8]  ¹ tn Heb “the drinking was according to law; there was no one compelling.”

[1:8]  ² tn Heb “every chief of his house”; KJV “all the officers of his house”; NLT “his staff.”

[1:8]  ³ tn Heb “according to the desire of man and man.”

[3:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “If upon the king it is good”; KJV “If it please the king.”

[3:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “let it be written” (so KJV, ASV); NASB “let it be decreed.”

[3:9]  ⁶ sn The enormity of the monetary sum referred to here can be grasped by comparing this amount (10,000 talents of silver) to the annual income of the empire, which according to Herodotus (Histories 3.95) was 14,500 Euboic talents. In other words Haman is offering the king a bribe equal to two-thirds of the royal income. Doubtless this huge sum of money was to come (in large measure) from the anticipated confiscation of Jewish property and assets once the Jews had been destroyed. That such a large sum of money is mentioned may indicate something of the economic standing of the Jewish population in the empire of King Ahasuerus.

[5:8]  ⁷ tn Heb “if upon the king it is good.” Cf. the similar expression in v. 4, which also occurs in 7:3; 8:5; 9:13.

[5:8]  ⁸ tn Heb “and tomorrow” (so NASB); NAB, NRSV “and then.”

[5:8]  ⁹ tn Heb “I will do according to the word of the king,” i.e., answer the question that he has posed. Cf. NCV “Then I will answer your question about what I want.”