A duplicate version of the incident recounted here in 2.21-23 occurs with some differences in the Septuagint at the beginning of the book of Esther (Addition A).

In those days refers to the time setting described in verse 19. Some languages will need to make the opening clause less ambiguous, perhaps using an expression similar to Today’s English Version, “At the time that…,” or simply “When….”

Regarding the meaning and translation of sitting at the king’s gate, see comments on verse 19.

Bigthan and Teresh are mentioned again in 6.2.

On eunuchs see 1.10. These two eunuchs guarded the threshold, that is, they guarded the entrance to the king’s private living quarters in the palace. Bible en français courant and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente say that they guarded the entrance to “the royal apartments.” An equivalent expression may be “the sleeping place of the king.” The Greek states why the two guards became angry, but since the Hebrew does not, translators should not attempt to provide a reason here.

The words “to lay hands on someone” mean in this context “to kill someone” (see 3.6; Gen 37.22). Today’s English Version and New Revised Standard Version both say “to assassinate,” a technical term referring to premeditated murder, usually of an important person. An idiom equivalent to “lay hands on” may be used, or the intent to kill the king may be stated explicitly.

Septuagint 2.21

The Septuagint says, “Two of the king’s eunuchs, officers of the bodyguard, were offended at the advancement of Mardochaeus and plotted to murder King Artaxerxes” (Revised English Bible). New Revised Standard Version says only the king’s eunuchs, though the Septuagint states that there were two. The Greek identifies the eunuchs as chief bodyguards. Unlike the Hebrew, the Greek tells why the two eunuchs were angry: because of Mordecai’s advancement. This may be restated as “they were angry because the king had moved Mordecai to a more important position.”

They plotted is from the verb “to seek, to look for, to deliberate.” The two eunuchs were seeking a way or making a plan to kill the king.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Noss, Philip A. A Handbook on the Book of Esther — Deuterocanon: The Greek Text. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .