^2:21In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan³⁹ and Teresh,⁴⁰ two of the king’s eunuchs who protected the entrance,⁴¹ became angry and plotted to assassinate⁴² King Ahasuerus. ^2:22When Mordecai learned of the conspiracy,⁴³ he informed Queen Esther,⁴⁴ and Esther told the king in Mordecai’s behalf.⁴⁵

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Footnotes

39 This individual is referred to as “Bigthana,” a variant spelling of the name, in Esth 6:2.
40 The does not include the names “Bigthan and Teresh” here.
41 Heb “guarders of the threshold”; “who guarded the doorway.”
42 Heb “sought to send a hand against”; “decided to kill.”
43 The text of Esther does not disclose exactly how Mordecai learned about the plot against the king’s life. Ancient Jewish traditions state that Mordecai overheard conspiratorial conversation, or that an informant brought this information to him, or that it came to him as a result of divine prompting. These conjectures are all without adequate support from the biblical text. The author simply does not tell the source of Mordecai’s insight into this momentous event.
44 The simply reads “Esther” and does not include “the queen.”
45 The adds here “the things concerning the plot.” Heb “in the name of Mordecai” (so ); “giving credit to Mordecai.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, became infuriated and planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther, and she told the king on Mordecai’s behalf.

NLTNew Living Translation

One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthana and Teresh—who were guards at the door of the king’s private quarters—became angry at King Xerxes and plotted to assassinate him. But Mordecai heard about the plot and gave the information to Queen Esther. She then told the king about it and gave Mordecai credit for the report.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

In those days Mordecai was sitting at the gate of the king. Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs from the keepers of the threshold, became angry and they conspired to assassinate King Ahasuerus. And the matter became known to Mordecai and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told it to the king in the name of Mordecai.

KJV 1900King James Version

In 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. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.

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