v. 1, 2 of the canonical Esther, which verses are omitted in the

Septuagint; it recounts in detail Esther’s appearance before the king for the purpose of inviting him to the banquet as mentioned in v. 3 ff. of the canonical book. The object of this addition is similar to that of the preceding; it is to show that the success of Esther’s interview with the king was due to “the all-seeing God and Saviour,” upon Whom she called before setting forth.

(5) This addition (xvi. 1-24 in the English Apocrypha) comes after