For …: by means of two parallel clauses, verse 4 provides the reason why non-Jews were afraid of Mordecai in verse 3.

In the king’s house: as in 2.13 and 4.13, this means the royal palace (so Good News Translation). That Mordecai was great in the palace means that he had much influence. He was a “big” man or a “heavy” man.

His fame spread: fame is what one hears, one’s reputation or one’s renown, and Mordecai’s renown literally “went” throughout the empire. This is a stronger, more active statement than Good News Translation‘s “It was well-known.”

Only a very literal translation may say the man Mordecai. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible modifies slightly to say “this man, Mordecai.” In Revised Standard Version as in the Hebrew text, this is the second occurrence of Mordecai’s name within a single sentence. It may be more natural to restructure the verse as Good News Translation has done. Instead of saying he grew more and more powerful, it may be necessary to restate and say “he gained more and more power,” or “he continued to find [or, acquire] more power,” or “he went forward and forward in power.” The translation should make clear Mordecai’s progression or advancement in prestige and importance.

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