3:12a

royal scribes: These were men whose job was to write the letters and documents the king told them to write.

3:12b

satraps: This is another word for government officials.

officials: This is the same word as 1:3a, but here it is best translated as “leaders” or “chiefs.”

3:12c

script: See note on 1:22b.

3:12d

in the name of King Xerxes: This means that they wrote the letters with the king’s full authority.

3:12e

sealed with the royal signet ring: When people finished writing a document, they then rolled it up and covered the end of the paper with wax. The king then stamped it with his seal, that is, he pressed the wax with the special ring on one of his fingers. This made a design on the wax and showed that the letter was authorized by the king.

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