9:29
There are many problems in this verse, and if you compare different English versions you will see that they differ from each other in many ways. These Notes give some of the reasons for the differences.
along with Mordecai the Jew: Some commentators and English versions change the place of this phrase in the verse (see, for example, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible) or omit it altogether (Jerusalem Bible, which follows the LXX). However, it is recommended that you follow the Berean Standard Bible, which is the majority view and the clearest way of understanding the Hebrew text.
with full authority: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates “authority” literally means “strength, power.” Here it is referring to the authority Esther had as queen.
to confirm this second letter: This is a very difficult expression to understand. It seems clear from the context that this second letter refers to the letter Esther (and Mordecai) were now writing. The first letter was, then, the letter Mordecai wrote in 9:20. This is the view of most commentators. It is difficult, however, to understand how a letter can confirm itself. It would make more sense if this letter was written to confirm the letter which Mordecai had written (in 9:20). This is how a number of versions have translated it (Good News Translation, New Century Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures). If a literal translation of this phrase would be difficult to understand in your language, you could follow one of these versions. See, for example, the New Century Version:
they wrote to prove the first letter was true
Purim: See note on 3:7b.
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