[Today’s English Version A.13; Revised Standard Version 12.2]

Mordecai unintentionally overheard their planning, but he made an effort to search out or understand their thoughts, and he learned their intentions. The verb translated inquired is better understood as “searched” or “examined.”

Lay hands upon: see comments on 2.21.

According to both the Hebrew text and the Greek text in 2.22, Mordecai reported the plot to Esther, and she informed the king. According to 12.2 (A.13) in the Greek text, Mordecai himself informed the king concerning them, that is, about the two eunuchs. Today’s English Version makes it explicit that he reported their “plot.”

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