[Today’s English Version B.3; Revised Standard Version 13.3]

Both Revised Standard Version and Today’s English Version have changed the position of Haman’s name in this verse in order to fit English style. A rather literal translation of the entire verse reads as follows:

When I asked my counselors how this might be accomplished, in sound judgment among us excelling and in good will unchanging and in steadfast faithfulness being proven and the second post of honor having won, Haman….

By withholding Haman’s name until the end, the writer creates suspense. If this rhetorical feature can be preserved in the receptor language with the same meaning, translators should attempt to do so. Compare the following translation of this verse in New Jerusalem Bible (similarly Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Osty-Trinquet):

In consultation with our advisors as to how this aim is to be effected, we have been informed by one of them, eminent among us for prudence and well proved for his unfailing devotion and unshakeable trustworthiness, and in rank second only to our majesty, Haman by name, ….

One way to withhold the name for stylistic purposes is to say “When I asked my counselors how this might be accomplished, one person who excels among us…, the name of that person is Haman.”

My counselors: in 1.3 and 1.13 of the Greek text, as well as in the Hebrew text, the term “friends” is used with the meaning of “advisers.” However, in this context a different word is used that specifically means “those who give advice [or, counsel]” (so Revised Standard Version).

How this might be accomplished: the word this refers to the king’s desires, which were stated in the preceding verse, namely, to establish a peaceful and orderly kingdom.

Haman is described as the one who excels among us in sound judgment, that is, “in moderation, reasonableness, good judgment.” Excels means that he is one of the best, or even the best. The personal pronoun us is either the royal “we” or the first person exclusive pronoun referring to the king and his associates (see discussion of pronoun under verse 1 above).

Is distinguished for means that he is well known for these qualities.

His unchanging good will and steadfast fidelity: these two nouns are not modified in Greek in a way that indicates the beneficiary of Haman’s good will and fidelity. Today’s English Version makes explicit that Haman’s good will (“his concern”) is for the kingdom. His steadfast fidelity (Today’s English Version “unchanging loyalty”) is either to the king himself or to the well-being of the kingdom. Good will may be translated as “good thoughts” or “good intentions,” while fidelity may be rendered as “trustworthiness” or “obedience.”

If reasonableness, good will, and loyalty are the qualities for which Haman is known to the king, they introduce an element of irony in this context.

The second place in the kingdom: the noun rendered place is more accurately translated “post [or, place] of honor.” Compare Revised English Bible: “who has gained the honour of the second place at our court.” Haman had attained a position of authority second only to the king himself (La Sainte Bible: La version Etablie par les moines de Maredsous “who occupies the first place after the king”). See 3.1 and comments.

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 .