[Today’s English Version C.28; Revised Standard Version 14.17]

Esther talks about herself in the third person as thy servant. In some languages this will be unnatural and may be understood as referring to someone other than Esther. Today’s English Version uses the first person singular “I.” Use of the first person singular, however, loses the element of respectful speech expressed by the indirect third person pronoun in many languages. New American Bible attempts to clarify that it is Esther who speaks, while also retaining the element of respect: “I, your handmaid” (so also Revised English Bible “I, your servant”).

Not eaten at Haman’s table: where tables are unknown or are not used for eating on, it may be necessary to restate; for example, “I have not eaten together with Haman” or “I have not eaten at Haman’s eating place.” In this context Esther is not only saying that she has avoided sharing a meal with Haman, but she is indicating that she has avoided eating nonkosher, unclean food such as the Gentile king and his officials ate (see Dan 1.8).

I have not honored the king’s feast means that Esther has not attended the king’s banquets. Not to attend was no doubt seen as a sign of disrespect or dishonor to the king (see 1.10-12).

The wine of the libations means the wine that was poured out in honor of the pagan gods that the king worshiped (so Today’s English Version “wine dedicated to his gods”). In some cultures where sacrifice is known, a general term for libation may be used, providing it is not too culturally specific. In other cultures it may be helpful to use a descriptive phrase; for example, “wine for worshiping his gods” or “wine used for pouring to his gods.” For wine see comments on 1.8.

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 .