This came to the knowledge of Mordecai: this that came to the knowledge of Mordecai was literally the davar “the word,” “the affair,” or “the plot” (New American Bible) against the king. The implication that Mordecai happened to learn of the plot may be conveyed by an idiom such as “the news of the plot fell upon [or, into] Mordecai’s ears.”

Queen Esther: the Hebrew text says “Esther the queen.” This is the pattern of the epithet also in 5.3, though there both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation say “Queen Esther,” which is the normal word order in English style (see comments on the same expression applied to Vashti in 1.9).

In the name of Mordecai: to speak or act in someone’s name was to represent that person and to participate in that person’s authority (see 3.12; 8.8, 10). Good News Translation says simply that Esther “told the king what Mordecai had found out.” But Good News Translation lacks the idea that Esther told the king “for Mordecai” (New American Bible) or “on behalf of Mordecai” (Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible says “on Mordecai’s authority,” and New International Version says “giving credit to Mordecai.” “On behalf of Mordecai” or “in the place of Mordecai” should be made clear in the translation.

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