This verse contains so much information that it may be difficult to state it clearly in one sentence (Revised Standard Version) or even in two sentences (Good News Translation). Translators may need to restructure to make several sentences. The verse recounts both what Mordecai did and what he wanted the messenger to tell Esther to do. Revised Standard Version uses implied speech to indicate the series of deeds that the messenger is to perform, while Good News Translation introduces a verb of speaking, “Mordecai asked him.”

In addition to the numerous acts contained in this verse, there are a number of actors or participants. There are three men, Mordecai, Hathach and the king, plus Esther and her people. The antecedents of the pronouns “he” and “him” in this verse may possibly confuse some readers. Good News Translation makes clear that Esther is to make supplication to the king, not to Hathach, and to entreat the king for her people.

A copy: see comments on 3.14.

Issued in Susa: Good News Translation expands the participle into a relative clause, “that had been issued.” It may be necessary to restate this verb in the active voice, specifying the agent of the action; for example, “that the king had sent out from Susa.”

Their destruction: as Good News Translation makes explicit, the destruction of the Jews is meant (see the end of the previous verse).

It may be surprising that Mordecai instructs Hathach “to order” the queen to go to the king. Good News Translation weakens the force of the verb by saying “have her go.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible maintains the idea of the Hebrew by saying that he is to “command” Esther to go, and translators in other languages should use an equally strong verb in their language. In fact, in many cultures it would be Mordecai’s right to send an order to Esther because of his social relationship to her.

Esther is to make supplication and entreat the king. The first verb means “to seek [someone’s] active favor,” by which that person will act on behalf of the person making the request. New International Version renders this “beg for mercy.” The second verb is literally “to seek,” but this verb has a wide range of meanings, depending on the context. Here the sense is “to plead with [someone]” (so New International Version), and the two verbs function as synonyms.

For her people: the meaning is not that Esther is to plead in place of her people, that is, to do what they cannot do for themselves. Rather, as Good News Translation makes clear, the meaning is “beg him to have mercy on her people.” It is also possible to say “entreat [or, plead] on behalf of her people.”

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 .