The story continues quickly, and both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation translate the conjunction waw with the adverb Then to show the progression of the action. The king acts to comply with Esther’s wish. He does not reply directly to her, but instead he gives a command that is presumably addressed to his courtiers. The Hebrew does not indicate who is to bring Haman. Good News Translation gives the impression that the king spoke directly to Haman and ordered him to come quickly. More probably the king sent messengers to Haman (see 6.14). Revised English Bible may reflect the correct meaning: “the king gave orders for Haman to be brought with all speed.”

That we may do as Esther desires is literally “to do the word of Esther.” Good News Translation fails to express correctly why the king and Haman went quickly. It was not so that they could “be Esther’s guests.” Rather they went quickly in order to “do Esther’s bidding” (New Jerusalem Bible). Good News Translation changes the focus to the role of the king and Haman as guests, but the Hebrew states their desire to do what Esther had requested. Revised English Bible says “to meet Esther’s wishes.” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says “so that we may obey Esther’s invitation.”

Came to the dinner: the Hebrew verb does not distinguish whether the guests “came to dinner” or “went to dinner” (see comments on 4.2). Some versions use the verb “come” as Revised Standard Version has done. This implies that the reader sees the king and Haman “coming” to Esther’s dinner. Other versions like Good News Translation use the verb “go” to suggest that the reader sees them “going” to her dinner.

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 .