In terms of order of events, this verse is quite complex. There are at least four levels of past time. The earliest event referred to is the guarding of the threshold by two of the king’s eunuchs. While they were guards, they plotted to kill the king. Mordecai reported the plot, and this was recorded in writing. That record was now read to the king. The translator needs to find the receptor language’s method of recalling previous events. In some languages it may be necessary to restructure the verse to make the sequence of events clear. However, it should not be necessary to expand or add greatly to the text. The focus in the original text is on the people, Mordecai and Bigthana and Teresh.

It was found written does not mean that they were looking for that information about Mordecai. Rather, in the reading they came to this incident concerning Mordecai. Although it may be understood that he “uncovered” a plot (so Good News Translation; see 2.22), the text here only says that he told about it.

On the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold and to lay hands upon King Ahasuerus, see comments on 2.21.

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 .