Honor or dignity are usually translated as near synonyms, as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation (compare New Jerusalem Bible: “honor or advancement”). These two words may be a hendiadys, that is, the expression of one idea through two separate words (so Anchor Bible: “What great honor was conferred on Mordecai for this?”). Bible en français courant translates “recompense and honor,” but there should probably not be a suggestion of reward to a higher position in the government, since Mordecai will return to his same post (verse 12 below).

In translating this verse, attention must be paid to the relationship between question and answer. The king asks What honor or dignity…? and the answer is given, Nothing, literally, “Not a word [or, thing].” By restating the question as “How have we…?” Good News Translation changes the emphasis.

The king’s servants who attended him may seem to be redundant (compare Good News Translation), but this phrase indicates his personal servants, specifically “those who were serving him” (Segond) or “those who were in attendance on him” (New Jerusalem Bible).

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 .