This verse repeats and expands on 3.15a (see comments on 3.15 and on verse 10 above). However, as made clear by the Revised Standard Version translation, this verse emphasizes the speed with which the messengers carried out their task. New International Version translates “The couriers, riding the royal horses, raced out, spurred on….” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says the couriers “went out in all haste, in all speed.” Because of the complexity of the sentence, it may be helpful to restructure as Good News Translation has done.

On Susa the capital see comments on 1.2. The Good News Translation translation as “Susa, the capital city” is misleading, since the acropolis is meant here and not the city itself.

Though “also” is not in the Hebrew text, Good News Translation has added it here for the same reason that the Greek translators did (see Septuagint at ESG 8.38[14]).

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 .