Since Mordecai is not mentioned in verses 3-6 as being present with the queen, it is possible that this scene continues from the scene that began in verse 1 (so Anchor Bible). Or, if verse 3 does begin a new scene, then one must assume that Mordecai entered the throne room with Queen Esther.
King Xerxes begins to speak in verse 7. For translations that use quotation marks, the quotation begins with the word Behold. It is not so clear where the quotation ends. Nearly all translations continue the direct quotation through the end of verse 8. New American Bible and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, however, end the quotation in verse 8 after the words “and seal the letter with the royal signet ring.” The final sentence of verse 8 (“for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked”) in New American Bible and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy is not a part of the quotation of Xerxes, but is rather an editorial comment to the reader of the Book of Esther. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy places this final sentence within parentheses. Though it is true that Esther knew that an edict of the king could not be revoked, and that the king knew that Esther knew it, these words nevertheless should probably be considered part of Xerxes’ words. The author was concerned with developing the narrative plot; and in that regard, Xerxes’ words are addressed more to the reader than to Esther.
The author refers to each of the participants in a formal way, the king and queen by title, and Mordecai by the usual epithet, but the tone of the quotation itself is almost informal. The king’s remarks are prefaced by the emphatic hinneh, Behold. He announces what he has already done by referring to himself in the first person. Possibly his words indicate that he has done enough to help Esther and Mordecai already, but more likely he is reminding them of his goodwill and desire to help them.
On the house of Haman see 8.1.
They have hanged him on the gallows is translated as “he has been impaled on the stake” by New Jerusalem Bible. See comment on 2.23.
Because he would lay hands on … means “he wanted to kill the Jews” or “he wanted to have them killed” (see comments on “lay hands on” in 2.21). In this context some versions use a verb with a more general range of meaning; for instance, “because Haman attacked the Jews” (New International Version), and “because he was endangering the lives of the Jews” (Bible en français courant). Good News Translation restates to say “for his plot against the Jews.” Compare also New Jerusalem Bible‘s “for scheming against the Jews.”
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 .