Though both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation use a passive verb here, Letters were sent, the Hebrew is literally “And he sent letters.” New American Bible takes Mordecai as the subject of this verb and reads “when Mordecai sent documents concerning peace and security.” Most interpreters, however, understand this verb to be an impersonal verb meaning “and one sent.” Some languages will use the indefinite third person plural pronoun “they.”

The hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus: see 1.1.

Both the meaning of in words of peace and truth and what they refer to is disputed. Though most interpreters understand these letters that were sent in words of peace and truth to be those that Esther wrote in verse 29, some understand these to be the letters that Mordecai wrote (so New American Bible, “when Mordecai sent documents concerning peace and security”). In as found in Revised Standard Version seems to mean “with wishes for” (so Good News Translation and New Revised Standard Version). The Hebrew text, however, includes no preposition. Instead these words seem to be appositional to the first part of the verse, suggesting that the letters were “words of peace and security” (so Chouraqui and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

Less probable is the interpretation that takes words of peace and truth to be the initial formula of greeting with which the letter by Esther and Mordecai began. According to this interpretation the letter began with the words “sincere greetings of peace,” and then a summary of the letter follows in verse 31.

Peace and truth are two important terms in Old Testament thought. The first occurs three times in the book of Esther (2.11, here, and 10.3), the second occurs only here. Both indicate a distinct difference between the situation of the Jews before and after their deliverance. The first word, shalom, is generally translated “peace,” although it has a more comprehensive meaning, “safety, well-being, success, prosperity.” The second, ʾemeth, means “truth, faithfulness, integrity, uprightness.” This is a complete reversal of the Jews’ situation when Haman was seeking to destroy them.

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 .