[Today’s English Version F.8; Revised Standard Version 10.11]

As in the previous verse, the lots refer to the two destinies, that of the Jewish people and that of all other peoples. They are placed here within the framework of time, hour, moment, and day, again consistent with one of the author’s themes in the book of Esther. Similarly to Today’s English Version, Revised English Bible says “then came the hour and the time for these two lots to be cast.” Other translations follow the past tense of the Greek verb came and interpret this verse to be recounting what took place: “And these two destinies were accomplished at the hour, the time, and the day” (Bible en français courant, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Chouraqui, La Sainte Bible: La version Etablie par les moines de Maredsous).

Day of decision before God and among all the nations is a literal translation of the Greek. It is the time when God will act or did act on behalf of his people. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says “at the hour, at the time, and at the day of the judgment before God and for all the pagans.” Bible en français courant translates “when God had decided to judge all the nations.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Noss, Philip A. A Handbook on the Book of Esther — Deuterocanon: The Greek Text. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .