[Today’s English Version A.12; Revised Standard Version 12.1]
There is no transition marking the discourse shift from Mordecai’s dream in 11.2-12 (A.1-11) to the events of 12.1-6 (A.12-17). The time relationship between this verse and the preceding verses is not clear. Now translates the Greek conjunction kai, “and, but,” which does not specify a lapse of time between Mordecai’s dream and the events of 12.1-6. Some translations suggest that there was an unspecified lapse of time. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, for example, begins with the words “One day Mordecai…,” and Revised English Bible says “Once, while Mordecai….” Other translations continue without beginning a new paragraph here (so La Bible Pléiade), which suggests that the events of 12.1-6 follow immediately after Mordecai’s dream. If the events of 12.1-6 also occurred in the second year of Artaxerxes’ reign (see 11.2 [A.1]), this contradicts the claim in the Hebrew text that this same event occurred in the seventh year of the king’s reign. Nueva Biblia Española places verses 12.1-6 after 2.23 in the Hebrew text. Since the Greek does not suggest any lapse of time, it seems best not to indicate any passing of time between 11.12 and 12.1 (A.11 and A.12). That is, the events of 12.1-2 (A.12-13) seem to take place the next morning, after Mordecai has awakened from his dream, thought about it all day long, and then gone to bed when evening came. In support of this interpretation it may be noted that 11.12 (A.11) ends in Greek with the words “and in every detail [word] he sought to understand it until evening.” Compare Chouraqui: “with all his might, until evening, he sought to understand it. Mordecai slept in the courtyard of the king with Bagathan and Thares.” Translators should use a transitional word or expression that allows the story to move forward without saying exactly when this next event took place; for example, “one day” (Bible en français courant), “then” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), “later,” or “then it happened that….”
Took his rest translates a word that means “to be quiet” or “to be at rest.” The Today’s English Version translation sounds as if Mordecai was temporarily resting in the courtyard. Revised English Bible adds the word “once” at the beginning of this verse, while Bible en français courant says “One day,” thereby marking the beginning of a new episode. However, the meaning may be that this was where Mordecai lodged on a regular basis (so New American Bible: “Mordecai lodged at the court with Bagathan and Thares”; also Biblia Dios Habla Hoy and Nueva Biblia Española).
The courtyard translates a word that may refer to an enclosed space open to the sky, or it may refer to the palace building itself (so New American Bible “the court,” and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “the palace”), as in 12.5 (Addition A.16) (“at court”; see also 11.3 above [A.2]).
Gabatha and Tharra are the names of the two eunuchs in the Greek, whereas according to the Hebrew text their names were Bigthan and Teresh. The Greek omits the eunuchs’ names in 2.21 (see 1.10 for comments on eunuchs). Some translations such as New American Bible, which follows the Hebrew text while inserting the Greek Additions, harmonize the spelling of these names with the Hebrew form. Other translations such as Revised English Bible and Today’s English Version, which translate the Septuagint text of Esther in its entirety, maintain the form of the names in the Greek text.
Who kept watch means that they were regularly on watch, this was their duty (so New Revised Standard Version and La Sainte Bible: La version Etablie par les moines de Maredsous). It does not mean that they happened to be on guard this one time. That Mordecai was with them means only that he was present in the same place. Mordecai was apparently resting while these two men were on guard duty.
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 .