On the seventh day refers, not to the Sabbath, but to the seventh day of the king’s banquet (compare Today’s English Version, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Bible en français courant).
The heart of the king was merry with wine is a euphemism for saying that the king had become slightly drunk. An equivalent idiom may be used in translation, but the translator should be careful not to suggest that the king was disgustingly drunk.
Eunuchs were castrated men and were commonly used in the Persian period both domestically and politically in the service of the king. These seven eunuchs served as chamberlains, that is, as “personal servants” (Today’s English Version). The Hebrew is literally “the seven eunuchs who served in the face of King Ahasuerus,” that is to say, “in his presence” (see comments on “being before him” in 1.3). Of the seven eunuchs mentioned here, only Harbona is mentioned again (see 7.9). All seven names are Persian names whose meanings are uncertain.
The term “eunuch” is sometimes a taboo word. It may have a very negative connotation, or the practice may be completely unknown. It may then be necessary either to find an appropriate euphemism or to use a descriptive phrase. The significance of the term in this context is not, however, that these were emasculated men, but that they were important officials in the royal court.
Septuagint 1.10
Was in good humor renders a phrase meaning “to become merry.” Unlike the Hebrew, the Septuagint does not mention wine. The intended sense of the Septuagint is probably the same as the Hebrew, but it will be better not to be more precise than the Septuagint. Translators should not use a term or expression here that directly suggests that he was merry from drinking too much wine. It will be appropriate, however, to use a term or expression that allows the double meaning “happy” and “drunk,” if such a word exists in the receptor language.
The names of the seven eunuchs in Greek are different from the Hebrew names. Haman is included as one of the seven eunuchs. However, it seems unlikely that this is the same Haman who later plots to kill Mordecai, since that Haman is married and has ten sons.
By supplying a verb, “called in,” in this verse, Today’s English Version makes it a complete sentence. The verb “say, tell, order” is then used in the next verse to introduce the king’s command.
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 .