This verse continues the direct quotation from the previous verse, within which it includes another quotation. This second quotation is the statement that the husbands will make when they hear what Queen Vashti has done. Both Revised Standard Version and Today’s English Version have an ambiguous they as speakers of the quotation. The Hebrew is clearly masculine, and the translation should make clear that it is the husbands who are reporting what Vashti has done. Some languages may prefer to use indirect quotation within direct quotation, but the dramatic impact of direct speech should be maintained at both levels, if possible.
Note how New American Bible does not clearly state that these are the husbands’ words, but this seems to be implied in the words “when it is reported.” New American Bible says “and they will look with disdain upon their husbands when it is reported, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded that Queen Vashti be ushered into his presence, but she would not come.’ ”
Though the writer does not state the comparison explicitly, the meaning is that, just as Queen Vashti did not obey the king, now women in the Persian Empire will say to their own husbands that they likewise will not obey their husbands.
Husbands translates the Hebrew word that is often translated as “owner” or “master,” and this word fits the context well here. However, in translation the equivalent of “husband” should be retained.
Septuagint 1.17
The first part of verse 17 is an explanatory comment inserted among Muchaeus’ words in the Greek. New Revised Standard Version therefore presents this comment within parentheses.
For he had reported: according to New Revised Standard Version, the subject of the verb is Muchaeus, who began speaking in verse 16. Some translations make the king the subject of this verb (Today’s English Version [see verse 16], Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Either interpretation fits the context equally well. If translators choose the king as the subject, it may be better to use a pluperfect verb, saying that “the king had told” (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) rather than “the king told” (see 1.13).
The remainder of the verse continues the advice of Muchaeus: And just as she defied King Artaxerxes (New Revised Standard Version). The word defied translates a Greek verb that may be translated more literally as “to speak against.” However, the account of the story makes it clear that the queen did not speak against the king in the sense of accusing him or even of insulting him. Instead she showed “disrespect” (Today’s English Version) by not being obedient to his command (see 1.12). The end of verse 17 forms the beginning of verse 18 in Revised English Bible.
Today’s English Version restructures by moving the parenthetical comment to verse 16, and by joining verses 17 and 18 to maintain chronological sequence in the narration. This simplifies and enhances the flow of the story line, although the result may border on paraphrase.
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 .