[Today’s English Version C.2; Revised Standard Version 13.9]
The English of Revised Standard Version is a style that is no longer in common use, but it is used here to express humble reverence. Mordecai’s reference to God is translated with the singular second person pronouns, “thou, thee, thy,” with the corresponding verb forms such as “rulest, knowest.” Today’s English Version‘s style is modern but may not be useful for some languages. Appropriate style must be adopted in the receptor language to convey the reverent tone of the prayer.
O Lord, Lord, King: Mordecai addresses his prayer to God, calling “Lord, Lord, King ruling over all.” Like the Greek, the English of Revised Standard Version repeats three vocatives at the beginning of Mordecai’s prayer. The form O that precedes the title Lord is no longer in common use today; it is a vocative marker, that is, it shows that the person is being addressed and calls for that person’s attention. Some languages will have an equivalent emphatic particle, others may have a specific vocative form of the noun. The translator will need to consider how to call upon God in the receptor language and what role the repetition of Lord, Lord should play. For King who rulest over all things, several translations say “King Almighty” (so Bible en français courant, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), while Chouraqui identifies this title with “Sabaoth,” traditionally translated “Lord of Hosts.” Today’s English Version has “King of all creation.”
The universe is in thy power is literally “in your power everything is.” That is, everything is subject to the Lord’s authority. Many languages will not have a single word universe and will prefer to remain close to the original text; for example, “everything is under your power.” Today’s English Version has “everything obeys your commands,” but this changes the emphasis from authority to obedience.
If it is thy will to save Israel: the Greek does not question whether or not it is God’s will to deliver Israel, but says rather “there is not one opposing you in your willing to save Israel” (similarly Bible en français courant, New Jerusalem Bible, “and there is no one who can withstand you in your determination to save Israel”). In some languages it may be necessary to state what it is that God can save Israel from. A prepositional phrase such as “from danger” or “from destruction” may be supplied (see 13.15-16 [C.8-9] below).
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 .