[Today’s English Version C.4; Revised Standard Version 13.11]

Lord of all: the Greek word translated of all may be either masculine (all people) or neuter (all things, including people). Verse 13.9 (C.2) states that God is ruler of the universe, but the second half of verse 11 refers to people. Most translations do not specify whether the reference is to people only or to all of creation. If translators must choose between the two, most likely all of creation is intended (so New Jerusalem Bible “the Master of the universe,” and Bible en français courant “the master of every thing”).

In 13.9 (C.2) above there was no one who could “oppose” or have a different opinion against the Lord. Here there is no one who can resist or set himself against the Lord. Today’s English Version avoids repetition by omitting the second reference to the Lord in this verse. However, the repeated mention of the Lord is a feature of Mordecai’s prayer, and an equivalent form should be retained in translation where possible.

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 .