This verse is marked by a paragraph break in both Revised Standard Version and Today’s English Version. It introduces the series of reports and messages that go back and forth between Mordecai and Esther in this chapter. No indication is given as to the length of time that has passed between verses 1-3 and verse 4. It may be later the same day or it may be several days later. In any case the translator must be careful to link the story line in this verse with Mordecai’s actions in 4.1-2 above, so that Esther’s reaction is to what Mordecai has done, not to what the Jews are doing in verse 3.
Esther’s maids were mentioned earlier in 2.9, when Hegai provided her with seven chosen maids from the palace.
Her eunuchs: on eunuchs see 1.10. After her marriage to King Ahasuerus, the king gave Esther some of his eunuchs to serve her (see 4.5).
The queen was deeply distressed: the Hebrew text, which is reflected by Revised Standard Version, emphasizes that it was the queen who was troubled. The author thus subtly reminds the reader that Esther holds an official position in the kingdom. Esther’s emotions on hearing the news about Mordecai’s actions may be described idiomatically to make it clear that she was “deeply disturbed” (Today’s English Version) or “deeply agitated” (New Jerusalem Bible). Some languages will say “her heart was very troubled”; others may say “her liver was very heavy.”
Septuagint 4.4
The note in New Revised Standard Version mentions the translation “When her” from manuscript evidence, using the pronoun instead of the noun “queen.” However, most translations follow the Septuagint text as given in both the Rahlfs and the Göttingen editions. This reads “and entered the maids and the eunuchs of the queen.” Her name is not included here as it is in the Hebrew. The Greek says literally that the maids and eunuchs “entered” (“came in” Revised English Bible), referring to their entrance into the palace or into her living quarters.
She was deeply troubled: as stated above, this refers to Esther’s emotions, but the Greek repeats the theme of confusion. The same word occurs here to describe Esther’s emotional state as was earlier used to describe the city of Susa when it heard the edict about the destruction of the Jews that was to occur (see comments on 3.15 and on Addition A.4).
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 .