[Today’s English Version C.29; Revised Standard Version 14.18]

Thy servant has had no joy: on Thy servant see the comments on the preceding verse. It may be necessary to adapt the idiom according to the expression of the receptor language. “I have not been happy,” “I have not known happiness,” “My heart has known no joy,” or “I have not found good liver” are various possibilities.

Since the day that I was brought here: literally “from day of my changing.” The Greek noun “changing” has a wide range of uses. Here the sense seems to be either (1) change of location (Revised Standard Version, Today’s English Version) or (2) change of situation or condition (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente “Since my position has changed,” and Revised English Bible “From the day of my preferment” [advancement or promotion]). Following her comments in verses 16-17 (C.27-28), it seems more likely that Esther is referring to the time since she became queen rather than the time since she was brought to Susa.

Except in thee: Esther’s only source of joy since she was brought to the palace has been the Lord God of Abraham (see comments, 13.15-16 [C.8-9]). For in thee some translations say “near to you” or “in your presence” (so Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), while Today’s English Version interprets it to mean in Esther’s worshiping the Lord God of Abraham.

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 .