[Today’s English Version D.9; Revised Standard Version 15.9]

Esther has gone unbidden to the royal court, but the king now addresses her by name, and what he says to her is quoted in direct quotation form. “What is it, Esther?” he asks. This is not a harsh, demanding question but a gentle inquiry, as is made clear by the words that follow.

I am your brother: the Greek says literally brother, but many translations say “husband” (Today’s English Version, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). In Egypt blood brothers and sisters sometimes married (see also Tobit 7.11-12), and the king and Esther are indeed husband and wife. In the Song of Songs the lovers refer to each other as sister and brother (Song 4.9; 8.1). In the context of the king’s next words and actions, the use of the expression here seems to indicate intimate feelings and the desire to be protective. It is not to be understood literally. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente expresses clearly the aspect of intimate feelings: “I will always be in love with you.” Bible en français courant portrays the desire to protect: “I am here to protect you.” If the translator translates literally “I am your brother,” it will be necessary to give an explanation of the meaning in a footnote. If another term is used in translation, for example, “I am your husband,” a footnote giving the literal translation may be useful.

Take courage is a command directly relating to Esther’s emotions of fear. Restating it, it may be said “Do not be afraid” (so Bible en français courant).

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 .