Make haste: the king orders Haman to “hurry” (Today’s English Version; “Quick!” says Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Some versions introduce a verb to which the adverbial notion of speed may be attached, “Go at once” (New International Version, Bible en français courant). The king’s insistence on quick action needs to be prominent in the translation. This wish to have what should be done carried out quickly is consistent with the theme of speed found elsewhere in the book of Esther (compare 3.15; 5.5; 6.14; 8.10).
The robes and the horse: the English definite article “the” makes it clear that the robes and the horse mentioned here are the same ones that Haman spoke of. Other languages may not use a definite article in the same way as English, but they will have their own ways of referring to something that has been previously mentioned.
As you have said: the king makes it very clear that Haman is to follow the instructions that Haman himself gave. Today’s English Version has combined this phrase with the final command that nothing should be left out, but it is preferable to retain the equivalent of as you have said in the main part of the command.
On sits at the king’s gate, see 2.19 and comments. If the interpretation of these words that was suggested at 2.19 is correct, translators may choose to follow the example of Revised English Bible: “and do this for Mordecai the Jew, who is present at court.” The haste with which Haman is to act implies that Mordecai is present at the palace entrance at that very moment (so Today’s English Version). There is clearly irony in the repetition of this information about Mordecai, since it is because of these very things that Haman has come to see the king.
Leave out nothing: the Hebrew text says literally “Do not let fall one davar [word] of all you said” (see comment on davar at 1.12). This use of a negative command may be more emphatic than a positive command like Today’s English Version‘s “Do everything.” New Jerusalem Bible restates the command to say “Omit nothing.” By recording the king’s command that nothing should be left undone, the author subtly reminds the reader of the importance in his story of doing everything according to the law.
That you have mentioned: here the king refers to the contents of verses 8-9 above.
Septuagint 6.10
This verse reads as follows in the Göttingen edition of the Septuagint: “Then the king said to Haman, ‘You have spoken well.’ ” This edition seems to be the basis of the New Revised Standard Version translation of this verse (also Revised English Bible). Rahlfs’ edition follows a different Greek text here and says “As you have spoken” instead of “You have spoken well.” It is not clear which edition Today’s English Version has followed. However, the sense of the verse is basically the same, whichever edition is followed. The words “As you have spoken” certainly imply that Haman has “spoken well.”
Who is on duty: as in the Hebrew, the Greek is ambiguous about whether Mordecai is on duty at this very time (so New Revised Standard Version, Bible en français courant), or whether he is being identified as one who holds an administrative position (so Today’s English Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Since Septuagint verse 12 states that Mordecai returns to the courtyard, the interpretation of New Revised Standard Version is preferable here. The translator may wish to make the same interpretation that is made for the Hebrew version (see comment above).
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 .