[Today’s English Version E.16; Revised Standard Version 16.16]

Sons in its basic meaning is “male human offspring,” but in this context it refers to a close relationship between God and the people he has created to serve him; so it generally means “followers, believers.” Today’s English Version therefore makes explicit that “they worship.” In most translations the biblical image of sons is retained, except that where the specification of “male offspring” has special cultural connotations, the general term “children” may be used (so Bible en français courant).

The God of the Jews is described by two superlatives and one participle. He is the Most High and the most mighty and the living God. He is the “highest,” the “supreme” (Chouraqui), “the one who is above all other gods” (compare Dan 3.26). He is the “most powerful,” the “mightiest” or “the one who is greater than all other gods.” He is also the living God. God is frequently called “the living God” in the Old Testament (Deut 5.26; Josh 3.10; 1 Sam 17.26, 36; Dan 6.20). He is one who lives and acts on behalf of his people. The expression living God stands in sharp contrast with the gods of the nations surrounding Israel, many of whom were described in their myths as dying or being killed. Although to some cultures it seems contradictory to speak about a “living God” (for how can a god be dead?), this is an important Old Testament theme, and it must be clearly expressed. He is the God “who is living, who is alive.” In some cultures it will not be acceptable to state this concept in a negative form such as “he is the God who is not dead” since, in the thought of these belief systems, it is not possible even to introduce the thought that a god could die.

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 .