In the Hebrew version the first half of this verse is identical to 3.14, but the second half makes a dramatic shift. In this instance it is not all peoples who are to be ready to kill, but the Jews who are to be ready to protect themselves.
On the word copy see the comment at 3.14. Decree translates the Hebrew dat, the standard term for “law” in the book of Esther (compare Today’s English Version; see comment on 1.8).
By proclamation: see the comments on this same Hebrew term in 3.14.
To all peoples is translated as “to the people of every nationality” in New International Version, and “the people of every nation living in the kingdom” in New Century Version. Today’s English Version simplifies too much by saying “everyone,” and loses some of the emphasis on the diverse nationalities.
The concept of vengeance (to avenge themselves) is sometimes difficult to translate. The basic meaning is to take retribution for a wrong committed, to repay an evil done to someone. In this instance the Jews have enemies who wish to harm them, and in this verse they are told that they can defend themselves when they are attacked. The translator may say “to pay back,” or there may be an appropriate idiom such as “to return hand to their enemies.”
Enemies: for comment on “enemy” see 3.10.
Septuagint 8.13
The Greek adds that the copies of the decree are to be posted conspicuously, that is, “in plain view” (Today’s English Version) or “prominently” (Revised English Bible). Some languages will express this idea like the Greek, “apparent to the eye,” or perhaps “that everyone’s eyes may see.” The Greek says literally in all the kingdom, but Today’s English Version makes the meaning explicit by referring to the provinces that make up the kingdom (see Septuagint 8.9).
The Greek specifies all the Jews are to be ready to fight against, whereas the Hebrew says “the Jews” are to be ready to “take revenge.” The basic meaning of the Greek word translated as enemies here is “those who are set over against” or “opposed to” the Jews (see also Septuagint verse 11 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 .