Since Mordecai is not mentioned in verses 3-6 as being present with the queen, it is possible that this scene continues from the scene that began in verse 1 (so Anchor Bible). Or, if verse 3 does begin a new scene, then one must assume that Mordecai entered the throne room with Queen Esther.
King Xerxes begins to speak in verse 7. For translations that use quotation marks, the quotation begins with the word Behold. It is not so clear where the quotation ends. Nearly all translations continue the direct quotation through the end of verse 8. New American Bible and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, however, end the quotation in verse 8 after the words “and seal the letter with the royal signet ring.” The final sentence of verse 8 (“for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked”) in New American Bible and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy is not a part of the quotation of Xerxes, but is rather an editorial comment to the reader of the Book of Esther. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy places this final sentence within parentheses. Though it is true that Esther knew that an edict of the king could not be revoked, and that the king knew that Esther knew it, these words nevertheless should probably be considered part of Xerxes’ words. The author was concerned with developing the narrative plot; and in that regard, Xerxes’ words are addressed more to the reader than to Esther.
The author refers to each of the participants in a formal way, the king and queen by title, and Mordecai by the usual epithet, but the tone of the quotation itself is almost informal. The king’s remarks are prefaced by the emphatic hinneh, Behold. He announces what he has already done by referring to himself in the first person. Possibly his words indicate that he has done enough to help Esther and Mordecai already, but more likely he is reminding them of his goodwill and desire to help them.
On the house of Haman see 8.1.
They have hanged him on the gallows is translated as “he has been impaled on the stake” by New Jerusalem Bible. See comment on 2.23.
Because he would lay hands on … means “he wanted to kill the Jews” or “he wanted to have them killed” (see comments on “lay hands on” in 2.21). In this context some versions use a verb with a more general range of meaning; for instance, “because Haman attacked the Jews” (New International Version), and “because he was endangering the lives of the Jews” (Bible en français courant). Today’s English Version restates to say “for his plot against the Jews.” Compare also New Jerusalem Bible‘s “for scheming against the Jews.”
Septuagint 8.7
The Greek omits “and Mordecai the Jew.” It also omits the emphatic “Behold” with which the king prefaces his answer in the Hebrew. Because the king addresses Esther alone in the Greek, the Greek says only “I have given the property of Haman to you [singular].” The Hebrew says “to Esther” (“I have given his property to Esther”) in order to make clear that the property was not given to both Esther and Mordecai.
The Greek uses two verbs that New Revised Standard Version treats as a hendiadys, that is, as expressing one idea through two statements. In 8.1 one verb was used, “to give as a gift,” but here the Greek says “I gave” and “I bestowed as a favor,” which New Revised Standard Version translates as I have granted and Today’s English Version “I have given.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, however, cites the king’s acts as three separate deeds, “if I gave…, if I sought to give you pleasure, and if I had him hung….”
Also note that Today’s English Version puts the sequence of events in the order in which they are told in the narrative, that is, first having Haman hanged and then giving his property to Esther. Today’s English Version does not translate the adjective all, but it should be translated.
A tree: this translates the same Greek word rendered “gallows” in 7.9-10. The reason for the inconsistency in New Revised Standard Version is not clear. Translators should use the same term here that was used in 7.9-10.
He acted against the Jews is literally “he laid hands on the Jews,” which is a rather literal translation of the Hebrew “sent his hand against the Jews.”
At the end of this verse the Septuagint adds “What more do you [singular] want?” which may be a mild rebuke to Esther.
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 .