The words of verses 24 and 25 are possibly intended to be part of the letter mentioned in verse 20; Bible en français courant introduces verse 24 with the words “Mordecai recalled this” (so also Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente places 9.24-26a within quotation marks, clearly indicating that these words are part of the letter.
However, it is more likely that verses 24-25 recall the reason that the Jews followed Mordecai’s instructions (so Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible). Verse 24 in Revised English Bible begins “This they did because Haman….” Today’s English Version presents the verse as a kind of editorial comment by the author.
On the Agagite see 3.1. Whereas elsewhere in the Book of Esther Haman has been called “the enemy of the Jews” (3.10; 8.1; 9.10), here he is called the enemy of all the Jews. Today’s English Version says in all of these verses “the enemy of the Jewish people,” omitting the word “all” in verse 24. Since verses 20 and 30 of chapter 9 state that letters were sent “to all the Jews,” the presence of the word “all” in 9.24 should not be overlooked. On this long designation of Haman, see the comment on 3.1.
On cast Pur, see the comment on 3.7. This clause and the appositional that is the lot is a repetition from 3.7. For purposes of clarity Today’s English Version expands by adding “to determine the day.” In 3.7 Haman himself did not cast lots, but in this verse he does appear to be the one who cast the lots.
Within the verse there is also repetition and expansion for increased emphasis and drama. Revised Standard Version translates to destroy them and to crush and destroy them. The first verb here is the same that was translated in 3.13 as “annihilate.” The verb translated to crush, hamam, is similar to the sound of the name Haman.
Septuagint 9.24
In the Greek, verse 24 reports the content of what Mordecai wrote in verse 20, rather than the reason for his writing.
Instead of the reading “Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews” the Septuagint reads Haman son of Hammedatha, the Macedonian (compare Septuagint verse 10 above). For Greek-speaking Jews at the time when the Greek text of Esther was written, the name Macedonian was a term of reproach. See also Addition E.10 and comments. Macedonia, a geographical area, was a part of Greece. Haman was therefore “someone from Macedonia,” a “Macedonia-person,” or even “a son of the land of Macedonia.”
Fought against them: although Haman had not physically fought against the Jews, his actions are interpreted in the language of war. The translator will need to use an appropriate expression to convey the meaning without misleading the reader. Today’s English Version expands for the sake of clarity but in so doing loses the brevity and conciseness of the original text.
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 .