SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2000

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:20

1:20a

The edict the king issues: This has a similar meaning to “decree” in 1:19a.

1:20b

from the least to the greatest: See note on 1:5c.

Paragraph 1:21–22

© 2000 by SIL International®
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 3:10

-11

3:10a

the signet ring: This was a ring that the king wore on his finger which he used to press on the wax which sealed his letters. This would show that the document had been written with the king’s authority and so its message shou

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 6:1

Section 6:1–14

The king honored Mordecai

The same night that Haman was planning Mordecai’s death, the king could not sleep. So he told his servants to read to him from the book of the annals, in which the important events of his reign were recorded. One of the events the servants read about was the time when Mordecai had saved his life (see 2:19–23), and the king decided that he ought to reward him. So when Haman arrived the next morning, the king asked him how he thought the king ought to reward a man whom he wanted to honor. Haman suggested some ways to do that, thinking that the king was referring to him. The king then decided to honor Mordecai in those ways, and made Haman carry out his suggestions.

Paragraph 6:1–3

6:1

That night: That is, the same night that Haman was planning to kill Mordecai.

the Book of Records, the Chronicles: This was the record of the important events which had happened since Xerxes became king. It refers to the same book as “the Book of the Chronicles” in 2:23c.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:12

8:12

the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar: This was the same day that Haman had chosen for the massacre. See note on 3:7d.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 9:31

9:31a

Purim: See note on 3:7b.

9:31c

the times of fasting and lamentation: The Hebrew is more literally “words of fasting and lamentation.” It probably is a way of referring to certain Jewish holidays. The Jews were in the habit of commemorating certain traumatic events in their history by holding annual fasts. So this verse is saying that they should establish this holiday (Purim) just as they had established these other holidays.

fasting: See note on 4:3b.

lamentation: This refers to pleading with God for something with tears, not to mourning for the dead.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2:10

2:10

It may be better in your language to reverse 2:10a and 2:10b. Then you could say something like:

⌊ Before she went to the palace,⌋Mordecai had warned Esther not to tell anyone that she was a Jew or what family she came from, and she obeyed him.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 4:8

4:8a

a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews: That is, a copy of the document which ordered people to kill the Jews.

4:8c

for her people: Mordecai was reminding Esther that she too was a Jew. If there is no distinction between “his” and “her” in your language, you must take care that it is referring clearly to Esther’s people, not the king’s or Hathach’s.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 7:1

Section 7:1–10

The king commanded that Haman should die

When the king and Haman came to Esther’s second feast, Esther begged the king not to allow her and the other Jews to be killed. When the king heard that it was Haman who had ordered their destruction, he was very angry and left the room. When he returned, he found Haman pleading with Esther, but since he was lying on the couch on which Esther also was lying, he suspected him of trying to rape Esther and ordered his death. So Haman was hung on the tall pole which he had had erected for putting Mordecai to death.

Paragraph 7:1–4

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2000