SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2000 – Page 9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 7:9

7:9b

gallows: See note on 2:23b.

7:9c

gave the report that saved the king: This refers to when Mordecai told the king about the plot to kill him and so saved his life. See 2:21–23.

© 2000 by SIL International®
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 9:17

9:17a

Adar: See note on 3:7d.

9:17c

a day of feasting and joy: It was a day when the Jews held feasts and joyfully celebrated their victory over their enemies.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:18

1:18a

the king’s officials: See note on 1:3a.

1:18b

much contempt and wrath: There would be discord or quarrels between husbands and their wives, because the husbands would be angry about their wives’ behavior.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 3:8

3:8a-b

Haman was addressing the king. Some Bible versions use an honorific title to show that Haman was addressing the king. You again need to decide whether or not to use a term like “Your Majesty” and whether Haman should address the king as “you” or not.

3:8c-d

So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them: This can also be translated in a negative form. For example, the Contemporary English Version has:

We would be better off to get rid of them!

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 5:13

5:13

the king’s gate: See note on 5:9b. Again, here this refers literally to the entrance to the king’s palace.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:10

8:10a

in the name of King Xerxes: See note on 3:12d. These letters had the same authority as Haman’s letters.

8:10b

sealed it with the royal signet ring: See note on 3:12e.

8:10c

mounted couriers: This means messengers who rode on horses.

8:10d

swift horses: The meaning of the word the Berean Standard Bible translates as “swift horses” is not certain. Most versions understand it to refer to horses which can run fast, and therefore the messengers could deliver messages throughout the kingdom as quickly as possible.

bred from the royal mares: This is another phrase which is difficult to understand in Hebrew. It probably refers to a group of horses which were specially bred not just for the king himself to ride, but also for officials to ride on state business.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 9:29

9:29

There are many problems in this verse, and if you compare different English versions you will see that they differ from each other in many ways. These Notes give some of the reasons for the differences.

along with Mordecai the Jew: Some commentators and English versions change the place of this phrase in the verse (see, for example, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible) or omit it altogether (Jerusalem Bible, which follows the LXX). However, it is recommended that you follow the Berean Standard Bible, which is the majority view and the clearest way of understanding the Hebrew text.

with full authority: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates “authority” literally means “strength, power.” Here it is referring to the authority Esther had as queen.

to confirm this second letter: This is a very difficult expression to understand. It seems clear from the context that this second letter refers to the letter Esther (and Mordecai) were now writing. The first letter was, then, the letter Mordecai wrote in 9:20. This is the view of most commentators. It is difficult, however, to understand how a letter can confirm itself. It would make more sense if this letter was written to confirm the letter which Mordecai had written (in 9:20). This is how a number of versions have translated it (Good News Translation, New Century Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures). If a literal translation of this phrase would be difficult to understand in your language, you could follow one of these versions. See, for example, the New Century Version:

they wrote to prove the first letter was true

Purim: See note on 3:7b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2:8

2:8a

the king’s command and edict: These two words are very similar in meaning. See 1:20a for edict.

2:8b

citadel of Susa: See note on 1:2.

General Comment about 2:8

As in 2:7, there is some repetition in this verse, so you may need to rearrange the verse as Good News Translation has done:

When the king had issued his new proclamation and many young women were being brought to Susa, Esther was among them. She too was put in the royal palace in the care of Hegai, who had charge of the harem. (Good News Translation)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2000