[Today’s English Version A.10; Revised Standard Version 11.11]

Light came: in contrast to the darkness of 11.8 above (A.7), there is light and there is a new day (see also comments on “light” at 8.16). Some translations such as Today’s English Version and Bible en français courant interpret this to be the light of dawn, whereas others like La Sainte Bible: La version Etablie par les moines de Maredsous and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible retain the literal image of light.

The lowly were exalted: no agent is mentioned, but the context seems to indicate that God raised up the lowly. Revised Standard Version‘s were exalted is a more literal translation than Today’s English Version‘s “were made strong.”

Those held in honor translates a word meaning “honored.” The text does not say by whom they were honored, but Today’s English Version implies that they honored themselves, that is, that those held in honor are the “arrogant enemies.” The sense seems to be that “those held in honor, the honorable” are the opposite of “the lowly, the simple.” Accordingly New Jerusalem Bible says “the humble were raised up and devoured the mighty.” Both Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible retain the image expressed by the Greek verb “devoured,” consumed.

The lowly and those held in honor refer respectively to the Jewish people and to their enemies (so Today’s English Version).

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 .