Mordecai

The name that is transliterated as “Mordecai” in English means “little man,” “bitter bruising,” “bitterly reduced,” “bitterness of my oppression.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign depicting the tearing of clothes, referring to Esther 4:1. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Mordecai” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

More information on Mordecai .

Esther

The name that is transliterated as “Esther” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign depicting a star on a crown, referring to her being a queen and her name likely meaning “star” (see here ). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Esther” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Esther .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Translation commentary on Greek Esther 2:22

This came to the knowledge of Mordecai: this that came to the knowledge of Mordecai was literally the davar “the word,” “the affair,” or “the plot” (New American Bible) against the king. The implication that Mordecai happened to learn of the plot may be conveyed by an idiom such as “the news of the plot fell upon [or, into] Mordecai’s ears.”

Queen Esther: the Hebrew text says “Esther the queen.” This is the pattern of the epithet also in 5.3, though there both Revised Standard Version and Today’s English Version say “Queen Esther,” which is the normal word order in English style (see comments on the same expression applied to Vashti in 1.9).

In the name of Mordecai: to speak or act in someone’s name was to represent that person and to participate in that person’s authority (see 3.12; 8.8, 10). Today’s English Version says simply that Esther “told the king what Mordecai had found out.” But Today’s English Version lacks the idea that Esther told the king “for Mordecai” (New American Bible) or “on behalf of Mordecai” (Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible says “on Mordecai’s authority,” and New International Version says “giving credit to Mordecai.” “On behalf of Mordecai” or “in the place of Mordecai” should be made clear in the translation.

Septuagint 2.22

He warned Esther: the Greek verb rendered warned is often used in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew verbs meaning “to sound an alarm.” But here the meaning may be more simply “made known, reported, communicated.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Bible en français courant translate it “informed.” New Revised Standard Version extends the meaning to reflect the danger that Mordecai is reporting, that is, he warned her. The Septuagint makes explicit that Esther “made known the matters concerning the plot” to the king, but omits the words “in the name of Mordecai.” Plot may be translated “the plan to kill.”

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 .