[Today’s English Version C.15; Revised Standard Version 14.4]

My danger is in my hand: Esther is prepared to go to the king even at the risk of being killed (see 4.16).

Although the hand is often a metaphor for power and authority, here it seems to refer to something that is very close. La Sainte Bible: La version Etablie par les moines de Maredsous translates “The peril that endangers me, I touch it with my hand.” Not only is the danger imminent, but Esther accepts it. Revised English Bible translates in a way that is similar to Today’s English Version, “for I am taking my life in my hands.” Other languages may say “I am at the edge [or, mouth] of danger” or “I am about to be at the door of death.” Danger in this context does not refer to “fate” but to death.

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 .