[Today’s English Version D.11-12; Revised Standard Version 15.11-12]

Here in the Greek version the king lifts his golden scepter and touches Esther’s neck with it (compare the Hebrew of 4.11 and 5.2).

The king also embraced her, literally “greeted her.” The Greek word may include the idea of embracing (Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible) or kissing (Today’s English Version). The scene is one of tenderness, but it should not be translated in such a way as to appear inappropriate or offensive.

Speak to me: in a context of familiarity and concern, the king invites Esther to tell him why she has come. Today’s English Version expands to make explicit the meaning of the king’s command. Bible en français courant translates similarly “Tell me what brings you here.”

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 .