[Esther 5:10]

Nevertheless: in keeping with the events in the story, both Revised Standard Version and Today’s English Version interpret the conjunction waw here as having concessive and contrastive meaning. The translator will need to translate according to the logic of the story.

Restrained himself: the Hebrew root verb expresses strength and emotion. The author depicts strong emotion on the part of Haman. The author informs the reader that Haman did not react violently to what he clearly took to be very strong provocation. Perhaps an image such as “he overcame himself,” or “he held his head,” or “he controlled his heart” may be appropriate.

Sent and fetched: Haman was a man who held authority. Whom he sent to bring his friends and his wife is not stated, nor is it clear whether his call was a simple “invitation” as Today’s English Version implies, or perhaps a stronger command to come. Bible en français courant translates “he had his friends and wife Zeresh come.”

His friends: the same persons are mentioned again in 6.13, where they are identified as his advisors (see comments on “friends” at LXX 1.3).

Zeresh is a Persian name, occurring only in the book of Esther.

Septuagint 5.10

Nevertheless: New Revised Standard Version and Today’s English Version both express the contrastive character of the story, namely, that in spite of what could have happened as a result of his anger, Haman went home. The Greek, however, merely uses the connective kai (see above).

The Greek lacks the words “he restrained himself.” Zeresh’s name in Greek is “Zosara.” The Greek says literally “he called his friends and Zosara, his wife.” Assuming that his wife was already at home, Today’s English Version states that Haman asked his wife “to join them.” The original text makes good sense and can be followed without expansion or interpretation.

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 .