The Hebrew has no transition word at the beginning of this verse. Some interpreters consider verse 10 to introduce a new episode in the discourse and begin a new paragraph here (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). In order to mark that transition, Good News Translation inserts the word “Now” and then restructures the verse to make it easier to read.

Translators should note that English uses the pluperfect tense in this verse. This makes it clear that the author is explaining what had taken place earlier. There is no indication when Mordecai gave this advice to Esther, but it is important in understanding the development of the story of how Esther became queen and how she saved her people.

Her people or kindred translates two Hebrew words. The first word refers to one’s race or nationality; the second refers to one’s family or parentage. Some interpreters do not believe that a real distinction is made with these two words, but rather consider the point to be that Esther did not reveal that she was Jewish (so Good News Translation and Bible en français courant). However, many translations do maintain the distinction here and in 2.20 between the two Hebrew words: Revised English Bible “her race or family”; New American Bible “her nationality or family”; New Jerusalem Bible “her race or parentage.” For Esther to reveal that she is Jewish would not necessarily be to reveal that she is a relative of Mordecai, so translators may want to maintain the distinction found in the Hebrew.

Had charged translates a Hebrew verb meaning “to give an order,” “to command.” The rendering in Good News Translation, “on the advice of,” does not adequately express the sense that Mordecai had ordered Esther not to tell. Compare Revised English Bible, “because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.” The writer does not explain why Mordecai instructed Esther to keep her race and relationship to him a secret. However, this secret is an important literary device, since the relationship becomes significant later in the development of the story. If keeping something “secret” has negative connotations, it may be preferable to follow the Hebrew as Revised Standard Version has done. An appropriate synonym may be used, “not to reveal” (New International Version), “not to divulge” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “not to tell” (New Revised Standard Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Noss, Philip A. A Handbook on Esther (The Hebrew Text). (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .