complete verse (Esther 4:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Esther 4:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “When Hathach reached there, Mordecai told him all words he had heard. He even told him the amount of the silver which Haman had agreed to be collected and taken to the home of king after the Jews had been killed.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then Mordecai [told] what had happened to him. He also told Hathach the whole matter of how much money Haman gave to the king’s treasury for the annihilation of the Jews.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Mordecai told him everything that happened and how much money Haman had-promised to give to the place-of-hiding of the wealth of the kingdom, to destroy the Jews.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru: “And Mordecai told her everything which had happened to him. And he told about the money Haman had agreed to give to the king if all the Jews were killed.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • English: “Mordecai told him everything that had happened. He told him how much money Haman had promised to give to the government if the king commanded that all the Jews be killed.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Esther 4:7   

All that had happened to him refers specifically to the difficulties that Mordecai has had with Haman.

The exact sum: the precise amount or quantity (see 3.9). It may be helpful in some languages to restate this expression as Good News Translation has done.

The king’s treasuries: see comments on 3.9.

For the destruction of the Jews: Haman’s promise of payment was for the purpose of bringing about the destruction of the Jews. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente say “in exchange for the annihilation of the Jews.” In some languages it will be necessary to express an agent for the destruction of the Jews. This may be an indefinite “they,” or the role of the king may be made explicit: “in order for the king to cause them [or, people] to destroy the Jews” (see also comments on Septuagint in ESG 4.7).

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 4:7

4:7b

the royal treasury: See note on 3:9b.

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