Esther

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Esther” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign depicting a star on a crown, referring to her being a queen and her name likely meaning “star” (see here ). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Esther” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Esther .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

complete verse (Esther 4:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Esther 4:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then Hathach returned and explained to Esther the cries of Mordecai.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Hathach went to Esther and told her everything that Mordecai had said.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Hatak went-back to Ester and he told everything that Mordecai had-said.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru: “Then Hathach went back and told queen Esther about what Mordecai said.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • English: “So Hathach returned to Esther and told her what Mordecai said.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Esther 4:9   

As in verse 4, no time frame is provided. Probably all of the trips back and forth between Esther and Mordecai in verses 5-15 occurred in a short space of time, maybe even all on the same day. The Hebrew does not state how quickly all of this happened.

Like verse 6, this is a pivotal verse that shifts the scene back to Esther. The repetition of the names of Esther and Mordecai in the Hebrew (see also Revised Standard Version) is a way of keeping these two people in focus. Hathach is only a messenger carrying out his duty. Good News Translation shortens this verse considerably in order to avoid repetition. Such avoiding of repetition is characteristic of modern English style but may not be desirable in other languages, especially if it changes the emphasis of the text as it does here.

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 4:9

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Paragraph 4:9–11

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