The command is maʾamar that was first used of the king’s command addressed to Queen Vashti (see comments 1.15). Now it is Queen Esther’s command that fixed (“imposed, enjoined”) the rules of Purim. Command is expressed by a verb that implies speaking the command, but the result was recorded in writing.

Practices of Purim is literally “the words of Purim.” New Jerusalem Bible says “observances,” while Good News Translation says “rules.” The translator will need to select an appropriate term to express the “matters” that relate to Purim, or the “way” of Purim.

It was recorded is a passive construction that may need to be restated; “they wrote it,” for example.

In writing is literally “in the book.” The Hebrew grammar seems to indicate a specific book (“in the book”; so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New American Bible). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “in a special book.” With a slight change in the initial vowel, “in the book” becomes “in a book” or “in writing.” Many translations use an indefinite article: “in a book” (Bible en français courant) or “on a scroll” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible). Since the vowel in the Hebrew text is the equivalent of a definite article, the translation should indicate a definite book, that is, “the book” or, as in New International Version, “the records.” It is not clear what book this was, if a specific writing is intended. Probably the writer is not referring to the present book of Esther, though Segond reads “The story of Esther institutes the ritual of Purim; that’s why it is written in this book.” More probably the reference is to a book preserved by the Jews that contained the origins of the festival of Purim or an official record similar to the “Book of the Chronicles” (2.23; 6.1; 10.2). New International Version says “written down in the records.” Here in 9.32 some translations use the word “scroll” (Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible).

The Hebrew noun rendered writing in Revised Standard Version (also New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible) clearly refers to a scroll in many Old Testament passages, but it may also refer to writings in different forms and of various materials. In the Hebrew Old Testament a different noun is used more than forty times to refer to writing tablets. But as was noted in the comments on the Septuagint text of 9.20 (see ESG 9.20), it is possible that the form of the writing here consisted of clay tablets. Translators may choose to say either “book” (so New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant) or “scroll” (so Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible). In some languages there may be no specific word for “scroll,” so a general word such as “book” or “writing” will be used regardless of the decision regarding the original form of this writing.

Translators may wish to include a footnote similar to the following: “This is not the book of Esther, but without doubt another book preserved by the Jews at that time, but now lost, which tells the origins of the festival of Purim” (a similar footnote is given in Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

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 .

The command is maʾamar that was first used of the king’s command addressed to Queen Vashti (see comments 1.15). Now it is Queen Esther’s command that fixed (“imposed, enjoined”) the rules of Purim. Command is expressed by a verb that implies speaking the command, but the result was recorded in writing.

Practices of Purim is literally “the words of Purim.” New Jerusalem Bible says “observances,” while Good News Translation says “rules.” The translator will need to select an appropriate term to express the “matters” that relate to Purim, or the “way” of Purim.

It was recorded is a passive construction that may need to be restated; “they wrote it,” for example.

In writing is literally “in the book.” The Hebrew grammar seems to indicate a specific book (“in the book”; so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New American Bible). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “in a special book.” With a slight change in the initial vowel, “in the book” becomes “in a book” or “in writing.” Many translations use an indefinite article: “in a book” (Bible en français courant) or “on a scroll” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible). Since the vowel in the Hebrew text is the equivalent of a definite article, the translation should indicate a definite book, that is, “the book” or, as in New International Version, “the records.” It is not clear what book this was, if a specific writing is intended. Probably the writer is not referring to the present book of Esther, though Segond reads “The story of Esther institutes the ritual of Purim; that’s why it is written in this book.” More probably the reference is to a book preserved by the Jews that contained the origins of the festival of Purim or an official record similar to the “Book of the Chronicles” (2.23; 6.1; 10.2). New International Version says “written down in the records.” Here in 9.32 some translations use the word “scroll” (Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible).

The Hebrew noun rendered writing in Revised Standard Version (also New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible) clearly refers to a scroll in many Old Testament passages, but it may also refer to writings in different forms and of various materials. In the Hebrew Old Testament a different noun is used more than forty times to refer to writing tablets. But as was noted in the comments on the Septuagint text of 9.20 (see ESG 9.20), it is possible that the form of the writing here consisted of clay tablets. Translators may choose to say either “book” (so New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant) or “scroll” (so Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible). In some languages there may be no specific word for “scroll,” so a general word such as “book” or “writing” will be used regardless of the decision regarding the original form of this writing.

Translators may wish to include a footnote similar to the following: “This is not the book of Esther, but without doubt another book preserved by the Jews at that time, but now lost, which tells the origins of the festival of Purim” (a similar footnote is given in Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

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 .