SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2000 – Page 14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:1

Section 8:1–17

Xerxes allowed the Jews to protect themselves

After Haman’s death, the king gave Esther everything that had belonged to Haman and made Mordecai the chief official in the land. Esther asked the king to cancel Haman’s order to kill the Jews. The king instead permitted her and Mordecai to send letters in his name allowing the Jews to defend themselves and kill their enemies. The news of this order brought great joy to the Jews.

Paragraph 8:1–2

8:1a

the estate of Haman: This is literally “the house of Haman” but here it refers to everything that belonged to Haman—land and other possessions.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:2

8:2a

the signet ring: By giving Mordecai his own ring, the king made him the highest official in the land. This was the same ring which he had previously given to Haman. See note on 3:10a.

Paragraph 8:3–6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:3

8:3a

once again: The text does not state when Esther spoke with the king about the Jews. It may have been later that day or some time after that day.

8:3b

Agagite: See note on 3:1a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:4

8:4

extended the gold scepter: By doing this, the king was permitting Esther to speak.

the gold scepter: See note on 4:11b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:5

8:5a

This part of the verse contains four main clauses:

1. If it pleases the king

2. and if I have found favor in his sight

3. and the matter seems proper to the king

4. and I am pleasing in his sight

Clause 1, If it pleases the king, is similar in meaning to clause 3, and the matter seems proper to the king, and clause 2, and if I have found favor in his sight, is similar in meaning to clause 4, and I am pleasing in his sight.

You need to decide in your translation whether you should translate each clause separately or whether you should combine clauses. Any of these ways is acceptable, so you can choose the one that can be most easily translated into your language. Good News Translation has translated clauses 1 and 3 separately but combined 2 and 4. You could also combine 1 and 3, then combine 2 and 4, as in the Contemporary English Version:

I know you will do the right thing, and that you really love me

8:5b

letters: See note on 1:22a.

Agagite: See note on 3:1a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:6

8:6a

For: This gives the reason why Esther was making her request to the king in these verses.

how could I bear to see the disaster that would befall my people?: This is a rhetorical question. Decide whether in your language it is better to use the question or statement form. The question in 8:6b is also rhetorical.

Paragraph 8:7–8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:7

8:7b

Haman’s estate: See note on 8:1a.

8:7c

hanged on the gallows: See note on 2:23b.

8:7d

because he attacked the Jews: The Hebrew text is more literally “laid hands on the Jews.” Because Haman’s attack on the Jews was still in the future, you may translate this phrase in a different way:

Because Haman was against the Jews (New Century Version)
-or-
Because of his evil plans to kill the Jews (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment about 8:7b–d

It may be more logical in your language to reverse 8:7b and 8:7c–d. Haman was killed at the end of chapter 7, and then the king gave his property to Esther, so you may want to keep that same order here. Good News Translation does this: “I have hanged Haman for his plot against the Jews, and I have given Esther his property.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 8:8

8:8a

write in the king’s name: See note on 3:12d.

8:8b

seal it with the royal signet ring: See note on 3:12e.

8:8c

For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked: The commentators and English versions do not agree on which document the king is referring to here. There are two possibilities:

(1) It is a general statement, referring to any order made in the king’s name. In this verse it therefore refers to the order Esther and Mordecai were about to make. Because the king authorized it to be issued, no one would be able to cancel it. This is the best interpretation of this sentence based on its position in the Hebrew text, and it is the one followed by nearly every English version.

(2) It refers specifically to the order Haman had issued. The king was saying that he could not cancel it, but he permitted Esther and Mordecai to write something of their own. This interpretation is followed by Good News Translation, which reverses the order of the verse to express this:

But a proclamation issued in the king’s name and stamped with the royal seal cannot be revoked. You may, however, write to the Jews whatever you like; and you may write it in my name and stamp it with the royal seal. (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow the first option like the majority of the translations.

a decree: See note on 1:19a.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2000