SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2000 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:9

1:9

banquet: This means a big feast where there was a lot to eat and drink. In Xerxes’ time, these banquets lasted many days or even weeks.

for the women: The text does not explain who these women were, but they may have been the wives of the officials who were feasting with the king.

© 2000 by SIL International®
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:10

Section 1:10–22

Queen Vashti disobeyed the king and he removed her from her position as queen

Towards the end of the feast, when he had drunk too much wine, the king sent a message, ordering the queen to come to him so that he could show off her beauty to his guests. But she probably did not wish to be seen by a crowd of drunken, leering men, and so she refused. The king was very angry about the queen’s disobedience and asked his advisors what the law said about how she should be punished. The advisors said that the king should divorce the queen, in order to show all wives in the empire that they must obey their husbands. The king was pleased with this advice and issued a decree to inform everyone about it.

Paragraph 1:10–12

1:10a

the king’s heart was merry with wine: Literally, “the heart of the king was good with wine.” By the last day of the feast, the king had drunk a lot of wine. If you have alcoholic drinks in your area, you probably have an expression to describe a person who has drunk enough wine to make him think he is very happy. You should use that expression here.

1:10b

eunuchs: Many of the king’s servants were eunuchs, that is, men who had been castrated and therefore could no longer have sexual relations with a women. In ancient times a king would use such men to protect his wives because they would not try to have sexual relations with the women. If a literal translation would shock your readers or be too difficult to translate, then use a word for an important servant, and explain the meaning of “eunuch” in a footnote or in the glossary.

who served him: Literally “who served the face of the king.” This probably refers to the king’s personal servants, who were responsible for looking after him.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:11

1:11a

her royal crown: A crown is the special kind of hat a king or queen wears. In Europe, a crown is usually made of gold, but in Persia, it was probably a special sort of turban, that is, a long cloth wound round and round and fastened with some sort of jewel.

1:11b

officials: See note on 1:3a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:12

1:12b

became furious, and his anger burned within him: The Hebrew uses two expressions to show how very angry the king was. You need to decide whether you should use two expressions in your language or just one very strong expression to show the same thing.

Paragraph 1:13–15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:13

1:13a

the wise men who knew the times: There is a textual problem with this verse, in particular with the word translated times by the Berean Standard Bible. The two possibilities are:

(1) The text has the Hebrew word ʿitîm “times.” This is the text followed by the majority of the translations. This means the phrase could refer to astrologers, but here it probably refers to men who were experts in legal matters. For example, the Good News Translation has:

his advisers, who would know what should be done

(2) The text has ḏaṯîm, the plural of the word the Berean Standard Bible translates “law” in 1:13b. For example, the New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible have:

who knew the laws

It is recommended that you follow the first option like the Good News Translation.

1:13b

law and justice: The Hebrew words daṯ and dîn, translated law and justice in the Berean Standard Bible, go together. The second one probably refers to legal procedures.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:14

1:14b

princes: See note on 1:3b.

who had personal access to the king: Literally “who saw the king’s face.” This means that they were allowed to enter the king’s presence freely and talk with him because he trusted them.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:15

1:15a

he asked: The Berean Standard Bible has added this to make it clear that the king has begun to speak. You will probably need to do something similar.

1:15b

the command of King Xerxes: Consider whether in your language the king should refer to himself as King Xerxes, or whether this should be translated as “my command.”

Paragraph 1:16–20

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:16

1:16a

princes: See note on 1:3b.

1:16b

wronged not only the king: Memucan did not refer to the king as “you” although he was speaking directly to him. You need to decide whether you can do this or whether you need to say “you.” If you have a special way of addressing a chief, you need to consider if you should use it here. For example, the Contemporary English Version has:

Your Majesty, Queen Vashti has not only embarrassed you

princes: See note on 1:3b.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 2000

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Esther 1:16

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