touch scepter

Where English versions tend to translate “touched the top of the scepter” (and the reader assumes that Esther touched the scepter with her hand), Tibetan says she touched it with her head, which is more respectful in that culture.

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 .

scepter

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “scepter” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “stick of ruling.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

complete verse (Esther 5:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Esther 5:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “When that king saw his wife Esther, he was happy and stretched out his hand holding his stick of rulership/royal rod. Then Esther came and touched the tip of that rod showing the king respect.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The king, seeing Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, was very happy upon seeing her. Then he raised toward her the golden scepter which he had in his hand. Esther went to touch the tip of the scepter.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the king saw Ester, he was-delighted with her, and he stretched-out/extended his golden cane-/staff-like to Ester. Ester came-near and touched the tip of the cane-/staff-like.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru: “When the king saw Esther standing outside, he felt happy, and he showed the golden rod toward the queen. Then Esther entered and touched the golden rod.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • English: “When the king saw Esther standing there in the courtyard, he extended the gold scepter/staff toward her to signal that he would be glad to talk to her. So Esther came close and touched the tip of the scepter/staff.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Esther 5:2   

If wayyehi in verse 1 above marks an important event, the occurrence of the same word at the beginning of this verse heightens the drama. Esther has taken it upon herself to face death on behalf of her people, and the author signals the king’s response to her presence by saying wayyehi, “and it is [that] when the king sees Esther…” (Chouraqui).

She found favor in his sight is the same expression as in 2.15 above. Since a ruler’s symbol of authority is often raised in accusation or judgment, or as a sign that an approaching person must stop, it may be necessary here to make it clear that the king is revealing his favor by extending his scepter toward Esther (also in 8.4). She acknowledges his goodwill toward her by approaching the throne and touching the end of the scepter with her finger or with her hand.

On the golden scepter see 4.11 and comments.

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 5:2

5:2b

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

5:2c

touched the tip of the scepter: The text does not describe whether Esther touched the scepter with her hand or her lips (that is, she kissed it; see Keil-Delitzsch, p. 355). If you can use a general verb, like the English versions, and not specify how she touched the scepter, you should do so. If it is necessary in your language to say how she touched the scepter, it is recommended that you say “with her hand,” since this is the most natural meaning of the Hebrew verb.

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