complete verse (Esther 9:27)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Esther 9:27:

  • Kupsabiny: “the Jews agreed/accepted the words of Mordecai. They agreed with one stomach/heart that the feast become a ritual/tradition which will be inherited up to the descendants, also together with other people who will follow their ways/traditions. They decided that they should never miss even one day among those two in any year, to celebrate that feast.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “the Jews promised, together with their descendants and those who joined them, that year by year they would celebrate these two days as a festival on the prescribed day.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “the Jews agreed-together that they will-celebrate at the right time annually those two days feasts in the way that Mordecai had-said/instructed. They decided that they and their descendants will-do this, and all who became Jews.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru: “Because of that, the Jews’ names and set aside this custom for themselves and for their descendants and for those who wanted to become Jews. Every year on these two days they remember and follow the words that Mordecai commanded.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • English: “the Jews throughout the empire agreed to celebrate in that manner on those two days every year. They said that they would tell their descendants and those people who became Jews to be certain to celebrate this festival every year. They should celebrate just as Mordecai told them to do in the letter that he wrote.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Esther 9:27   

Ordained here translates the same verb translated “to enjoin” in verse 21 above. It reflects the fact of the Jews’ imposing or establishing a practice upon themselves. The author then uses a new synonym to shift the perspective by saying that they took it upon themselves. The translator will need to determine whether receptor language style can express a similar shift in perspective, namely, from imposition upon oneself to acceptance onto oneself. Otherwise Good News Translation provides a good model for combining the two actions into one.

As noted above on verse 21, an alternative understanding of the verb translated ordained is proposed by some interpreters who render the Hebrew verb “confirmed.” FOX, for example, says “the Jews confirmed and took it upon themselves” (see comments on verse 21 above).

All who joined the Jews are non-Jews who become converts to Judaism (so Good News Translation, Nueva Biblia Española; and see 8.17).

Without fail: this adverbial phrase translates a Hebrew verb, “to pass over,” that is described by the negative “not.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible translates “they would not fail to observe.” One can also say “they would not omit to observe.” Good News Translation restates this in the affirmative with the adverb “regularly.”

These two days are the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar (see verse 21 above).

According to what was written refers to Mordecai’s letter (see verses 20-22 above).

In the last part of this verse, the author’s emphasis upon time becomes very obvious, as it has many times previously in the book (compare 1.13, 4.14). He refers to two days, the time appointed, and every year. The two days are the fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar (see 9.21). Slight restructuring may be necessary; for example, “the time that was marked [or, cut]” or “the time Mordecai had set [or, fixed].” For every year the Hebrew says literally “in every year and year.”

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 9:27

9:27b

and all who join them: This refers to people from other races who would change their religion and become Jews. See 8:17.

9:27c

at the appointed time each and every year, according to their regulation: That is, exactly as Mordecai had instructed in his letter.

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