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| 1 | Book | Chapter | Verse | ID | SupportReference | OrigQuote | Occurrence | GLQuote | OccurrenceNote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | EST | front | intro | d989 | 0 | # Introduction to Esther<br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>### Outline of Esther<br><br>1. King Ahasuerus sends away his wife, the queen (1:1–22)<br>1. Ahasuerus chooses Esther as the new queen (2:1–23)<br>1. Haman plots to destroy the Jews (3:1–15)<br>1. Mordecai asks Esther to help her people (4:1–17)<br>1. Esther pleads with the king for the Jews (5:1–7:10)<br>1. The result of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews (8:1–9:16)<br>1. The Feast of Purim (9:17–32)<br>1. Conclusion (10:1–3)<br><br>### What is the Book of Esther about?<br><br>The Book of Esther tells how a young Jewish woman named Esther became the queen of Persia. As queen, she worked to save all the Jews in the Persian Empire from being destroyed.<br><br>This book ends by telling why the Jews celebrate the festival of Purim. The name “Purim” comes from the word “pur.” It means “lots” or “dice.” Haman, the enemy of Jews, threw dice to choose when to attack and destroy the Jews. The Jews celebrate Purim to remember how Yahweh rescued his people from being destroyed.<br><br>### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>Translators can use the traditional title of this book, which is “The Book of Esther” or just “Esther.” Or they can choose a clearer title, such as “The Book About Esther.”<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>### What was the Persian Empire?<br><br>King Cyrus the Great conquered and ruled over many kingdoms. This was in the part of the world called Persia, which is now Iran. So people named his kingdom the Persian Empire. When Cyrus conquered Babylonia in 539 B.C., he then controlled the Jews whom the Babylonians had exiled.<br><br>### Why were there Jews in Babylonia when the Persians conquered it?<br><br>In 586 B.C., the Babylonians conquered and took into exile the people of Judah. These Jews and their descendants were still in Babylon when the Persians conquered it.<br><br>### What was meant by “the laws of the Medes and Persians”?<br><br>The phrase “the laws of the Medes and Persians” is found in Esther 1:19 and Daniel 6:12. It referred to laws and decrees that could not be changed or removed once they were issued. In the book of Esther, the king made a decree that the people could attack the Jews. Later he regretted that decision but he was not able to change the decree.<br><br>The term “Medes” refers to a people group that had formed its own nation, but the Persians conquered them.<br><br>## Part 3: Important Translation Issues<br><br>### What different levels of language are in the Book of Esther?<br><br>In the Book of Esther, people talk to each other in many different situations. There is the polite and stately talk in the Persian court and the words of royal decrees. Friends and close relatives also talk to each other. There are even the words that one uses in speaking to oneself. Translators should use all the ways their own language has to express these different situations in a way that their readers will identify and understand.<br> | |||
| 3 | EST | 1 | intro | v1fp | 0 | # Esther 01 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### The king’s divorce<br><br>The king’s advisers were afraid that husbands would lose their authority when they heard the queen had refused to come to show her beauty to the king’s guests; so the advisers told him to divorce her.<br> | |||
| 4 | EST | 1 | 1 | jdr1 | writing-newevent | וַיְהִ֖י | 1 | Now it happened | In the Old Testament, this is a standard way of beginning a historical story. Many languages have similar story-opening formulas, and if your language has one, you can use it. But do not use it if it would suggest that the story is not real, only made up. Alternate translation: “This account happened” (See: Introduction of a New Event) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) |
| 5 | EST | 1 | 1 | zzz2 | bita-phenom | בִּימֵ֣י אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ | 1 | In the days of Ahasuerus | The term **day** is used figuratively here to refer to a longer period of time. You could just say “during the reign of Ahasuerus,” as UST does. But as an alternative, you could say, “in the time of Ahasuerus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-phenom]] [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 6 | EST | 1 | 1 | qwe1 | translate-names | אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ | 1 | Ahasuerus | This is a man’s name. It occurs many times in the story. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 7 | EST | 1 | 1 | v5ts | writing-background | ה֣וּא אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ הַמֹּלֵךְ֙ מֵהֹ֣דּוּ וְעַד־כּ֔וּשׁ שֶׁ֛בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּמֵאָ֖ה מְדִינָֽה | 1 | he was Ahasuerus the one who ruled from India even as far as Ethiopia, 127 provinces | This is background information to help the reader identify Ahasuerus. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 8 | EST | 1 | 1 | qwe3 | ה֣וּא אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ הַמֹּלֵךְ֙ | 1 | he was Ahasuerus, the one who ruled | “This king named Ahasuerus ruled” | |
| 9 | EST | 1 | 1 | qwe5 | writing-background | מֵהֹ֣דּוּ וְעַד־כּ֔וּשׁ | 1 | from India even as far as Ethiopia | In case your audience might not know where these places are, you could say, “extending from India in the east to Ethiopia in the west.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 10 | EST | 1 | 1 | qwe7 | writing-background | שֶׁ֛בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּמֵאָ֖ה מְדִינָֽה | 1 | 127 provinces | The number is given to show what a large empire this was. You could say that explicitly: “Ahasuerus ruled a very large empire that had 127 provinces.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 11 | EST | 1 | 1 | qwe8 | translate-numbers | שֶׁ֛בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּמֵאָ֖ה מְדִינָֽה | 1 | 127 provinces | Alternate translation: “one hundred twenty seven provinces” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 12 | EST | 1 | 2 | dk31 | bita-humanbehavior | כְּשֶׁ֣בֶת…עַ֚ל כִּסֵּ֣א מַלְכוּת֔וֹ | 1 | sat on the throne of his royalty | Here the action of **sitting** on a throne is used figuratively to mean ruling over a kingdom. You could just say “ruled,” as UST does. But as an alternative, you could say, “ruled his empire from his royal throne” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 13 | EST | 1 | 2 | qwe9 | figs-abstractnouns | עַ֚ל כִּסֵּ֣א מַלְכוּת֔וֹ | 1 | the throne of his royalty | **Royalty** is an abstract noun that refers to the royal authority that the king exercised. You can translate this idea with a verb, “the throne he ruled from,” or an adjective, “his royal throne.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 14 | EST | 1 | 2 | hgm3 | translate-names | בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן | 1 | in Susa | This was the name of a royal city of the Persian kings. It occurs many times in the story. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 15 | EST | 1 | 2 | qwr1 | translate-unknown | הַבִּירָֽה | 1 | the citadel | This means a “castle” or “palace” where a king would live. But since the city of Susa itself is being called a “citadel” here, it’s likely that the term figuratively means “royal city” or “capital city.” The person telling this story is identifying Susa as the capital by calling it by the name of something closely associated with it, the royal palace within it. A good translation might be “the capital city of Persia.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 16 | EST | 1 | 3 | ry7m | translate-ordinal | בִּשְׁנַ֤ת שָׁלוֹשׁ֙ לְמָלְכ֔וֹ | 1 | in the third year of his reign | This means that Ahasuerus had already ruled for two full years and that these events took place in the year that followed them. Alternate translation: “during the third year that Ahasuerus ruled his empire” or “after he had ruled for two years” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 17 | EST | 1 | 3 | qwr3 | figs-abstractnouns | בִּשְׁנַ֤ת שָׁלוֹשׁ֙ לְמָלְכ֔וֹ | 1 | in the third year of his reign | **Reign** is an abstract noun that refers to the royal authority that the king exercised. You can translate it with a verb: “during the third year that Ahasuerus ruled” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 18 | EST | 1 | 3 | qwr5 | עָשָׂ֣ה מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה | 1 | he made a feast | “he hosted a feast” | |
| 19 | EST | 1 | 3 | prm1 | figs-synecdoche | חֵ֣יל ׀ פָּרַ֣ס וּמָדַ֗י | 1 | the army of Persia and Media | This likely refers to the leaders of the army. It is describing a part of the army by referring to the whole army. Alternate translation: “the officers of the army” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 20 | EST | 1 | 3 | qwr7 | הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֛ים | 1 | the noblemen | This probably means something like “the wealthy landowners.” | |
| 21 | EST | 1 | 3 | jdr3 | bita-hq | לְפָנָֽיו | 1 | before his face | **Face** figuratively stands for the presence of a person, so this phrase means “in his presence.” The invitation was to come to the royal capital to attend a banquet where the king would be present in person. You could say, as UST does, that the king was present in person to host the feast. Or you could say as an alternative, “All of them came to Susa for the feast.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 22 | EST | 1 | 4 | qwr9 | figs-abstractnouns | בְּהַרְאֹת֗וֹ אֶת־עֹ֨שֶׁר֙ כְּב֣וֹד מַלְכוּת֔וֹ | 1 | when he displayed the wealth of the glory of his kingdom | You can translate the abstract noun with an emphasized adjective. Alternate translation: “Ahasuerus … wanted to demonstrate … the great wealth of his kingdom” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 23 | EST | 1 | 4 | qet1 | figs-explicit | בְּהַרְאֹת֗וֹ | 1 | when he displayed | “He” refers to the king. The implication is that he held this banquet was to show all of his officials how wealthy and powerful he was. The invited officials would then go back to all the different parts of the empire and tell everyone this. Alternate translation: “Ahasuerus wanted to demonstrate to his guests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 24 | EST | 1 | 4 | m8xa | figs-doublet | עֹ֨שֶׁר֙ כְּב֣וֹד מַלְכוּת֔וֹ | 1 | the wealth of the glory of his kingdom | The words “wealth” and “glory” have similar meanings and they are used together to emphasize how great his kingdom was. Alternate translation: “the great wealth of his kingdom” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 25 | EST | 1 | 4 | qet3 | figs-abstractnouns | בְּהַרְאֹת֗וֹ…וְאֶ֨ת־יְקָ֔ר תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת גְּדוּלָּת֑וֹ | 1 | when he displayed…the splendor of the beauty of his greatness | You can translate abstract nouns “splendor,” “beauty,” and “greatness” as adjectives. Alternate translation: “Ahasuerus … wanted to demonstrate … that he was a very powerful king.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 26 | EST | 1 | 4 | lun5 | figs-doublet | יְקָ֔ר תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת גְּדוּלָּת֑וֹ | 1 | the splendor of the beauty of his greatness | The words “splendor” and “beauty” have similar meaning and emphasize how great he was. Alternate translation: “the splendor of his greatness” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 27 | EST | 1 | 4 | qet5 | figs-explicit | יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת יֽוֹם | 1 | for many days, for 180 days | This was a very long time for a royal feast to last. The earlier part of the verse provides the reason for this. To make the connection explicit, you could add some explanatory words to the verse like this: “Ahasuerus entertained his guests fabulously, because he wanted to demonstrate that his empire was extremely wealthy and that he was a very powerful king. He did so many things for them that the festivities lasted for six months.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 28 | EST | 1 | 4 | x1v6 | translate-numbers | שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת יֽוֹם | 1 | for 180 days | 180 days is about six months or about half a year. You can use whatever expression will best express this time period in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 29 | EST | 1 | 5 | ue3x | figs-explicit | וּבִמְל֣וֹאת׀ הַיָּמִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה | 1 | And when those days were fulfilled | The implication is, “at the end of that feast.” You could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “after those 180 days were over” or “at the end of those six months” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 30 | EST | 1 | 5 | fv9y | translate-numbers | עָשָׂ֣ה הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ…מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה | 1 | the king made a feast | This was a second feast that the king hosted. He likely did this to thank the people who had worked so hard in hosting the first feast. You could say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 31 | EST | 1 | 5 | mj16 | translate-unknown | בְּשׁוּשַׁ֨ן הַבִּירָ֜ה | 1 | in Susa the citadel | The expression in this case seems to refer specifically to the royal palace or citadel from which the city got its name. This second feast would not have been for everyone in the entire city. It was specifically for the people who served the king in the palace and who had worked so hard over the previous six months hosting the first feast. Alternate translation: “for every man who worked for him in the palace at Susa.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 32 | EST | 1 | 5 | qet7 | figs-idiom | הַנִּמְצְאִים֩ | 1 | who were found | Here **found** is an idiom that means “could be found” or “were there.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 33 | EST | 1 | 5 | qet9 | figs-activepassive | הַנִּמְצְאִים֩ | 1 | who were found | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “who worked for him in” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 34 | EST | 1 | 5 | qey1 | figs-merism | לְמִגָּ֧דוֹל וְעַד־קָטָ֛ן | 1 | from the greatest even to the least | The person telling this story is referring to the staff of the palace by speaking of two extreme parts of it, the most important and the least important people who worked there, in order to include everyone in between. You could just explain this meaning, as UST does. Alternate translation: “from the most important official to the least important servant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 35 | EST | 1 | 5 | qey3 | שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים | 1 | for seven days | Alternate translation: “another feast that lasted seven days” The story does not suggest that this was an unusually long time by saying “for many days.” But you could also say something like “a whole week” to show that this was a generous gesture of thanks on the part of the king. | |
| 36 | EST | 1 | 6 | qey5 | translate-unknown | ח֣וּר ׀ כַּרְפַּ֣ס וּתְכֵ֗לֶת | 1 | Linens cotton and blue | These **linens** were curtains that were hung in the courtyard. “Cotton” refers to the white color of some of them. So this means “white and blue curtains. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 37 | EST | 1 | 6 | qey7 | ח֣וּר ׀ כַּרְפַּ֣ס וּתְכֵ֗לֶת | 1 | Linens cotton and blue | You can specify at the start of this verse that the location being described is the same as in the previous verse: “In the courtyard, white and blue curtains.” | |
| 38 | EST | 1 | 6 | qey9 | translate-unknown | בְּחַבְלֵי־ב֣וּץ וְאַרְגָּמָ֔ן | 1 | by cords of byssus and purple | **Byssus** means “white linen” and it is used to describe the white color of some of these cords. So this means “white and purple cords.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-translate-unknown]]) |
| 39 | EST | 1 | 6 | qru1 | figs-explicit | מִטּ֣וֹת ׀ זָהָ֣ב וָכֶ֗סֶף | 1 | couches of gold and silver | You can specify that these couches were there for the guests to recline on while they ate. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 40 | EST | 1 | 6 | asn4 | translate-unknown | רִֽצְפַ֥ת | 1 | a pavement | This word probably refers to a mosaic floor made of inlaid pieces of colorful precious stones. |
| 41 | EST | 1 | 6 | eyi2 | translate-unknown | בַּהַט | 1 | porphyry | This is a kind of red and purple stone that contains pieces of crystal. You could call it “feldspar,” or say something descriptive like “red marble.” (See: Translate Unknowns) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 42 | EST | 1 | 6 | qru3 | translate-unknown | וָשֵׁ֖שׁ | 1 | and alabaster | This is a white precious stone. You could identify it as “alabaster.” Alternatively, while it is not exactly the same thing as marble, your readers would get the right idea if you called it “white marble.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 43 | EST | 1 | 6 | qru5 | translate-unknown | וְסֹחָֽרֶת | 1 | and precious stone | This word probably refers to a black marble that was used to create borders around mosaics. You could call this “black marble,” or you could just say that the floor contained “another precious stone.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 44 | EST | 1 | 7 | urm7 | figs-abstractnouns | וְהַשְׁקוֹת֙ | 1 | And the serving was | The abstract noun **serving** refers to how the drinks were served at the banquet. You can translate it with a verb: “The attendants served wine.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 45 | EST | 1 | 7 | qru7 | כֵלִ֖ים מִכֵּלִ֣ים שׁוֹנִ֑ים | 1 | with vessels different from other vessels | This could mean that “no two of them were alike.” But you could also just say that the wine was served in “various kinds of golden cups.” | |
| 46 | EST | 1 | 7 | r6ec | figs-explicit | וְיֵ֥ין מַלְכ֛וּת רָ֖ב כְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | and the wine of royalty was abundant according to the hand of the king | This means that King Ahasuerus himself paid for all the wine that the guests drank at his seven-day feast in Susa, and it came from his personal supply. Alternate translation: “the king was very generous with the royal wine” or “the king showed a great willingness to give” or “the king provided all of it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 47 | EST | 1 | 7 | qru9 | figs-abstractnouns | וְיֵ֥ין מַלְכ֛וּת רָ֖ב כְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | and the wine of royalty | This probably means special fine wine that only the king could acquire and afford. You can translate the abstract noun “royalty” with an adjective. Alternate translation: “royal wine.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 48 | EST | 1 | 7 | wpq1 | bita-hq | כְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | according to the hand of the king | Here **hand** refers figuratively to the king himself, viewed through his action of giving. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]]) and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 49 | EST | 1 | 8 | qtu1 | figs-abstractnouns | וְהַשְּׁתִיָּ֥ה כַדָּ֖ת | 1 | the drinking was according to the law | The abstract noun **drinking** refers here not to the action of drinking, but to the guidelines for serving drinks that the king had established for the banquet. Alternate translation: “Ahasuerus had established this rule for all his household attendants who served the wine” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 50 | EST | 1 | 8 | g5gu | figs-explicit | אֵ֣ין אֹנֵ֑ס | 1 | There is no compulsion | This could mean one of two things. (1) No one would be stopped from drinking, even if the attendants thought they had already had enough. Alternate translation: “There was to be no restriction on drinking.” (2) There would be no requirement to drink. Alternate translation: “No one must be forced to drink.” Either way, this was another sign of the generosity that the king showed as he hosted this banquet to thank the people who worked for him. Either he was (1) allowing them to drink as much as they wanted to, or (2) not requiring them to eat and drink everything that was served at a banquet, as guests of the king would usually have to do. You could say explicitly at the beginning of the verse that the king was giving his guests a special privilege. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 51 | EST | 1 | 8 | f6px | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּי־כֵ֣ן׀ יִסַּ֣ד הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ עַ֚ל כָּל־רַ֣ב בֵּית֔וֹ לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כִּרְצ֥וֹן אִישׁ־וָאִֽישׁ | 1 | for thus the king had established for every overseer of his house, to do according to the desire of man by man | Alternate translation: “The king made the attendants who served the wine follow this rule.” This explains why no one had to drink if they did not want to. If it would be clearer in your language, you can give this explanation (the reason) before the result that it accounts for, using a connecting word like “so”: “the king had established for every overseer of his house to do according to the desire of man by man, so the drinking was according to the law, ‘There is no compulsion.’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 52 | EST | 1 | 8 | qtu3 | לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כִּרְצ֥וֹן אִישׁ־וָאִֽישׁ | 1 | to do according to the desire of man by man | Alternate translation: “The king wanted every guest to be able to drink as much as he wanted,” or “All the guests could drink as little or as much as they wanted.” | |
| 53 | EST | 1 | 8 | jdr5 | figs-idiom | אִישׁ־וָאִֽישׁ | 1 | man by man | This is an idiom that means “everyone.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 54 | EST | 1 | 9 | qtu5 | grammar-connect-time-simultaneous | גַּ֚ם | 1 | Also | This introduces something else that was happening at the same time. You can indicate this by saying something like, “During this time.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) |
| 55 | EST | 1 | 9 | qtu7 | writing-participants | וַשְׁתִּ֣י הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה | 1 | Vashti the queen | You can explain that she was the wife of Ahasuerus: “Queen Vashti, the king’s wife” or “his wife.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-participants]]) |
| 56 | EST | 1 | 9 | qtu9 | translate-names | וַשְׁתִּ֣י הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה | 1 | Vashti | This is a woman’s name. It occurs several times in this chapter and the next one. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 57 | EST | 1 | 9 | qti1 | מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה נָשִׁ֑ים | 1 | a feast of women | This could mean the women who served in the palace, the wives of the men who were officers and servants, or both. You could say “a feast for the wives of the men who attended” or “for the women who worked in the palace.” | |
| 58 | EST | 1 | 9 | qti3 | בֵּ֚ית הַמַּלְכ֔וּת אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ | 1 | the house of royalty that belonged to the king Ahasuerus | Alternate translation: “the royal palace where King Ahasuerus lived” | |
| 59 | EST | 1 | 9 | qti5 | figs-abstractnouns | בֵּ֚ית הַמַּלְכ֔וּת | 1 | house of royalty | You can translate the abstract noun “royalty” with the adjective “royal.” Alternate translation: “royal palace” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 60 | EST | 1 | 10 | jv7z | translate-ordinal | בַּיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י | 1 | On the seventh day | Alternate translation: “After 6 days” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 61 | EST | 1 | 10 | le6l | bita-hq | כְּט֥וֹב לֵב־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בַּיָּ֑יִן | 1 | when the heart of the king was pleased by the wine | Here **heart** figuratively means the action of thinking or feeling. Alternate translation: “when King Ahasuerus was in a good mood from drinking wine” or “when the king was drunk with wine” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 62 | EST | 1 | 10 | dcb2 | translate-names | מְהוּמָן בִּזְּתָ֨א חַרְבוֹנָ֜א בִּגְתָ֤א וַאֲבַגְתָא֙ זֵתַ֣ר וְכַרְכַּ֔ס | 1 | Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas | These are names of seven men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 63 | EST | 1 | 10 | ens5 | translate-unknown | הַסָּ֣רִיסִ֔ים | 1 | the…eunuchs | This term occurs a dozen times in the story. It describes male royal officials whose served as guardians for the women who lived in the palace. They were both guardians of the door, to keep unwanted people out of the women’s quarters, and guardians of the women inside, to take care of them and look after their needs. (As we learn in 2:21, some of these officials also protected the king’s private quarters.) As we see here, and as will also be seen in 2:14 and 2:16, their duties included escorting women from place to place. The term likely indicates that, in keeping with the practices of the time, these men were castrated because their work brought them into such close contact with the king’s wives and concubines. If your language has a term for such an official and you think your readers would recognize it, you can use it. Otherwise, you can use a term that describes the role that these officials played in the royal court. Alternate translation: “guardians” or “officials” or “castrated servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 64 | EST | 1 | 10 | qti7 | writing-background | הַמְשָׁ֣רְתִ֔ים אֶת־פְּנֵ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ | 1 | who served before the face of King Ahasuerus | This is background information to explain who these men were. Alternate translation: “who attended him personally.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 65 | EST | 1 | 10 | jdr7 | bita-hq | פְּנֵ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ | 1 | the face of King | Here **face** figuratively means the presence of a person. The phrase means that these seven men served King Ahasuerus personally. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 66 | EST | 1 | 11 | qti9 | figs-explicit | לְ֠הָבִיא | 1 | to bring | This is the beginning of the instructions that King Ahasuerus gave to the seven eunuchs he summoned in verse 10. You can make this explicit: “He told them to bring.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 67 | EST | 1 | 11 | jdr9 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ | 1 | to the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively means the presence of a person. The phrase means that King Ahasuerus wanted Queen Vashti to come personally into his presence. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 68 | EST | 1 | 11 | asd1 | figs-abstractnouns | בְּכֶ֣תֶר מַלְכ֑וּת | 1 | in a crown of royalty | You can translate the abstract noun **royalty** with an adjective: “wearing her royal crown.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 69 | EST | 1 | 11 | asd3 | figs-explicit | בְּכֶ֣תֶר מַלְכ֑וּת | 1 | in a crown of royalty | Ahasuerus likely wanted Vashti to wear her queen’s crown so that everyone would know that she was his wife. You could say that explicitly. (For the possible reasons why he wanted them to know this, see the next note.) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 70 | EST | 1 | 11 | asd5 | writing-background | לְהַרְא֨וֹת הָֽעַמִּ֤ים וְהַשָּׂרִים֙ אֶת־יָפְיָ֔הּ | 1 | in order to show the people and the officials her beauty | Everything Ahasuerus did at his banquets was to show how rich and powerful he was. He seems to have believed that having a very beautiful wife was one more thing that proved he was a great man. So he wanted everyone to see how beautiful Vashti was. You can put this second in the verse, after explaining that Vashti was a very beautiful woman, because it accounts for what happens afterwards, when the king sends his seven personal servants to bring her in to his banquet. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 71 | EST | 1 | 11 | asd7 | הָֽעַמִּ֤ים וְהַשָּׂרִים֙ | 1 | the people and the officials | This might mean, “his guests, especially the officials.” | |
| 72 | EST | 1 | 11 | asd9 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּֽי־טוֹבַ֥ת מַרְאֶ֖ה הִֽיא | 1 | for she was pleasing of appearance | If it would be clearer in your language, you can put this first in the verse because it is the reason that explains everything else that happens afterwards in the verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 73 | EST | 1 | 11 | qvk4 | figs-idiom | כִּֽי־טוֹבַ֥ת מַרְאֶ֖ה הִֽיא | 1 | she was pleasing of appearance | Alternate translation: “she was very beautiful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 74 | EST | 1 | 12 | asf1 | figs-events | וַתְּמָאֵ֞ן הַמַּלְכָּ֣ה וַשְׁתִּ֗י לָבוֹא֙ | 1 | But the queen Vashti refused to come | You can put the events in chronological order and say first that the eunuchs told Vashti what the king had commanded, and then say that she refused to come. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 75 | EST | 1 | 12 | asf3 | figs-explicit | וַתְּמָאֵ֞ן הַמַּלְכָּ֣ה וַשְׁתִּ֗י לָבוֹא֙ | 1 | But the queen Vashti refused to come | If your language needs to give a reason why she refused, it is most likely “because she did not want a group of drunken men staring at her lustfully.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 76 | EST | 1 | 12 | b57q | בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | at the word of the king | Alternate translation: “at the king’s command” or “what the king wanted” | |
| 77 | EST | 1 | 12 | asf5 | bita-hq | בְּיַ֣ד הַסָּרִיסִ֑ים | 1 | by the hand of the eunuchs | Here **hand** refers figuratively to the eunuchs themselves, viewed through their action of telling Vashti what the king had commanded. Alternation translation: “when those servants told Queen Vashti what the king wanted” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 78 | EST | 1 | 12 | kp6p | translate-unknown | הַסָּרִיסִ֑ים | 1 | the eunuchs | See how you translated this term in 1:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 79 | EST | 1 | 12 | asf7 | figs-parallelism | וַיִּקְצֹ֤ף הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ מְאֹ֔ד וַחֲמָת֖וֹ בָּעֲרָ֥ה בֽוֹ | 1 | the king became very angry, and his rage burned within him | These two phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used to emphasize the idea that they are expressing. You could combine them, as UST does: “The king became so angry that he could barely contain himself.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 80 | EST | 1 | 12 | bsd5 | figs-metaphor | וַחֲמָת֖וֹ בָּעֲרָ֥ה בֽוֹ | 1 | and his rage burned within him | Here the story uses a metaphor that pictures the king’s anger as a fire that burned inside of him. If your language has a different word picture that it uses to describe extreme anger, you can use that here. If not, you can translate plainly, “his anger continued to increase.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-phenom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 81 | EST | 1 | 13 | asf9 | לַחֲכָמִ֖ים | 1 | to the wise men | This means the king’s advisors. You could call them “his advisors” or “the royal advisors.” | |
| 82 | EST | 1 | 13 | g9fe | יֹדְעֵ֣י הָֽעִתִּ֑ים | 1 | who were knowers of the times | This means something like “who knew the right way to do things” or “who understood the culture.” | |
| 83 | EST | 1 | 13 | x2u7 | writing-background | כִּי־כֵן֙ דְּבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | for thus was the manner of the king | This means that “it was the king's habit” to consult his advisors on important questions. This is background information that explains why the king called upon these men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 84 | EST | 1 | 13 | adf1 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּי־כֵן֙ דְּבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | for thus was the manner of the king | You can put this first in the verse if it would be clearer in your language to put the reason before the result, because it explains what happens next. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 85 | EST | 1 | 13 | jd11 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֕י | 1 | before the face of | Here **face** refers figuratively to the presence of a person. The phrase means that King Ahasuerus would personally ask his wise men for advice in matters like these. Alternate translation: “to consult personally with” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 86 | EST | 1 | 13 | adf3 | יֹדְעֵ֖י דָּ֥ת וָדִֽין | 1 | knowers of law and judgment | This means that these advisors knew the law and knew how to make good decisions in light of it. | |
| 87 | EST | 1 | 14 | adf5 | וְהַקָּרֹ֣ב אֵלָ֗יו | 1 | and the ones near to him | “the king’s closest advisors” | |
| 88 | EST | 1 | 14 | cc44 | translate-names | כַּרְשְׁנָ֤א שֵׁתָר֙ אַדְמָ֣תָא תַרְשִׁ֔ישׁ מֶ֥רֶס מַרְסְנָ֖א מְמוּכָ֑ן | 1 | Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Mersena, Memukan | These are the names of seven men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 89 | EST | 1 | 14 | jd13 | figs-idiom | רֹאֵי֙ פְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | seers of the face of the king | **To see the face of** is an idiom that means to be in the presence of a person. The phrase means that King Ahasuerus would regularly and personally consult with these seven advisors. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 90 | EST | 1 | 14 | adf7 | bita-humanbehavior | הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים רִאשֹׁנָ֖ה בַּמַּלְכֽוּת | 1 | the ones who sat first in the kingdom | Here **sitting** represents ruling or judging. The expression here means that these were the most powerful officials in the empire. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 91 | EST | 1 | 15 | j6sh | figs-explicit | כְּדָת֙ מַֽה־לַּעֲשׂ֔וֹת בַּמַּלְכָּ֖ה וַשְׁתִּ֑י עַ֣ל׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־עָשְׂתָ֗ה אֶֽת־מַאֲמַר֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ בְּיַ֖ד הַסָּרִיסִֽים | 1 | According to law, what is to be done with the queen Vashti on account of that she did not perform the command of King Ahasuerus by the hand of the eunuchs? | This verse presents the question that the king asked the wise men. It may be helpful to indicate this by saying something like, “The king asked them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 92 | EST | 1 | 15 | ics9 | כְּדָת֙…עַ֣ל ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר | 1 | According to law…on account of that | “What does the law say we should do…because…?” | |
| 93 | EST | 1 | 15 | adf9 | figs-events | בְּיַ֖ד הַסָּרִיסִֽים | 1 | by the hand of the eunuchs | To present the events in chronological order, you can put the information first that these men brought the command. Alternate translation: “Queen Vashti did not do what I told my servants to command her to do.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 94 | EST | 1 | 15 | jd15 | bita-hq | בְּיַ֖ד הַסָּרִיסִֽים | 1 | by the hand of the eunuchs | Here **hand** figuratively represents the action of doing or giving. The phrase means that the eunuchs were the ones who told Queen Vashti what King Ahasuerus had commanded her. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 95 | EST | 1 | 15 | adg1 | translate-unknown | הַסָּרִיסִֽים | 1 | eunuchs | See how you translated this term in 1:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 96 | EST | 1 | 15 | adg3 | bita-hq | וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מְמוּכָ֗ן לִפְנֵ֤י הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ | 1 | And Memukan answered before the face of the king and the officials | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. The phrase means that Memukan was speaking in the presence of the king and of the other officials. Alternate translation: “Then Memukan spoke so that both the king and the officials could hear” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bira-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 97 | EST | 1 | 16 | ss5y | translate-names | מְמוּכָ֗ן | 1 | Memukan | See how you translated this man’s name in 1:14. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 98 | EST | 1 | 16 | yqr8 | figs-hyperbole | כָּל־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֕ר בְּכָל־מְדִינ֖וֹת הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ | 1 | all the people who are in all the provinces of the king | This means all the different people groups that were living in the empire. You could say “all the people groups in all the provinces that King Ahasuerus rules” or more generally “every person who lives in the entire empire of King Ahasuerus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 99 | EST | 1 | 16 | adg5 | figs-123person | הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ | 1 | the king Ahasuerus | Memukan speaks of the king in third person as a form of respect. If you want to portray him as speaking primarily to the king, because he is answering the king’s question, you could have him say “in all the provinces that you rule” or “every person who lives in your entire empire.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 100 | EST | 1 | 17 | jd17 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּֽי | 1 | For | This introduces the reason why Memukan says that Queen Vashti has done wrong against all the men in the kingdom and not only against King Ahasuerus. To show that, you can begin with, “This is what will happen.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 101 | EST | 1 | 17 | gn4g | figs-hyperbole | יֵצֵ֤א דְבַר־הַמַּלְכָּה֙ עַל־כָּל־הַנָּשִׁ֔ים | 1 | the matter of the queen will go out to all the women | To emphasize his point, Memukan exaggerates and says that every single woman in the empire will hear about Queen Vashti refusing to obey King Ahasuerus. You could say, as UST does, that “women all over the empire” will hear about what the queen did. Or you could preserve Memukan’s manner of speaking by saying “every woman” will hear. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 102 | EST | 1 | 17 | jd19 | bita-hq | לְהַבְז֥וֹת בַּעְלֵיהֶ֖ן בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ן | 1 | to make their husbands despised in their eyes | Here **eyes** stand for “seeing,” and “seeing” figuratively means knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. The phrase means that the women will treat their husbands with disrespect and not obey them. Alternate translation: “women will despise their husbands.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 103 | EST | 1 | 17 | adg7 | figs-explicit | בְּאָמְרָ֗ם הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֡וֹשׁ אָמַ֞ר לְהָבִ֨יא אֶת־וַשְׁתִּ֧י הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה לְפָנָ֖יו וְלֹא־בָֽאָה | 1 | when they say, “The king Ahasuerus said to bring Vashti the queen before his face, but she did not come.” | The implication is that they will go on to say, “So if even the queen can disobey the king, why should I have to obey my husband?” If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 104 | EST | 1 | 17 | adg9 | grammar-connect-logic-result | הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֡וֹשׁ אָמַ֞ר לְהָבִ֨יא אֶת־וַשְׁתִּ֧י הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה לְפָנָ֖יו וְלֹא־בָֽאָה | 1 | The king Ahasuerus said to bring Vashti the queen before his face, but she did not come. | The women will stop respecting their husbands after they hear about this. You can put this report about what Queen Vashti did first, before “women will stop respecting their husbands,” because it is the reason that explains that result. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 105 | EST | 1 | 17 | jd21 | bita-hq | לְפָנָ֖יו | 1 | before his face | Here **face** figuratively means the presence of a person. The phrase means the Queen Vashti refused to come into the presence of King Ahasuerus when he summoned her during the feast. See how you translated this in verse 11. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 106 | EST | 1 | 18 | afg1 | וְֽהַיּ֨וֹם הַזֶּ֜ה | 1 | Now this day | “Even today” or “Even this very day” | |
| 107 | EST | 1 | 18 | afg3 | שָׂר֣וֹת פָּֽרַס־וּמָדַ֗י | 1 | the noblewomen of Persia and Media | It becomes clear later in the verse that Memukan is speaking of the wives of the king’s officials, and you could say that here: “the wives of the officials who govern Persia and Media.” But the term “noblewomen” indicates that they also had high status of their own, so you could also call them “the leading women of Persia and Media.” | |
| 108 | EST | 1 | 18 | afg5 | דְּבַ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה | 1 | the matter of the queen | “what the queen has done” | |
| 109 | EST | 1 | 18 | afg7 | תֹּאמַ֣רְנָה | 1 | will speak | This means that they will “talk back” or disobey. Alternate translation: “refuse to obey” | |
| 110 | EST | 1 | 18 | afg9 | figs-explicit | לְכֹ֖ל שָׂרֵ֣י הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | to all the officials of the king | This means the husbands of the noblewomen. The implication may be, “They will disobey their husbands, even though they are officials of the king.” You could say that explicitly, as UST does. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 111 | EST | 1 | 18 | u6d7 | וּכְדַ֖י בִּזָּי֥וֹן וָקָֽצֶף | 1 | and there will be contempt and wrath enough | This could mean either that “they will treat their husbands with disrespect, and this will make their husbands angry with them” or that “they will be angry with their husbands and treat them with contempt.” | |
| 112 | EST | 1 | 18 | afh1 | figs-explicit | וּכְדַ֖י | 1 | and there will be enough | This could mean that the husbands will be furious “as much as they can bear.” But it could also mean, “That will be bad enough by itself, even if the news does not spread any farther.” If you think that is the meaning, you can say that explicitly, as UST does. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 113 | EST | 1 | 19 | afh3 | figs-idiom | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֗וֹב | 1 | If it is good to the king | This is an idiom that means, “If the king thinks this is a good idea” or “If this advice is pleasing to the king.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 114 | EST | 1 | 19 | d8qk | figs-123person | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֗וֹב | 1 | If it is good to the king | Memukan speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. Alternate translation: “If it pleases you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 115 | EST | 1 | 19 | jd25 | bita-hq | יֵצֵ֤א דְבַר־מַלְכוּת֙ מִלְּפָנָ֔יו | 1 | let a decree of royalty go out from before his face | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. The phrase means that the decree will come from the king himself. Alternate translation: “you should personally issue a royal decree” or “you should write a decree yourself.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 116 | EST | 1 | 19 | afh5 | figs-abstractnouns | דְבַר־מַלְכוּת֙ | 1 | a decree of royalty | You can translate the abstract noun **royalty** with the adjective “royal.” Alternate translation: “royal decree” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 117 | EST | 1 | 19 | jd23 | figs-123person | מִלְּפָנָ֔יו | 1 | from before his face | Memukan speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. Alternate translation: “personally” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 118 | EST | 1 | 19 | afh7 | figs-activepassive | וְיִכָּתֵ֛ב | 1 | and let it be written | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “you should write a decree yourself” or “command your scribes to write a decree” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 119 | EST | 1 | 19 | mh1a | וְלֹ֣א יַעֲב֑וֹר | 1 | which do not pass away | “these laws never become invalid” or “can never be changed” | |
| 120 | EST | 1 | 19 | jd27 | figs-123person | תָב֜וֹא…לִפְנֵי֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ | 1 | come before the face of the king | Memukan speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. Alternate translation: “never come into your presence again” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 121 | EST | 1 | 19 | jd29 | bita-hq | תָב֜וֹא…לִפְנֵי֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ | 1 | come before the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. The phrase means that Queen Vashti will never again come into the king’s presence. Alternate translation: “never again come before King Ahasuerus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 122 | EST | 1 | 19 | jd31 | figs-123person | וּמַלְכוּתָהּ֙ יִתֵּ֣ן הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לִרְעוּתָ֖הּ הַטּוֹבָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנָּה | 1 | and let the king give her royalty to her female neighbor | Memukan speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. You can show the same meaning with a verb that addresses a singular “you” and indicates that Memukan is offering advice, not giving a command: “choose another woman to be queen.” Alternate translation: “the king can give her position as queen to some other woman.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 123 | EST | 1 | 19 | afh9 | figs-abstractnouns | וּמַלְכוּתָהּ֙ | 1 | and…her royalty | You can translate the abstract noun “royalty” with an expression such as “her royal position” or “her position as queen.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 124 | EST | 1 | 19 | afj1 | figs-explicit | הַטּוֹבָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנָּה | 1 | the woman who is better than she | Memukan means that the next queen should be “better than” Vashti by obeying all of the king’s commands. You could say this explicitly, as UST does. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 125 | EST | 1 | 20 | v9l3 | figs-activepassive | וְנִשְׁמַע֩ פִּתְגָ֨ם הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ | 1 | Then the decree of the king will be heard | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “when everyone … hears” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 126 | EST | 1 | 20 | des3 | figs-123person | פִּתְגָ֨ם הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ | 1 | the decree of the king | Memukan speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. You could express the same meaning in the second person: “When they hear what you have commanded” Alternate translation: “When they hear the king’s decree” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 127 | EST | 1 | 20 | jd33 | figs-123person | אֲשֶֽׁר־יַעֲשֶׂה֙ בְּכָל־מַלְכוּת֔וֹ | 1 | that he will make for all his kingdom | Even though the decree of Ahasuerus applied only to Vashti directly, implicitly it meant that all wives had to obey their husbands, or else their husbands could banish and divorce them as well. You can say this explicitly at the end of the verse: “because if any wife disobeys her husband, he can banish and divorce her, just as you did to Vashti.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information) |
| 128 | EST | 1 | 20 | afj3 | figs-123person | מַלְכוּת֔וֹ | 1 | his kingdom | Memukan speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. Alternate translation: “for all your kingdom” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 129 | EST | 1 | 20 | p8nz | כִּ֥י רַבָּ֖ה הִ֑יא | 1 | though it is great | “even though your empire is very large” | |
| 130 | EST | 1 | 20 | afj5 | הַנָּשִׁ֗ים יִתְּנ֤וּ יְקָר֙ לְבַעְלֵיהֶ֔ן | 1 | women will give honor to their husbands | “women will respect and obey their husbands” | |
| 131 | EST | 1 | 20 | be9r | figs-merism | לְמִגָּד֖וֹל וְעַד־קָטָֽן | 1 | from the greatest to the least | This expression figuratively refers to all of the husbands in the empire. By naming both extremes, it includes everyone in between. You could just give the meaning, as UST does: “every husband in the empire” Alternate translation: “This will be true for both the most important man and the least important man in the empire, and everyone in between.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 132 | EST | 1 | 21 | afj7 | figs-idiom | וַיִּיטַב֙ הַדָּבָ֔ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ | 1 | The word seemed good in the eyes of the king | Like “if it is good to the king” in verse 19, this is an idiom that means, “the king thought this was a good idea” or “this advice pleased the king.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 133 | EST | 1 | 21 | afj9 | bita-hq | בְּעֵינֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְהַשָּׂרִ֑ים | 1 | in the eyes of the king and the officials | Here **eyes** stand for for seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. The phrase means that King Ahasuerus and all the officials who heard Memukan’s advice thought that his suggestion was a good idea. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 134 | EST | 1 | 21 | agj1 | וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ כִּדְבַ֥ר מְמוּכָֽן | 1 | the king acted according to the word of Memukan | This means that King Ahasuerus wrote a law proclaiming what Memukan had suggested. | |
| 135 | EST | 1 | 21 | p5us | translate-names | מְמוּכָֽן | 1 | Memukan | Translate his name as in 1:14. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 136 | EST | 1 | 22 | agj3 | וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח סְפָרִים֙ אֶל־כָּל־מְדִינ֣וֹת הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | he sent letters to all the provinces of the king | “He” means King Ahasuerus. This is saying that the king sent letters to every province in his empire. | |
| 137 | EST | 1 | 22 | jd37 | figs-idiom | מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ | 1 | province by province | This is an idiom that means “every province” or “every single province.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 138 | EST | 1 | 22 | agj5 | כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ | 1 | according to its own writing | “using its own alphabet” or “written in its own script” | |
| 139 | EST | 1 | 22 | jd39 | figs-idiom | עַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם | 1 | people by people | This is an idiom that means “every people group” or “every single people group.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 140 | EST | 1 | 22 | jd41 | bita-hq | כִּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ | 1 | according to its tongue | Here **tongue** figuratively means the language spoken by a person or a group of people. Alternate translation: “in its own language” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 141 | EST | 1 | 22 | jj9n | לִהְי֤וֹת כָּל־אִישׁ֙ שֹׂרֵ֣ר בְּבֵית֔וֹ | 1 | that every man should be ruling in his house | This meant that that all men should have complete authority over their wives and their children. | |
| 142 | EST | 1 | 22 | jd43 | bita-hq | כִּלְשׁ֥וֹן עַמּֽוֹ | 1 | speaking according to the tongue of his people | Here **tongue** figuratively means the language spoken by a person or a group of people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 143 | EST | 1 | 22 | agj7 | figs-explicit | כִּלְשׁ֥וֹן עַמּֽוֹ | 1 | speaking according to the tongue of his people | The implication is that the husband ought to be able to give orders to his wife in his own native language and that she should understand and obey him, even if she had to learn his language to do so. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 144 | EST | 2 | intro | eb4q | 0 | # Esther 02 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Esther becomes queen<br><br>Esther was humble and took the advice of the royal officials about how to dress for her time with the king. The king chose Esther to be the new queen.<br><br>### Mordecai warns the king against a plot<br><br>Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, discovered that two men planned to kill the king. He told Esther, who then told the king. She also gave Mordecai credit for telling her.<br> | |||
| 145 | EST | 2 | 1 | dpc3 | writing-newevent | אַחַר֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה | 1 | After these things | This introduces a new event that happened some time later. You can show this with a phrase like “some time later.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) |
| 146 | EST | 2 | 1 | e4lp | כְּשֹׁ֕ךְ חֲמַ֖ת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ | 1 | when the rage of the king Ahasuerus subsided | “when King Ahasuerus no longer felt so angry” or “became less angry” | |
| 147 | EST | 2 | 1 | agj9 | זָכַ֤ר אֶת־וַשְׁתִּי֙ | 1 | he remembered Vashti | This means that he started to think about Vashti and he probably missed her. | |
| 148 | EST | 2 | 1 | xpt9 | figs-explicit | אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֔תָה וְאֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־נִגְזַ֖ר עָלֶֽיהָ | 1 | what she had done, and what had been decided concerning her | This refers to Vashti’s refusal to obey Ahasuerus and the decision he made in 1:21 that she could never come into his presence again. This could actually mean that when he thought about Vashti and what she had done, he regretted the decision that he had made about her. But there was nothing he could do to bring her back, because the laws of the empire could not be changed. You could explain all or some of this in your translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 149 | EST | 2 | 1 | agk1 | figs-activepassive | אֲשֶׁר־נִגְזַ֖ר עָלֶֽיהָ | 1 | what had been decided | You can say this with an active form, and you can say that the king performed the action. Alternate translation: “what he had decided” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 150 | EST | 2 | 2 | agk3 | translate-unknown | נַעֲרֵֽי־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מְשָׁרְתָ֑יו | 1 | the young men of the king who serve him | These were not the older, wiser royal advisors whom Ahasuerus consulted in 1:13, but younger men who stood nearby the king ready to help with any practical needs. You could call them his “personal servants.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 151 | EST | 2 | 2 | agk5 | figs-explicit | יְבַקְשׁ֥וּ לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ נְעָר֥וֹת | 1 | Let them seek for the king young women | Implicit in this suggestion is the idea, “You should get a new wife for yourself.” You can say that explicitly at the beginning of the advice that the young men give to the king. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 152 | EST | 2 | 2 | s4hv | figs-activepassive | יְבַקְשׁ֥וּ | 1 | Let them seek | **Them** means the servants that the king would send to do this. You should express this in a form that shows it is a suggestion, not a command, for example: “You could send some men to look for.” |
| 153 | EST | 2 | 2 | abt8 | figs-123person | לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ | 1 | for the king | The young men speak to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternatively, you could have them say “for yourself” or “on your behalf.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 154 | EST | 2 | 2 | jd45 | figs-idiom | טוֹב֥וֹת מַרְאֶֽה | 1 | pleasing of appearance | As in 1:11, this is an idiom that means “very beautiful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 155 | EST | 2 | 3 | g9vp | figs-123person | וְיַפְקֵ֨ד הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ | 1 | And let the king appoint | The young men speak to the king in third person as a sign of respect. Alternatively, you could have them say “you could appoint” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 156 | EST | 2 | 3 | jd47 | figs-idiom | טוֹבַ֨ת מַרְאֶ֜ה | 1 | pleasing of appearance | As in 1:11, this is an idiom that means “very beautiful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 157 | EST | 2 | 3 | xqf9 | translate-unknown | שׁוּשַׁ֤ן הַבִּירָה֙ | 1 | Susa the citadel | In this context, this expression probably means “to the palace here in Susa.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 158 | EST | 2 | 3 | j4ka | בֵּ֣ית הַנָּשִׁ֔ים | 1 | the house of women | This means the harem for virgins, the place where the young women would live and receive beauty treatments before they were taken to the king (see verses 13 and 14). | |
| 159 | EST | 2 | 3 | d754 | figs-activepassive | אֶל־יַ֥ד הֵגֶ֛א סְרִ֥יס הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַנָּשִׁ֑ים | 1 | into the hand of Hegai, the eunuch of the king who is overseer of the women | This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Let Hegai, the king’s official, who is in charge of the women, take care of them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 160 | EST | 2 | 3 | jd49 | bita-hq | יַ֥ד הֵגֶ֛א | 1 | the hand of Hegai | Here **hand** is a metaphor meaning power, control, or authority. As the overseer of the women, Hegai was responsible for the young women who lived in the harem for virgins. Alternate translation: “under the custody of Hegai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 161 | EST | 2 | 3 | lf71 | translate-names | הֵגֶ֛א | 1 | Hegai | This is a man’s name. It occurs several times in this chapter. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 162 | EST | 2 | 3 | jd51 | figs-123person | סְרִ֥יס הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ | 1 | the eunuch of the king | The servants spoke to the king in third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “your eunuch” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 163 | EST | 2 | 3 | agk7 | translate-unknown | סְרִ֥יס | 1 | eunuch | See how you translated this term in 1:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 164 | EST | 2 | 3 | agk9 | שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַנָּשִׁ֑ים | 1 | who is overseer of the women | “the official who is in charge of the women who live there.” | |
| 165 | EST | 2 | 3 | w1ly | translate-unknown | תַּמְרוּקֵיהֶֽן | 1 | their ointments | This term seems to refer to a specific substance that women would put on their face or other parts of their body to make themselves more beautiful. From verse 12, it appears to mean lotions that were used along with oils and perfumes. But here, this one aspect of a woman’s beauty treatment seems to be used to refer to all of it, so you could call these “beauty treatments.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknowns]]) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 166 | EST | 2 | 4 | jd53 | figs-123person | וְהַֽנַּעֲרָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּיטַב֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | Then the young woman who is pleasing in the eyes of the king | The servants spoke to the king in third person as a sign of respect. You could express the same meaning in the second person by saying something such as “the young woman you like the best.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 167 | EST | 2 | 4 | lh3n | bita-hq | בְּעֵינֵ֣י | 1 | in the eyes of | Here **eyes** figuratively represent seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. The phrase means that King Ahasuerus could decide which young woman he liked the best and make her queen. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 168 | EST | 2 | 4 | jd55 | bita-hq | וַיִּיטַ֧ב הַדָּבָ֛ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ | 1 | the word was pleasing in the eyes of the king | Here **eyes** have the same figurative meaning. The phrase indicates that King Ahasuerus thought that this suggestion was a good idea. Alternate translation: “The king found their suggestion appealing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 169 | EST | 2 | 4 | zxc1 | וַיַּ֥עַשׂ כֵּֽן | 1 | so he did thus | “so he followed the suggestion” | |
| 170 | EST | 2 | 5 | h6z2 | writing-participants | אִ֣ישׁ יְהוּדִ֔י | 1 | A man, a Jew | This introduces Mordecai as a new character in the story. This expression means “a Jewish man.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-participants]]) |
| 171 | EST | 2 | 5 | uu9i | translate-unknown | בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֑ה | 1 | in Susa the citadel | Here the phrase likely indicates the city rather than the palace, that is, “the capital city of Susa.” |
| 172 | EST | 2 | 5 | zxc3 | translate-names | מָרְדֳּכַ֗י | 1 | Mordecai | This is a man’s name. It occurs many times throughout the story. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 173 | EST | 2 | 5 | q2rz | translate-names | בֶּ֣ן יָאִ֧יר בֶּן־שִׁמְעִ֛י בֶּן־קִ֖ישׁ | 1 | the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish | These are men’s names. Jair, Shimei, and Kish are Mordecai’s male ancestors. You could say, “Mordecai was the son of Jair, who was the son of Shimei, who was the son of Kish,” or, “His father was named Jair, his grandfather was named Shimei, and his great-grandfather was named Kish.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 174 | EST | 2 | 5 | kw5t | אִ֥ישׁ יְמִינִֽי | 1 | a man, a Benjamite | While this likely refers to Kish, it is necessarily also true of Mordecai, and you could put it second in the verse. That way Mordecai’s nationality would come first, then his tribe, and then his family and clan. Alternate translation: “from the tribe of Benjamin” | |
| 175 | EST | 2 | 6 | zxc5 | writing-background | אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָגְלָה֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יִם עִם־הַגֹּלָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָגְלְתָ֔ה עִ֖ם יְכָנְיָ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶֽל | 1 | who had been exiled from Jerusalem with the captives who had been exiled along with Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, who Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had exiled | The story now tells about something that happened many years before. This is background information that explains how this Jewish family came to live in Susa. You should introduce this by saying something like, “Many years earlier.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 176 | EST | 2 | 6 | z7fe | figs-activepassive | אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָגְלָה֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יִם | 1 | who had been exiled from Jerusalem | If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had taken Kish away from Jerusalem along with some other captives.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 177 | EST | 2 | 6 | egm7 | writing-background | אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָגְלָה֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יִם | 1 | who had been exiled from Jerusalem | You can bring this information forward from later in the verse because it provides background information that helps identify Mordecai. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 178 | EST | 2 | 6 | zxc7 | figs-explicit | אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָגְלָה֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יִם | 1 | who had been exiled from Jerusalem | If it would be clearer in your language, you could say where King Nebuchadnezzar brought the people that he took away from Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “had taken Kish away from Jerusalem … and brought him to Babylon.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 179 | EST | 2 | 6 | zxc9 | grammar-connect-time-simultaneous | עִ֖ם | 1 | along with | This means that the two things happened at the same time. You can indicate this with a phrase like “at the same time that he took.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) |
| 180 | EST | 2 | 6 | ch1t | translate-names | יְכָנְיָ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֑ה | 1 | Jeconiah, the king of Judah | In the historical passage where this event is described (2 Kings 24:8–17), this king is called Jehoiachin. That was another name by which he was known. You can call him Jehoiachin here in Esther if you think that would help your readers recognize him better. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 181 | EST | 2 | 6 | zxv1 | translate-names | אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶֽל | 1 | whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had exiled | You can say where King Nebuchadnezzar brought this king when he took him away from Jerusalem, for example, “Nebuchadnezzar … took King Jehoiachin of Judah away from Jerusalem and brought him to Babylon.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 182 | EST | 2 | 7 | zxv3 | וַיְהִ֨י | 1 | And he was | The story now returns to talking about Mordecai. You can specify his name: “Now Mordecai.” | |
| 183 | EST | 2 | 7 | zxv5 | אֹמֵ֜ן | 1 | fostering | “was taking care of” | |
| 184 | EST | 2 | 7 | hfm9 | בַּת־דֹּד֔וֹ | 1 | the daughter of his uncle | If your language has a specific term for this relationship, you can use it, for example, “his cousin.” Alternate translation: “his uncle’s daughter” | |
| 185 | EST | 2 | 7 | m9kx | translate-names | הֲדַסָּ֗ה הִ֤יא אֶסְתֵּר֙ | 1 | Hadassah (she is Esther) | Here the story is indicating that this woman’s Hebrew name was Hadassah and her Persian name was Esther. You could say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 186 | EST | 2 | 7 | zxv7 | translate-names | אֶסְתֵּר֙ | 1 | Esther | This is a woman’s name. It occurs many times throughout the story. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 187 | EST | 2 | 7 | ccb1 | אֵ֥ין לָ֖הּ אָ֣ב וָאֵ֑ם | 1 | there was not for her a father or a mother | You could say simply that “she was an orphan,” as UST does. Alternate translation: “both her father and mother had died” | |
| 188 | EST | 2 | 7 | jd59 | figs-parallelism | וְהַנַּעֲרָ֤ה יְפַת־תֹּ֨אַר֙ וְטוֹבַ֣ת מַרְאֶ֔ה | 1 | Now the young woman was beautiful of form and pleasing of appearance | These two phrases mean something similar. Separately they could be saying that Esther was both sexually mature and very attractive. But taken together they mean that overall she was very pleasant to look at. You could combine them, as UST does, and say that she was “exceptionally attractive” Alternate translation: “she had a lovely body and a beautiful face.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 189 | EST | 2 | 7 | skt5 | writing-background | וּבְמ֤וֹת אָבִ֨יהָ֙ וְאִמָּ֔הּ לְקָחָ֧הּ מָרְדֳּכַ֛י ל֖וֹ לְבַֽת | 1 | And at the death of her father and her mother, Mordecai had taken her for him as a daughter | This is background information explaining the relationship between Mordecai and Esther. You can move it to right after the place where Esther is introduced by name, because it describes what happened in the past, before Esther became a beautiful young woman. Alternate translation: “After her father and her mother had died, Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 190 | EST | 2 | 8 | zxv9 | grammar-connect-time-sequential | וַיְהִ֗י | 1 | So it happened that | After providing this background information about Mordecai and Esther in verses 5–7, the story now tells what happened as a result of these facts, when the provincial officers described in verse 3 began sending young women to the harem. That is, the story tells what happened to Esther because her family was living in the Persian empire and she was very attractive. You should indicate in some way that the events are now moving forward from where the story left off. For example, “And so this is what happened.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]]) |
| 191 | EST | 2 | 8 | zcv1 | grammar-connect-time-simultaneous | בְּהִשָּׁמַ֤ע דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ וְדָת֔וֹ וּֽבְהִקָּבֵ֞ץ נְעָר֥וֹת רַבּ֛וֹת | 1 | when the decree of the king and his law were heard, and when many young women were gathered | This indicates that two actions took place at the same time. You should indicate this with a phrase like “at the same time.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) |
| 192 | EST | 2 | 8 | zcv3 | figs-activepassive | בְּהִשָּׁמַ֤ע דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ וְדָת֔וֹ וּֽבְהִקָּבֵ֞ץ נְעָר֥וֹת רַבּ֛וֹת | 1 | when the decree of the king and his law were heard | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. For example, “when the messengers proclaimed the king's decree and the scribes published the king's law.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 193 | EST | 2 | 8 | c52i | דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ | 1 | the decree of the king | This refers to King Ahasuerus banishing Queen Vashti from his presence. | |
| 194 | EST | 2 | 8 | zcv5 | וְדָת֔וֹ | 1 | and his law | This refers to King Ahasuerus commanding that men would have complete authority over their wives. | |
| 195 | EST | 2 | 8 | zcv7 | figs-explicit | בְּהִשָּׁמַ֤ע | 1 | when…were heard | You could also say where they did this action. Alternate translation: “Messengers went throughout the empire and proclaimed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 196 | EST | 2 | 8 | m3ld | figs-activepassive | וּֽבְהִקָּבֵ֞ץ נְעָר֥וֹת רַבּ֛וֹת | 1 | and when many young women were gathered | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action: “the officers the king had appointed in each province began to bring many young women” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 197 | EST | 2 | 8 | jd65 | translate-unknown | שׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָ֖ה | 1 | Susa the citadel | Here again this likely means “the capital city of Susa.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 198 | EST | 2 | 8 | mbk1 | bita-hq | אֶל־יַ֣ד הֵגָ֑י | 1 | into the hand of Hegai | Here **hand** is a metaphor meaning power, control, or authority. As the overseer of the women, Hegai was responsible for the women in the harem for virgins. You could say that the officers “put them under the custody of Hegai” or that “Hegai began to take care of them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 199 | EST | 2 | 8 | zcv9 | grammar-connect-time-simultaneous | וַיְהִ֗י בְּהִשָּׁמַ֤ע…וּֽבְהִקָּבֵ֞ץ…וַתִּלָּקַ֤ח | 1 | So it happened that, when…were heard, and when…were gathered…Esther was taken | This means that Esther was brought to the harem of King Ahaserus at the same as other young women were also being brought to the harem. You can say “they brought Esther at the same time” or “they also brought Esther.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) |
| 200 | EST | 2 | 8 | n3zc | figs-activepassive | וַתִּלָּקַ֤ח | 1 | that…Esther was taken | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “they brought Esther” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 201 | EST | 2 | 8 | zcb1 | figs-explicit | וַתִּלָּקַ֤ח | 1 | that…Esther was taken | You can explain why this happened, for example, “Because Esther was exceptionally attractive, the officers also brought her” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 202 | EST | 2 | 8 | zcb3 | בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | the house of the king | “the king’s palace” | |
| 203 | EST | 2 | 8 | jd71 | figs-metaphor | אֶל־יַ֥ד הֵגַ֖י שֹׁמֵ֥ר הַנָּשִֽׁים | 1 | into the hand of Hegai | As earlier in this verse, this means “under the custody of Hegai” or that “Hegai also began to take care of her.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 204 | EST | 2 | 8 | zcb5 | writing-background | שֹׁמֵ֥ר הַנָּשִֽׁים | 1 | who was overseer of the women | This means that Hegai took care of the young women who lived in the harem for virgins.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could move this information to earlier in the verse, when Hegai is first mentioned, because it explains why the young women were brought to him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 205 | EST | 2 | 9 | zcb7 | וַתִּיטַ֨ב הַנַּעֲרָ֣ה בְעֵינָיו֮ וַתִּשָּׂ֣א חֶ֣סֶד לְפָנָיו֒ | 1 | the young woman was pleasing in his eyes, and she lifted kindness before his face | This means that “Hegai found Esther attractive, and she obtained kindness from him” or that “Hegai was very impressed with Esther, and she won his favor.” In other words, because he was so impressed with her, this made him want to do everything he could to help her. This is background information that explains why Hegai took the actions that are listed next. | |
| 206 | EST | 2 | 9 | zcb9 | bita-hq | וַתִּיטַ֨ב הַנַּעֲרָ֣ה בְעֵינָיו֮ | 1 | the young woman was pleasing in his eyes | Here **eyes** figuratively represent seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. In this context, the phrase probably means that Hegai thought that Esther was either an attractive woman or a pleasant person, or both. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 207 | EST | 2 | 9 | f8i8 | הַנַּעֲרָ֣ה | 1 | the young woman | This means Esther. You should make sure that this is clear in your translation. | |
| 208 | EST | 2 | 9 | jd75 | בְעֵינָיו֮ | 1 | in his eyes | Here **his** means Hegai. You should make sure that this clear in your translation. | |
| 209 | EST | 2 | 9 | jd77 | bita-hq | וַתִּשָּׂ֣א חֶ֣סֶד לְפָנָיו֒ | 1 | and she lifted kindness before his face | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. To say that she “lifted kindness before his face” is a rare expression in Hebrew, and the exact meaning is uncertain. In this context, it could even suggest that Esther and Hegai became friends. Alternate translation: “she won his favor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 210 | EST | 2 | 9 | jd79 | לְפָנָיו֒ | 1 | before his face | Here **his** means Hegai. You should make sure that this clear in your translation. | |
| 211 | EST | 2 | 9 | abc1 | translate-unknown | תַּמְרוּקֶ֤יהָ | 1 | her ointments | Alternate translation: “her beauty treatments,” as in 2:3. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 212 | EST | 2 | 9 | abc2 | מָנוֹתֶ֨הָ֙ | 1 | her portions of food | In context, this likely means that Hegai made sure that Esther was served good food that would keep her healthy. | |
| 213 | EST | 2 | 9 | abc3 | שֶׁ֣בַע הַנְּעָר֔וֹת הָרְאֻי֥וֹת לָֽתֶת־לָ֖הּ מִבֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | gave her seven young women chosen from the house of the king | This means that Hegai chose seven female servants from the king's palace and assigned them to take care of Esther. | |
| 214 | EST | 2 | 9 | abc4 | וַיְשַׁנֶּ֧הָ וְאֶת־נַעֲרוֹתֶ֛יהָ | 1 | And he transferred her and her young women | **Her** means Esther, and “her young women” means the female attendants Hegai assigned to her. | |
| 215 | EST | 2 | 9 | abc5 | לְט֖וֹב בֵּ֥ית הַנָּשִֽׁים | 1 | to the best of the house of women | “to the best rooms in the harem for virgins” | |
| 216 | EST | 2 | 10 | abc6 | לֹא־הִגִּ֣ידָה אֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֶת־עַמָּ֖הּ וְאֶת־מֽוֹלַדְתָּ֑הּ | 1 | Esther had not told her people or ancestry | This means that Esther had not told anyone this information about herself. | |
| 217 | EST | 2 | 10 | abc7 | figs-doublet | אֶת־עַמָּ֖הּ וְאֶת־מֽוֹלַדְתָּ֑הּ | 1 | her people or her ancestry | These two short phrases mean almost the same thing. They are used together to emphasize that Esther followed Mordecai’s instructions exactly. You could combine them, as UST does, and say something like “what people group she was from.” Alternate translation: “Esther did not tell anyone that she was a Jew, and she did not tell anyone who her relatives were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 218 | EST | 2 | 10 | abc8 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּ֧י מָרְדֳּכַ֛י צִוָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ | 1 | for Mordecai had laid a charge upon her | This is background information that explains why Esther did not tell anyone about her family or nationality. So you can put it first in the verse if that is clearer in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 219 | EST | 2 | 10 | abc9 | צִוָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ | 1 | had laid a charge upon her | This means that Mordecai had gotten her to promise not to do it. | |
| 220 | EST | 2 | 11 | jd81 | figs-idiom | וּבְכָל־י֣וֹם וָי֔וֹם | 1 | And always day by day | Alternate translation: “Each and every day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 221 | EST | 2 | 11 | abd1 | מָרְדֳּכַי֙ מִתְהַלֵּ֔ךְ | 1 | Mordecai was walking about | Express this in the way your language describes habitual action, for example, “Mordecai would walk around.” | |
| 222 | EST | 2 | 11 | jd83 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֖י חֲצַ֣ר | 1 | before the face of the courtyard | Here **face** figuratively means the front of a place. So you could say “in front of the courtyard.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 223 | EST | 2 | 11 | abd2 | בֵּית־הַנָּשִׁ֑ים | 1 | the house of women | “the harem for virgins” | |
| 224 | EST | 2 | 11 | abd3 | grammar-connect-logic-result | לָדַ֨עַת֙ אֶת־שְׁל֣וֹם אֶסְתֵּ֔ר וּמַה־יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה בָּֽהּ | 1 | in order to know the welfare of Esther and what was being done with her | This is background information that explains why Mordecai would walk around in front of the courtyard. It was so that he could ask people who were going in to or coming out of the courtyard how Esther was doing. You can put this first in the verse because it explains the rest of what is said, if that would be clearer in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 225 | EST | 2 | 11 | nz1p | שְׁל֣וֹם אֶסְתֵּ֔ר | 1 | the welfare of Esther | “how Esther was doing” or “about Esther’s well-being” | |
| 226 | EST | 2 | 11 | abd4 | figs-parallelism | שְׁל֣וֹם אֶסְתֵּ֔ר וּמַה־יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה בָּֽהּ | 1 | the welfare of Esther and what was being done with her | These two phrases mean similar things. The story is using the repetition to emphasize how concerned Mordecai was for Esther. You could combine them, as UST does. Alternate translation: “how Esther was doing and what was happening with her” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 227 | EST | 2 | 12 | jcj8 | writing-background | וּבְהַגִּ֡יעַ | 1 | Now when…came | Verses 12 to 14 are background information about how the virgins who were gathered for the king became his concubines. These verses are not specifically about Esther, but about the women in general. Use a connecting word or a phrase such as “This is how virgins became concubines for the king” so that your readers will know that this is background information.(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 228 | EST | 2 | 12 | jd85 | figs-idiom | נַעֲרָ֨ה וְנַעֲרָ֜ה | 1 | young woman by young woman | Alternate translation: “each one of the young women.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 229 | EST | 2 | 12 | abd5 | figs-explicit | וּבְהַגִּ֡יעַ תֹּר֩…לָב֣וֹא ׀ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ | 1 | when the turn came…to go to the king Ahasuerus | Each of these young women was going to have sexual relations with the king and, as a result, legally become one of his concubines, that is, one of his secondary wives. As the story has already explained, he would then choose one of them to become his queen and primary wife. But the king would still provide for each of the concubines for the rest of her life. They would not be free to marry anyone else. This is something that the story’s original audience would have understood implicitly. You can say it explicitly if your readers need this information to understand the story: “Each young woman in the harem, one at a time, was going to have sexual relations with King Ahasuerus and become one of his concubines” or “one of his secondary wives.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 230 | EST | 2 | 12 | abd6 | מִקֵּץ֩ הֱי֨וֹת לָ֜הּ…שְׁנֵ֣ים עָשָׂ֣ר חֹ֔דֶשׁ | 1 | it was after her 12 months | This means that before her turn came, each woman received a full year of beauty treatments. | |
| 231 | EST | 2 | 12 | p7i5 | translate-unknown | כְּדָ֤ת הַנָּשִׁים֙ | 1 | according to the law of women | Here **law** probably does not mean so much a legal decree as a regimen that had been developed. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 232 | EST | 2 | 12 | abd7 | writing-background | כִּ֛י כֵּ֥ן יִמְלְא֖וּ יְמֵ֣י מְרוּקֵיהֶ֑ן | 1 | For thus the days of their beautification would be fulfilled | This phrase indicates that the story is now going to provide background information on how these treatments were done. It means, “This is how these women would spend the time preparing to go to the king.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 233 | EST | 2 | 12 | abd8 | figs-explicit | שִׁשָּׁ֤ה חֳדָשִׁים֙ בְּשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמֹּ֔ר | 1 | six months by oil of myrrh | This means that a woman’s attendants would rub her body with olive oil mixed with myrrh every day for six months. You can explain this in more detail if your readers need this information to understand the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 234 | EST | 2 | 12 | abd9 | בְּשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמֹּ֔ר | 1 | by oil of myrrh | This likely means “olive oil mixed with myrrh.” | |
| 235 | EST | 2 | 12 | zhd1 | translate-unknown | וּבְתַמְרוּקֵ֖י הַנָּשִֽׁים | 1 | and by the ointments of women | This means lotions designed for women. In 2:3 and 2:9, this one specific part of the program seems to be used figuratively to mean all of it, and so in those verses it can be translated “beauty treatments.” But it should be translated with a specific term or phrase here, such as “women’s lotions” or “feminine ointments,” because it is named along with oils and perfumes as one component of the treatment. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 236 | EST | 2 | 13 | abd0 | וּבָזֶ֕ה | 1 | Then at this | “After a woman’s year of beauty treatments was completed” | |
| 237 | EST | 2 | 13 | abe0 | הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה בָּאָ֣ה אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | the young woman would go to the king | This means that the young woman would go and have sexual relations with the king and thereby become one of his concubines. If your readers need this information to understand the story, you could explain that here, if you did not do so in verse 12. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) | |
| 238 | EST | 2 | 13 | abe1 | figs-explicit | כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֹּאמַ֜ר יִנָּ֤תֵֽן לָהּ֙ | 1 | Anything that she said would be given to her | “Anything” most likely refers to clothing and jewelry. This phrase probably means that a woman could take any of those that she wanted from the harem for virgins and wear them when she went to the king’s palace. You could say that explicitly, for example, “A young woman could take whatever clothing and jewelry she wanted from the harem for virgins and wear them when she went to the king’s palace.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 239 | EST | 2 | 13 | v133 | figs-activepassive | כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֹּאמַ֜ר יִנָּ֤תֵֽן לָהּ֙ | 1 | Anything that she said would be given to her | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “she could take whatever she wanted” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 240 | EST | 2 | 13 | abe2 | מִבֵּ֥ית הַנָּשִׁ֖ים | 1 | the house of women | “the harem for virgins” | |
| 241 | EST | 2 | 13 | abe3 | בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | the house of the king | “the king’s rooms” or “the king’s house” or “the king’s palace” | |
| 242 | EST | 2 | 14 | abe4 | הִ֣יא בָאָ֗ה | 1 | she would go | She would not walk over on her own. Rather, the king’s servants would come and bring her to the king’s private quarters, in the way that they were told to bring Vashti to the banquet in 1:11. You can say this explicitly if it would help your readers to understand the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) | |
| 243 | EST | 2 | 14 | ded5 | figs-explicit | וּ֠בַבֹּקֶר הִ֣יא שָׁבָ֞ה | 1 | and in the morning she would return to | It is implied that this is the following morning. This information can be made clear. Once again, she would not go on her own. Alternate translation: “the next morning the king’s servants would bring her to” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 244 | EST | 2 | 14 | lq9h | translate-ordinal | בֵּ֤ית הַנָּשִׁים֙ שֵׁנִ֔י | 1 | the second house of women | Alternate translations: “a different house for women” or “the harem for concubines” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 245 | EST | 2 | 14 | yw63 | אֶל־יַ֧ד שַֽׁעֲשְׁגַ֛ז סְרִ֥יס הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים | 1 | into the hand of Shaashgaz, the eunuch of the king who was overseer of the concubines | “to where Shaashgaz,…concubines would take care of her” | |
| 246 | EST | 2 | 14 | ze74 | bita-hq | אֶל־יַ֧ד שַֽׁעֲשְׁגַ֛ז סְרִ֥יס הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים | 1 | into the hand of Shaashgaz | Here **hand** is a metaphor meaning power, control, or authority. Hegai was the overseer of the virgins. As the overseer of the concubines, Shaashgaz would be the one responsible for Esther while she was in the harem for concubines. Alternate translation: “under the custody of Shaashgaz” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 247 | EST | 2 | 14 | q5yx | translate-names | שַֽׁעֲשְׁגַ֛ז | 1 | Shaashgaz | This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 248 | EST | 2 | 14 | abe5 | translate-unknown | סְרִ֥יס הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ | 1 | the eunuch of the king | See translated this term “eunuch” in 1:10. You could say “royal” instead of “of the king.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 249 | EST | 2 | 14 | abe6 | שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים | 1 | the overseer of the concubines | This means that Shaashgaz was “the official who took care of the concubines” or who was “responsible for the concubines.” | |
| 250 | EST | 2 | 14 | abe7 | figs-explicit | הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים | 1 | the concubines | As a concubine, the young woman was one of the king’s secondary wives. She would live in this harem for the rest of her life. She was not free to return to her family or to marry anybody else. If it would help your readers to understand the story, you could explain all or part of this to your readers here, if you did not do so in 2:12 or 2:13. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 251 | EST | 2 | 14 | abe8 | לֹא־תָב֥וֹא עוֹד֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | She would not go to the king again | Alternate translation: “She would not go and see the king again.” In verse 12, the Note mentioned that “go to the king” meant “have sexual relations with the king.” But for this occurrence of the expression, it is appropriate to use a phrase suggesting that there would be a larger social component to a further visit. The woman would now be a secondary wife, and the king would only send for her if he decided that he enjoyed being with her. | |
| 252 | EST | 2 | 14 | abe9 | חָפֵ֥ץ בָּ֛הּ | 1 | had delighted in her | This means that he “had enjoyed being with her” or that she “had pleased the king very much.” | |
| 253 | EST | 2 | 14 | abf0 | figs-activepassive | וְנִקְרְאָ֥ה בְשֵֽׁם | 1 | and she was called by name | You can say this with an active form, for example, “and the king asked for her by name” or “and called for her by name.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 254 | EST | 2 | 15 | fiy8 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | וּבְהַגִּ֣יעַ תֹּר־אֶסְתֵּ֣ר…לָב֣וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | Now when the turn of Esther…came to go to the king | The story resumes here after the background information that was provided in verses 12-14 about what the women in the harem did when they became concubines of the king. A contrast is being drawn. A young woman could take any clothing and jewelry she wanted from the harem. But Esther only asked for what Hegai recommended. So it would be good to introduce this episode with a word such as “but” that draws a contrast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 255 | EST | 2 | 15 | jk51 | figs-informremind | בַּת־אֲבִיחַ֣יִל דֹּ֣ד מָרְדֳּכַ֡י אֲשֶׁר֩ לָקַֽח־ל֨וֹ לְבַ֜ת | 1 | the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for him as a daughter | This background information reminds the reader who Esther was by describing her relationship to Mordecai. You could move this to the end of the verse and put it in parentheses, as UST does, so that you don’t break up the flow of the contrast that is being drawn. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 256 | EST | 2 | 15 | mg8y | translate-names | אֲבִיחַ֣יִל | 1 | Abihail | This man was Esther’s father and Mordecai’s uncle. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 257 | EST | 2 | 15 | qx3u | figs-doublenegatives | לֹ֤א בִקְשָׁה֙ דָּבָ֔ר כִּ֠י אִ֣ם אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאמַ֛ר הֵגַ֥י | 1 | she did not ask for anything except what Hegai…said | You can state this in a positive form: “she asked only for” Alternate translation: “she did not ask for anything else to wear except.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]]) |
| 258 | EST | 2 | 15 | vw9r | אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאמַ֛ר הֵגַ֥י | 1 | what Hegai…said | “what Hegai recommended” or “what Hegai suggested” | |
| 259 | EST | 2 | 15 | abf1 | figs-explicit | אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאמַ֛ר הֵגַ֥י | 1 | what Hegai…said | As the king’s personal servant, Hegai would have known what kind of clothing and jewelry Ahasuerus found attractive on a woman. By following his advice, Esther showed that she trusted Hegai. This is implicit information that you can make explicit if it would help the reader to understand the story. You might say, for example, as UST does: “Hegai knew the king’s preferences because he was his personal servant. Esther had come to trust Hegai and so she followed his advice.” This could go at the end of the verse, once again to preserve the flow of the contrast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 260 | EST | 2 | 15 | abf2 | figs-informremind | סְרִיס־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַנָּשִׁ֑ים | 1 | the eunuch of the king who was overseer of the women | This is saying that Hegai was the royal official responsible for the women the harem for virgins. This is background information that reminds the reader who Hegai was by describing his responsibilities. You could also move this to the end of the verse and put it in parentheses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 261 | EST | 2 | 15 | abf3 | translate-unknown | סְרִיס־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַנָּשִׁ֑ים | 1 | the eunuch of the king | See how you decided to translate the term “eunuch” in 1:10. You could say “royal” for “of the king.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 262 | EST | 2 | 15 | abf4 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | וַתְּהִ֤י אֶסְתֵּר֙ נֹשֵׂ֣את חֵ֔ן בְּעֵינֵ֖י כָּל־רֹאֶֽיהָ | 1 | And Esther was a lifter of favor in the eyes of every man who saw her. | Another contrast is possibly being drawn. Even though Esther only asked for what Hegai recommended, everyone was still impressed by the way she looked. So you could use a word such as “nevertheless” or “still” that draws a contrast. On the other hand, perhaps people were just impressed with her simple beauty because she didn’t try to be gaudy. They may also have been impressed with Hegai’s skill with her ensemble. You can decide whether it would help your readers to suggest a contrast here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 263 | EST | 2 | 15 | z519 | figs-idiom | נֹשֵׂ֣את חֵ֔ן בְּעֵינֵ֖י כָּל־רֹאֶֽיהָ | 1 | a lifter of favor in the eyes of every man who saw her | This is a rare expression in Hebrew, and the exact meaning is uncertain. In this context, the expression probably means that everyone who saw Esther dressed in the clothes she would wear for her visit to the king was very impressed with the way she looked. Alternate translation: “pleased all” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 264 | EST | 2 | 15 | jd87 | bita-hq | בְּעֵינֵ֖י | 1 | in the eyes of | Here **eyes** is a metonym for seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. In this context, the phrase probably means that all the men who saw Esther thought that she was either an attractive woman or a pleasant person, or both. Alternate translation: “The young girl greatly pleased him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 265 | EST | 2 | 15 | jd89 | figs-gendernotations | כָּל־רֹאֶֽיהָ | 1 | every man who saw her | This phrase can mean either every man or every person who saw her. Alternate translation: “everyone who saw her” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 266 | EST | 2 | 16 | jd91 | figs-activepassive | וַתִּלָּקַ֨ח אֶסְתֵּ֜ר | 1 | So Esther was taken | You can say this with an active form, for example, “The king's servants brought Esther.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 267 | EST | 2 | 16 | abf5 | figs-abstractnouns | אֶל־בֵּ֣ית מַלְכוּת֔וֹ | 1 | to the house of his royalty | You can use an adjective to translate the abstract noun **royalty**, for example, “in his royal palace” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 268 | EST | 2 | 16 | jd92 | translate-ordinal | בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִ֖י | 1 | in the tenth month | Alternate translation: “month ten” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 269 | EST | 2 | 16 | jr5s | translate-hebrewmonths | הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ טֵבֵ֑ת | 1 | which is the month of Tebeth | “Tebeth” is the name of the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 270 | EST | 2 | 16 | abf6 | חֹ֣דֶשׁ טֵבֵ֑ת | 1 | the month of Tebeth | The story is being recorded from the perspective of the Persian court. But for the benefit of its intended Jewish audience, the Hebrew name of the month is given. | |
| 271 | EST | 2 | 16 | abf7 | translate-unknown | חֹ֣דֶשׁ טֵבֵ֑ת | 1 | the month of Tebeth | You could convert the Hebrew days and months into approximate dates on the calendar that your culture uses. However, the Jews used a lunar calendar, so if you use a solar calendar, the dates will be different every year and the translation will not be quite accurate. So you may just want to give the Hebrew days and months. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 272 | EST | 2 | 16 | x6yg | translate-ordinal | בִּשְׁנַת־שֶׁ֖בַע לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ | 1 | in the seventh year of his reign | Alternate translation: “during the seventh year of the reign of Ahasuerus as king of Persia” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 273 | EST | 2 | 17 | p3s7 | figs-parallelism | וַיֶּאֱהַ֨ב הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֶת־אֶסְתֵּר֙ מִכָּל־הַנָּשִׁ֔ים וַתִּשָּׂא־חֵ֥ן וָחֶ֛סֶד לְפָנָ֖יו מִכָּל־הַבְּתוּלֹ֑ת | 1 | And the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she lifted both favor and kindness before his face more than all the other virgins | These two phrases mean almost the same thing. The information is given twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize that Ahasuerus was completely convinced that Esther was the one he should make his queen. “More than all the virgins” basically duplicates the meaning of “more than all the women,” so, if this duplication would be confusing in your language, you don’t need to include both phrases (unless you want your translation to capture something of the Hebrew storytelling style). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 274 | EST | 2 | 17 | abf8 | figs-explicit | מִכָּל־הַנָּשִׁ֔ים | 1 | more than all the women | This means all the other women who had been brought to the king and become his concubines. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 275 | EST | 2 | 17 | bcu8 | figs-idiom | וַתִּשָּׂא־חֵ֥ן וָחֶ֛סֶד לְפָנָ֖יו | 1 | And she lifted both favor and kindness before his face | This is a rare expression in Hebrew, and the exact meaning is uncertain. See how you translated similar phrases in 2:9 and 2:15. Review the explanation there if that would be helpful. In this context, it probably means that King Ahasuerus was very impressed with both Esther’s appearance and her personality. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 276 | EST | 2 | 17 | abf9 | figs-doublet | וַתִּשָּׂא־חֵ֥ן וָחֶ֛סֶד לְפָנָ֖יו | 1 | And she lifted both favor and kindness before his face | **Favor** and **kindness** mean similar things and are probably used together here to strengthen a single idea. Alternate translation: “he was very pleased with her” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 277 | EST | 2 | 17 | jd93 | figs-metonymy | לְפָנָ֖יו | 1 | before his face | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 278 | EST | 2 | 17 | sym3 | translate-symaction | וַיָּ֤שֶׂם כֶּֽתֶר־מַלְכוּת֙ בְּרֹאשָׁ֔הּ | 1 | So he set a crown of royalty on her head | Ahasuerus did this to show that he was making Esther his queen. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]]) |
| 279 | EST | 2 | 17 | abg0 | figs-abstractnouns | כֶּֽתֶר־מַלְכוּת֙ | 1 | a crown of royalty | You can use an adjective to translate the abstract noun “royalty,” for example, “a royal crown.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 280 | EST | 2 | 18 | abg1 | figs-explicit | וַיַּ֨עַשׂ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ מִשְׁתֶּ֣ה גָד֗וֹל | 1 | Then the king made a great feast | The king did this to celebrate Esther becoming the queen. You can say this explicitly, for example, “Then, to celebrate her becoming the queen, the king hosted a great feast.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 281 | EST | 2 | 18 | b1hd | translate-names | מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה אֶסְתֵּ֑ר | 1 | the feast of Esther | You should indicate to your readers this is the name that Ahasuerus gave to the feast, for example, “He called it ‘Esther's Feast.’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 282 | EST | 2 | 18 | ufm8 | translate-unknown | וַהֲנָחָ֤ה לַמְּדִינוֹת֙ עָשָׂ֔ה | 1 | And he made a holiday for the provinces | This was probably a “tax holiday,” that is, a remission of taxes. For a time, the provinces did not have to send in the usual taxes to the king. You could say something like “he proclaimed a temporary reprieve from taxes for all the provinces of his empire.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 283 | EST | 2 | 18 | jd95 | bita-hq | כְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | according to the hand of the king | Here **hand** figuratively represents the action of doing or giving. The phrase means that King Ahasuerus personally gave lavish gifts to the guests at this feast. You could say something like “with royal generosity” or “with great willingness to give” or “with generosity that only a king can give.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 284 | EST | 2 | 19 | g38f | grammar-connect-time-sequential | וּבְהִקָּבֵ֥ץ בְּתוּל֖וֹת שֵׁנִ֑ית | 1 | Now when virgins were being gathered a second time | Since this happened some time after Esther’s Feast, you can show this by using a connecting phrase such as “some time later.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]]) |
| 285 | EST | 2 | 19 | p842 | figs-explicit | וּבְהִקָּבֵ֥ץ בְּתוּל֖וֹת שֵׁנִ֑ית | 1 | Now when virgins were being gathered a second time | The most likely explanation for this is that Ahasuerus decided he would like to have more concubines. You can say this explicitly if it will help the readers to understand the story. He probably believed that having a large number of concubines was another thing that would show he was a great king. To do so, you could add: “because Ahasuerus decided that he would like to have more concubines.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 286 | EST | 2 | 19 | abg2 | figs-activepassive | וּבְהִקָּבֵ֥ץ בְּתוּל֖וֹת שֵׁנִ֑ית | 1 | Now when virgins were being gathered a second time | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action, for example, “at the time when the king's officers were gathering virgins for a second time.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 287 | EST | 2 | 19 | ang3 | grammar-connect-time-simultaneous | וּבְהִקָּבֵ֥ץ בְּתוּל֖וֹת שֵׁנִ֑ית וּמָרְדֳּכַ֖י | 1 | Now when…were being gathered…Mordecai…then | This indicates that the information about Mordecai explains what he was doing at this same time. You can use a phrase such as “during this time” to indicate this. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]]) |
| 288 | EST | 2 | 19 | a23f | figs-idiom | וּמָרְדֳּכַ֖י יֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּשַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | Mordecai was then sitting at the gate of the king | Possible meanings are: (1) Mordecai sat there so he could hear about how Esther was doing from the many people who passed through the gate. (2) **Sitting at the king’s gate** is an idiom meaning that Mordecai worked for the king in some capacity and was stationed at the gate. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 289 | EST | 2 | 19 | i8in | בְּשַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | at the gate of the king | “the gate to the king’s house” or “the gate to the king’s palace” | |
| 290 | EST | 2 | 20 | abg4 | אֵ֣ין אֶסְתֵּ֗ר מַגֶּ֤דֶת | 1 | Esther had not yet told | “Esther had still not told anyone” | |
| 291 | EST | 2 | 20 | abg5 | figs-doublet | מֽוֹלַדְתָּהּ֙ וְאֶת־עַמָּ֔הּ | 1 | her ancestry (that is, her people) | These two short phrases mean almost the same thing. They are used together to emphasize that Esther followed Mordecai’s instructions exactly. You could combine them, as UST does. Alternate translation: “who her relatives were or that she was a Jew” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 292 | EST | 2 | 20 | fb39 | כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יהָ מָרְדֳּכָ֑י | 1 | according to the charge that Mordecai had laid upon her | Alternate translation: “just as Mordecai had instructed her” or “as Mordecai had made her promise.” Alternate translation: “because Mordecai had warned her not to tell anyone” | |
| 293 | EST | 2 | 20 | abg6 | וְאֶת־מַאֲמַ֤ר מָרְדֳּכַי֙ אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עֹשָׂ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר הָיְתָ֥ה בְאָמְנָ֖ה אִתּֽוֹ | 1 | And Esther continued to do the command Mordecai, according to how she was with him in her fostering | This means that Esther continued to follow all of Mordecai's instructions, just as she had done when she was growing up in his house. | |
| 294 | EST | 2 | 21 | vi16 | בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם | 1 | In those days | This resumes the story after the background information that is provided in verse 20. Alternate translation: “During that time” (See: Connect - Simultaneous Time Relationship) | |
| 295 | EST | 2 | 21 | abg7 | figs-explicit | וּמָרְדֳּכַ֖י יֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּשַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | when Mordecai was sitting at the gate of the king | It is implicit in the story that Mordecai heard the two men talking who are named right afterwards. You can say this explicitly if it helps the readers to understand this part of the story. To do so, add: “he heard two men talking.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 296 | EST | 2 | 21 | abg8 | figs-idiom | יֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּשַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | was sitting at the gate of the king | As in verse 19, this is likely an idiom that means that Mordecai worked for the king in some capacity and was stationed at the gate, where officials met to make important decisions. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 297 | EST | 2 | 21 | y2vl | translate-names | בִּגְתָ֨ן וָתֶ֜רֶשׁ | 1 | Bigthan and Teresh | These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 298 | EST | 2 | 21 | abg9 | translate-unknown | שְׁנֵֽי־סָרִיסֵ֤י הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ | 1 | two eunuchs of the king | See how you translated this term in 1:10. For the phrase **of the king**, you can say “royal.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 299 | EST | 2 | 21 | abh0 | מִשֹּׁמְרֵ֣י הַסַּ֔ף | 1 | who were guardians of the doorway | In this case the men were not guardians of one of the harems but guardians of the king’s private rooms. You could say that they “guarded the doorway to the king's private rooms” or “protected the doorway to the king's private quarters.” | |
| 300 | EST | 2 | 21 | abh1 | bita-humanbehavior | וַיְבַקְשׁוּ֙ | 1 | and they sought | Here **seeking** figuratively means actively trying to do something. Alternate translation: “they had planned” or “they had tried” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 301 | EST | 2 | 21 | jd97 | figs-idiom | לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ יָ֔ד | 1 | to stretch out a hand | Here the expression “to stretch out a hand” means to cause someone physical harm with the intention of killing him. You could say that “they were planning to assassinate him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 302 | EST | 2 | 22 | y7tv | figs-activepassive | וַיִּוָּדַ֤ע הַדָּבָר֙ לְמָרְדֳּכַ֔י | 1 | But the matter was made known to Mordecai | You can say this with an active form, for example, “Mordecai found out what they were planning” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 303 | EST | 2 | 22 | abh2 | וַיַּגֵּ֖ד לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה | 1 | so he told it to Esther the queen | This means that he told Queen Esther about it somehow. | |
| 304 | EST | 2 | 22 | dgp3 | figs-idiom | בְּשֵׁ֥ם מָרְדֳּכָֽי | 1 | in the name of Mordecai | This expression means that Esther passed the information along to King Ahasuerus on Mordecai’s behalf or that she told the king the information had come from him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 305 | EST | 2 | 23 | abh3 | grammar-connect-time-sequential | וַיְבֻקַּ֤שׁ הַדָּבָר֙ וַיִּמָּצֵ֔א וַיִּתָּל֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־עֵ֑ץ | 1 | Then the matter was sought out and was found out, and the two of them were hanged on a tree. | This verse tells what happened next after Esther gave the information to the king. You should use a word such as “then” to indicate this. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]]) |
| 306 | EST | 2 | 23 | ld4y | figs-activepassive | וַיְבֻקַּ֤שׁ הַדָּבָר֙ וַיִּמָּצֵ֔א | 1 | Then the matter was sought out and was found out | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action, for example, “Then the king investigated Mordecai's report and found out that it was true, and he hanged the two of them on a wooden pole.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 307 | EST | 2 | 23 | abh4 | figs-activepassive | וַיִּתָּל֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־עֵ֑ץ | 1 | the two of them were hanged on a tree | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “the king ordered his servants to impale those two men on wooden poles” or “the king ordered his servants to hang those two men on a gallows” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 308 | EST | 2 | 23 | y28j | bita-plants | עַל־עֵ֑ץ | 1 | on a tree | Here **tree** figuratively represents some kind of pole or structure made from wood. This would be used to kill a person by suspending them above the ground. This might mean (1) by impaling them, that is, by sticking a sharp point on one end of the pole through their body, or (2) by hanging them with a rope tied around the neck. So you could translate this as “a wooden pole” or “a gallows.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 309 | EST | 2 | 23 | g9nh | figs-activepassive | וַיִּכָּתֵ֗ב | 1 | And it was written | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action, for example, “The king’s scribes recorded an account of this.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 310 | EST | 2 | 23 | abh5 | figs-idiom | בְּסֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים | 1 | the book of the events of days | This is an idiom that describes a regular record of the events in a king’s reign. You could call this “the royal chronicles.” Alternate translation: “the daily record book” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 311 | EST | 2 | 23 | abh6 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | before the face of the king | Here **face** refers figuratively to the presence of a person. The phrase means that the scribes wrote this account while King Ahasuerus was personally present. You could say that they did this “in the king’s presence.” Alternate translation: “The king watched a scribe write this down.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 312 | EST | 3 | intro | zb26 | 0 | # Esther 03 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Haman plots against the Jews<br><br>Mordecai considered prostrating himself before Haman. This would be considered to be worship. It was wrong to worship someone other than Yahweh. Because of this, he refused to do it on religious grounds. This made Haman angry so he decided to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire.<br> | |||
| 313 | EST | 3 | 1 | mm4c | writing-newevent | אַחַ֣ר׀ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה | 1 | After these things | This introduces a new event in the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) |
| 314 | EST | 3 | 1 | abh7 | grammar-connect-time-sequential | אַחַ֣ר׀ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה | 1 | After these things | This event happened some time after Esther became queen, and you can show this by using a connecting phrase such as “some time later.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]]) |
| 315 | EST | 3 | 1 | ir5v | translate-names | הָמָ֧ן | 1 | Haman | This is a man’s name. It occurs many times in the story. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 316 | EST | 3 | 1 | abh8 | translate-names | בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֛תָא הָאֲגָגִ֖י | 1 | the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite | These are the names of Haman’s father and Haman’s people group. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 317 | EST | 3 | 1 | abh9 | figs-explicit | גִּדַּל֩…אֲחַשְׁוֵר֜וֹשׁ אֶת־הָמָ֧ן | 1 | Ahasuerus made Haman…great | This means that Ahasuerus promoted Haman. It’s implied in the story that Haman was already one of Ahasuerus’s officials, but that he was now being promoted to a higher position. You could say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 318 | EST | 3 | 1 | abi0 | figs-doublet | וַֽיְנַשְּׂאֵ֑הוּ וַיָּ֨שֶׂם֙ אֶת־כִּסְא֔וֹ מֵעַ֕ל כָּל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים | 1 | He lifted him up and placed his seat of authority from over all the officials | These two phrases mean the same thing. They are used together to emphasize that the king was making Haman very powerful. You could combine them as UST does. Alternate translation: “the king promoted Haman and gave him a very high position” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 319 | EST | 3 | 1 | pl9i | bita-humanbehavior | וַֽיְנַשְּׂאֵ֑הוּ | 1 | He lifted him up | Here **lifting** is a metaphor meaning to “advance” or “promote” a person to a higher, more important position than they had previously. Alternate translation: “He gave him a more important position” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-part1]]) |
| 320 | EST | 3 | 1 | ptm4 | figs-idiom | כִּסְא֔וֹ | 1 | his seat of authority | Here **seat of authority** means Haman’s position or status in the Persian government. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 321 | EST | 3 | 1 | abi1 | figs-abstractnouns | כִּסְא֔וֹ | 1 | his seat of authority | You can translate the abstract noun “authority” by using a concrete noun for this whole phrase, for example, “position” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 322 | EST | 3 | 1 | abi2 | מֵעַ֕ל כָּל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ | 1 | from over all the officials who were with him | **Him** refers to the king. You could say that “the king promoted him above the other officials” or “gave him more authority than all the other officials” or that “Haman became more important than all his other officials.” | |
| 323 | EST | 3 | 2 | abi3 | figs-synecdoche | וְכָל־עַבְדֵ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | Then all the servants of the king who were at the gate of the king | Here the **gate of the king**, probably the entrance to the citadel, may figuratively represent the citadel itself, the place where these officials served the king. The citadel, in turn, would represent everyone who served the king. So you could say just “all the king’s other officials.” However, this may also be a reference to the specific group of officials who were stationed at the gate, the way Mordecai was. Alternate translation: “the royal officials who were stationed at the palace gate.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 324 | EST | 3 | 2 | abi4 | figs-explicit | וְכָל־עַבְדֵ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ…כֹּרְעִ֤ים וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ לְהָמָ֔ן | 1 | all the servants of the king…were bowing down and prostrating themselves to Haman | The officials were required to do this whenever Haman walked by, as a way of honoring him. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 325 | EST | 3 | 2 | e25k | translate-symaction | כֹּרְעִ֤ים וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ | 1 | were bowing down and prostrating themselves | This means that the other officials humbled themselves and lay flat on the ground before Haman. These actions represented recognition and respect for the very high position that the king had given him in the Persian government. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]]) |
| 326 | EST | 3 | 2 | abi5 | figs-doublet | כֹּרְעִ֤ים וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ | 1 | were bowing down and prostrating themselves | These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that the officials knew how important it was to obey the king’s command and honor Haman in this way. You could combine them as UST does and say something like “bow down all the way to the ground.” Alternate translation: “bowing and lying down on the ground” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 327 | EST | 3 | 2 | fg8v | וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ לְהָמָ֔ן | 1 | and prostrating themselves to Haman | This means bowing down all the way to the ground. | |
| 328 | EST | 3 | 2 | jd99 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּי־כֵ֖ן צִוָּה־ל֣וֹ | 1 | for thus the king had commanded concerning him | You can put this information first in the verse if that would be clearer in your language, because it explains the reason why all the other officials were bowing to Haman. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 329 | EST | 3 | 2 | abi6 | figs-explicit | כִּי־כֵ֖ן צִוָּה־ל֣וֹ | 1 | for thus the king had commanded concerning him | The king did this as a sign of Haman’s new position. Alternate translation: “The king had commanded them to do this in order to show that he had given Haman such a high position.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 330 | EST | 3 | 2 | abi7 | figs-parallelism | וּמָ֨רְדֳּכַ֔י לֹ֥א יִכְרַ֖ע וְלֹ֥א יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶֽה | 1 | But Mordecai would neither bow down nor would he prostrate himself | These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how serious an offense this was against the king’s command, and how much determination it took for Mordecai to remain standing. You could combine these phrases as UST does and say, “But Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman.” Alternate translation: “Mordecai did not bow down or lie on the ground.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 331 | EST | 3 | 2 | abi8 | figs-explicit | וּמָ֨רְדֳּכַ֔י לֹ֥א יִכְרַ֖ע וְלֹ֥א יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶֽה | 1 | But Mordecai would neither bow down nor would he prostrate himself | It appears that as a Jew, Mordecai considered it wrong to worship anyone other than Yahweh, and that he believed it would be worshipping Haman if he bowed down low to the ground to honor him. So he refused to bow down, on religious grounds. You can say this explicitly if it would make your translation clearer. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 332 | EST | 3 | 3 | abi9 | עַבְדֵ֥י הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ | 1 | the servants of the king who were at the gate of the king | See how you translated this expression at the beginning of verse 2. | |
| 333 | EST | 3 | 3 | abj0 | figs-explicit | וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ…לְמָרְדֳּכָ֑י | 1 | said to Mordecai | They spoke to Mordecai because they saw that he did not bow down. You can say this explicitly if that would be clearer in your language, for example, “The other officials saw that, and they asked Mordecai.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 334 | EST | 3 | 3 | abj1 | מַדּ֨וּעַ֙ אַתָּ֣ה עוֹבֵ֔ר אֵ֖ת מִצְוַ֥ת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | Why are you trespassing the command of the king? | “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?” or “Why are you not obeying what the king commanded?” | |
| 335 | EST | 3 | 4 | jd3r | figs-explicit | באמרם אֵלָיו֙ | 1 | when they spoke to him | This means that they spoke to him about not bowing down. Specifically, they warned him that he would be severely punished if he kept disobeying the king and not honoring his highest official. You can say that explicitly if it would be clearer in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 336 | EST | 3 | 4 | jd1r | figs-idiom | י֣וֹם וָי֔וֹם | 1 | day by day | This expression means “every day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 337 | EST | 3 | 4 | abj2 | וַיְהִ֗י באמרם אֵלָיו֙…וְלֹ֥א שָׁמַ֖ע אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם | 1 | Now it happened that, when they spoke…he did not listen to them. | This means that even though the other officials questioned him and probably warned him, he still refused to bow down. | |
| 338 | EST | 3 | 4 | uek4 | bita-humanbehavior | וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לְהָמָ֗ן לִרְאוֹת֙ הֲיַֽעַמְדוּ֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י מָרְדֳּכַ֔י | 1 | So they told Haman to see if the words of Mordecai would stand | In this context, **standing** figuratively means to survive a challenge, and “words” means the reasons that Mordecai gave for his actions. This phrase means that the other officials “told Haman about it, to see if he would tolerate it.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 339 | EST | 3 | 4 | abj3 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥יד לָהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא יְהוּדִֽי | 1 | for he had told them that he was a Jew | This is the answer that Mordecai gave the other officials when they asked him why he refused to bow down to Haman. You can put it first in the verse if that would be clearer in your language, because it explains everything that happens afterwards. Alternate translation: “Mordecai told them that he was a Jew, and that Jews would bow down only to God.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 340 | EST | 3 | 4 | abj4 | figs-explicit | כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥יד לָהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא יְהוּדִֽי | 1 | for he had told them that he was a Jew | Mordecai’s explanation would have included the fact that Jews would only worship Yahweh. You could say that explicitly if that would be clearer in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 341 | EST | 3 | 4 | abj5 | bita-humanbehavior | וַיַּ֣רְא הָמָ֔ן | 1 | The Haman saw | Here **seeing** figuratively means knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. This phrase means that Haman learned about this. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 342 | EST | 3 | 5 | njt5 | figs-parallelism | אֵ֣ין מָרְדֳּכַ֔י כֹּרֵ֥עַ וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה ל֑וֹ | 1 | Mordecai would neither bow down nor prostrate himself to him | These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how serious an offense this was. You could combine them as UST does and say that “Mordecai was refusing to bow down to him.” Alternate translation: “Mordecai would not bow down or lie on the ground.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 343 | EST | 3 | 5 | wk8p | figs-metaphor | וַיִּמָּלֵ֥א הָמָ֖ן חֵמָֽה | 1 | And Haman was filled with rage | Here Haman’s rage is spoken of as something that could fill him up. You could say that he was “furious” or “extremely angry.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 344 | EST | 3 | 6 | k5h9 | figs-activepassive | וַיִּ֣בֶז בְּעֵינָ֗יו | 1 | And it was despised in his eyes | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate Translation: “Haman considered that it was not enough” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 345 | EST | 3 | 6 | abj6 | figs-explicit | וַיִּ֣בֶז בְּעֵינָ֗יו | 1 | And it was despised in his eyes | Haman probably decided to go to such extremes because he was so angry. You could say that explicitly if that would be clearer in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 346 | EST | 3 | 6 | abj7 | וַיִּ֣בֶז | 1 | it was despised | **Despise** in this context means not to hate but to “think little of.” This expression means that Haman decided it would not be enough just to kill Mordecai himself. | |
| 347 | EST | 3 | 6 | jd9r | bita-hq | בְּעֵינָ֗יו | 1 | in his eyes | Here **eyes** stand for “seeing,” and in this case “seeing” figuratively means judgment. This phrase means “in Haman’s judgment.” Alternate translation: “as he saw it.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 348 | EST | 3 | 6 | abj8 | לִשְׁלֹ֤ח יָד֙ בְּמָרְדֳּכַ֣י לְבַדּ֔וֹ | 1 | to stretch out a hand against Mordecai alone | Alternate translation: “he rejected the idea of killing only Mordecai” or “he decided to kill more than just Mordecai” or “he decided that it would not be enough to get rid of only Mordecai.” | |
| 349 | EST | 3 | 6 | j11r | figs-idiom | לִשְׁלֹ֤ח יָד֙ | 1 | to stretch out a hand | As in 2:21, the expression **to stretch out a hand** means to cause someone physical harm with the intention of killing them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 350 | EST | 3 | 6 | abj9 | כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥ידוּ ל֖וֹ אֶת־עַ֣ם מָרְדֳּכָ֑י | 1 | for they had told him the people of Mordecai | **They** means the other royal officials. **Him** refers to Haman. “The people of Mordecai” means the Jews. Mordecai had told these officials that he would not bow down to Haman because Jews worshipped only God. So this means that the other officials had told Haman that Mordecai was not bowing down to him because he was a Jew. | |
| 351 | EST | 3 | 6 | hue9 | bita-humanbehavior | וַיְבַקֵּ֣שׁ הָמָ֗ן לְהַשְׁמִ֧יד | 1 | So Haman sought to annihilate | Here **seeking** figuratively means trying to do something. In this context. this means that “Haman decided that he would try to kill” all the Jews. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 352 | EST | 3 | 6 | abk0 | בְּכָל־מַלְכ֥וּת אֲחַשְׁוֵר֖וֹשׁ | 1 | in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus | This means in the entire empire that King Ahasuerus ruled. | |
| 353 | EST | 3 | 6 | abk1 | figs-doublet | הַיְּהוּדִ֛ים…עַ֥ם מָרְדֳּכָֽי | 1 | the Jews, the people of Mordecai | These two phrases refer to the same group of people. The repetition emphasizes how great the threat was to their existence. You could combine them as UST does and say something like “all of the Jews.” Alternate translation: “Mordecai’s people, the Jews.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 354 | EST | 3 | 7 | zl12 | translate-ordinal | בַּחֹ֤דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן֙ | 1 | In the first month | “In month one” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 355 | EST | 3 | 7 | wyv6 | translate-hebrewmonths | הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֔ן | 1 | which is the month of Nisan | “Nisan” is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 356 | EST | 3 | 7 | abk2 | translate-unknown | חֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֔ן | 1 | the month of Nisan | As in 2:16, you could convert the Hebrew month into an approximate time on the calendar that your culture uses. However, the Jews used a lunar calendar, so if you use a solar calendar, the dates will be different every year and the translation will not be quite accurate. So you may just want to give the Hebrew month. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 357 | EST | 3 | 7 | tw99 | translate-ordinal | בִּשְׁנַת֙ שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ | 1 | in the twelfth year of the king Ahasuerus | Alternate translations: “during the twelfth year of the reign of Ahasuerus as king of Persia” or “when King Ahasuerus had reigned for about twelve years” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 358 | EST | 3 | 7 | abk3 | translate-unknown | הַגּוֹרָ֜ל | 1 | the lot | A “lot” was an object with different markings on various sides that was used, most likely by dropping it on the ground, to select a specific time for doing something. The belief was that God or the gods would control which way the object fell to guide the selection process and favor the action if it were done on the date chosen. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 359 | EST | 3 | 7 | abk4 | figs-activepassive | הִפִּ֣יל פּוּר֩ | 1 | a Pur…was cast | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action, for example, “Haman had his servants cast a Pur” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 360 | EST | 3 | 7 | abk5 | grammar-connect-logic-result | הִפִּ֣יל פּוּר֩ | 1 | a Pur…was cast | You can put this information first if that would be clearer in your language, because it explains the rest of what happens in this verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 361 | EST | 3 | 7 | j13r | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֣י הָמָ֗ן | 1 | before the face of Haman | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. In this context, the phrase means that Haman was physically present when the lot was cast. Alternate translation: “as Haman watched” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 362 | EST | 3 | 7 | j15r | מִיּ֧וֹם ׀ לְי֛וֹם וּמֵחֹ֛דֶשׁ לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ | 1 | from day to day and from month to month | This expression means that the lot was cast to select a particular day of the month and a particular month of the year. | |
| 363 | EST | 3 | 7 | j17r | figs-explicit | מִיּ֧וֹם ׀ לְי֛וֹם וּמֵחֹ֛דֶשׁ לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ | 1 | from day to day and from month to month | Haman was casting the lot to determine the best day and the best month to kill the Jews. You can say that explicitly if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate Translation: “To determine the best day and the best month to kill the Jews.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 364 | EST | 3 | 7 | ih4b | translate-hebrewmonths | שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֥דֶשׁ אֲדָֽר | 1 | the twelfth, which is the month of Adar | “Adar” is the name of the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. This name occurs several times in the story. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 365 | EST | 3 | 7 | abk6 | שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֥דֶשׁ אֲדָֽר | 1 | the twelfth, which is the month of Adar | See how you decided in 2:16 and the first part of this verse to represent the dates that are given in the Hebrew calendar in the book of Esther. | |
| 366 | EST | 3 | 7 | abk7 | figs-explicit | שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֥דֶשׁ אֲדָֽר | 1 | the twelfth, which is the month of Adar | This means that the lot indicated the twelfth month of that year as the time for Haman to carry out his plan. You can say that explicitly if that would be clearer in your language. (The day that was chosen is reported in verse 13.) Alternate Translation: “the lot indicated the twelfth month, the month of Adar, as the best month to kill the Jews.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 367 | EST | 3 | 7 | k3vd | translate-ordinal | שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר | 1 | the twelfth | Alternative translation: “month twelve” or “the twelfth month” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 368 | EST | 3 | 8 | abk8 | figs-explicit | וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הָמָן֙ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ | 1 | Then Haman said to the king Ahasuerus | The implication is that Haman then went to see the king so that he could speak with him. You could say that explicitly. Do not give your readers the impression that the king was present with Haman while he was casting the lot. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 369 | EST | 3 | 8 | aig9 | translate-numbers | יֶשְׁנ֣וֹ עַם־אֶחָ֗ד | 1 | He has one people | **He** refers to the king, and **one people** refers to the Jews as a people group. So this means “there is a people group” or “a group of people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 370 | EST | 3 | 8 | p4a8 | figs-doublet | מְפֻזָּ֤ר וּמְפֹרָד֙ | 1 | scattered and dispersed | These two words mean almost the same thing. Haman uses the repetition to emphasize that the Jews are everywhere throughout the empire and so their influence, which he says is bad, will affect everyone. You could combine these words as UST does. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 371 | EST | 3 | 8 | abk9 | בֵּ֣ין הָֽעַמִּ֔ים בְּכֹ֖ל מְדִינ֣וֹת מַלְכוּתֶ֑ךָ | 1 | among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom | Haman is saying that the Jews are mixed in with all the other peoples, and they live in every province. | |
| 372 | EST | 3 | 8 | abl0 | וְדָתֵיהֶ֞ם שֹׁנ֣וֹת מִכָּל־עָ֗ם וְאֶת־דָּתֵ֤י הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אֵינָ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים | 1 | And their laws are different from every people, and the laws of the king they do not obey. | Haman is saying that the Jews have their own set of laws, and he is accusing them of not obeying the king’s laws as a result. | |
| 373 | EST | 3 | 8 | r34x | figs-123person | דָּתֵ֤י הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ | 1 | the laws of the king | Haman speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. You could have him say “your laws.” Or you could indicate this respect another way by having Haman begin by saying, “Your Majesty.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 374 | EST | 3 | 8 | bf9g | figs-doublenegatives | וְלַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֵין־שֹׁוֶ֖ה לְהַנִּיחָֽם | 1 | And there is no profit to the king to leave them untouched | Haman is saying, “It is not good for you to allow them to live in your empire.” This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “the king should remove them” or “you should remove them” |
| 375 | EST | 3 | 8 | j19r | figs-123person | וְלַמֶּ֥לֶךְ | 1 | no profit to the king | Haman speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. You could express the same meaning in the second person: “not good for you.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 376 | EST | 3 | 9 | abl1 | figs-123person | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב | 1 | If it is good to the king | Haman speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 377 | EST | 3 | 9 | abl2 | figs-idiom | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב | 1 | If it is good to the king | See how you decided to translate this idiom in 1:19. Alternate translation: “If it seems like a good idea to you, O king” or “If the king thinks this is a good idea” or “If this advice is pleasing to the king.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 378 | EST | 3 | 9 | abl3 | figs-activepassive | יִכָּתֵ֖ב | 1 | let it be written | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who would do the action, for example, “the king could write a decree” or “you could write a decree.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 379 | EST | 3 | 9 | abl4 | לְאַבְּדָ֑ם | 1 | to destroy them | This means that the decree would say that all the Jews should be killed. | |
| 380 | EST | 3 | 9 | eh3w | figs-idiom | אֶשְׁקוֹל֙ עַל־יְדֵי֙ עֹשֵׂ֣י הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה | 1 | I will weigh out…into the hands of the doers of the work | This could mean either of two possibilities: (1) “weigh out into the hands” could be an idiom that means Haman himself will pay the officers who will put the plan into effect. Haman will not do this personally, but it means that he will take responsibility for paying them from his own resources. Alternate translation: “I will pay … the men who do the work from my own resources.” (2) Haman could mean that these officers will be able to collect a huge amount of money from the plunder they get from the Jews. Referring to the weight would be a way of saying “I guarantee that it will be at least that much.” In 3:13, the king’s letter specifies that those who kill the Jews can take their plunder. Alternate translation: “we will get so much plunder that the officers you send will be able to bring back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 381 | EST | 3 | 9 | lhv5 | translate-bmoney | עֲשֶׂ֨רֶת אֲלָפִ֜ים כִּכַּר־כֶּ֗סֶף | 1 | 10,000 talents of silver | This would be worth over $300 million at current prices. But since prices vary over time, if you expressed the amount in modern measurements, that could cause your Bible translation to become outdated and inaccurate. Instead you could express the amount using the ancient measurement, the talent, and explain in a note that a talent was equivalent to about 30 kilograms. Alternatively, you could specify the weight of the silver in the text, as UST does. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 382 | EST | 3 | 9 | abl5 | עֹשֵׂ֣י הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה | 1 | the doers of the work | This means the officers whom Ahasuerus would send around the empire to organize the killing of the Jews. | |
| 383 | EST | 3 | 9 | abl6 | לְהָבִ֖יא אֶל־גִּנְזֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | to bring into the treasuries of the king | This could mean either of two possibilities: (1) This could be indicating that when Haman says he will put the money into the hands of the officers who carry out his plan, he actually means that he will put the money in the royal treasury so that it can be paid out to them. Or, (2) Haman could be saying that all the plunder from the Jews can be brought into the royal treasuries, and that will make the king even richer. | |
| 384 | EST | 3 | 9 | abl7 | figs-123person | גִּנְזֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | the treasuries of the king | Haman speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. You could also have him speak of “your royal treasuries” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 385 | EST | 3 | 10 | abl8 | figs-explicit | וַיָּ֧סַר הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת־טַבַּעְתּ֖וֹ מֵעַ֣ל יָד֑וֹ וַֽיִּתְּנָ֗הּ לְהָמָ֧ן | 1 | Then the king removed his signet from on his hand, and he gave it to Haman | The implication is that Ahasuerus thought that Haman’s suggestion was a good idea and he agreed to it. You could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The king agreed that this was a good idea, so.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 386 | EST | 3 | 10 | abl9 | figs-symaction | וַיָּ֧סַר הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת־טַבַּעְתּ֖וֹ מֵעַ֣ל יָד֑וֹ וַֽיִּתְּנָ֗הּ לְהָמָ֧ן | 1 | Then the king removed his signet ring from on his hand | Giving the ring to Haman showed that Haman could act on the king’s own authority. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The king gave Haman the power to act on his authority to carry out the plan. To show that, he gave Haman the ring he wore that had his official seal on it.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 387 | EST | 3 | 10 | c9md | translate-unknown | טַבַּעְתּ֖וֹ | 1 | his signet ring | This was a special ring that could be used to imprint the king’s official seal on a law or decree. This ring had the king’s name or mark on it. When he put a wax seal on important papers, he would press the mark onto the seal. If a paper had this mark on its seal, people would know that what was written on the paper was written with the king’s authority and had to be obeyed. You could describe this as “the ring he wore that had his official seal on it.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 388 | EST | 3 | 10 | abm0 | בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֛תָא הָאֲגָגִ֖י | 1 | the son of Hammedatha the Agagite | This information about Haman’s identity is repeated to stress that the king giving him the signet ring was an official legal act that transferred power to him. (In the same way, legal documents today often use a person’s full name and other identifying information.) If you repeat this information in your own translation, your readers should see this significance. | |
| 389 | EST | 3 | 10 | abm1 | figs-informremind | צֹרֵ֥ר הַיְּהוּדִֽים | 1 | the adversary of the Jews | This phrase gives clarifying information about Haman. It means that he had become “the enemy of the Jews.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 390 | EST | 3 | 11 | sz4b | figs-activepassive | הַכֶּ֖סֶף נָת֣וּן לָ֑ךְ | 1 | The silver is given to you | You can say this with an active form. This could mean a number of different things: (1) “You can keep the plunder for yourself.” (2) “I will return the money to you,” that is, “I will pay you back after the plan is carried out.” (3) “Take the money and give it to the men just as you have said.” (4) “You do not need to pay for the expenses of the plan yourself.” (5) This statement by the king may also be a formal and cultural way of expressing gratitude for the promised money, without actually releasing Haman from paying the money into the treasury. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 391 | EST | 3 | 11 | abm2 | bita-hq | וְהָעָ֕ם לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת בּ֖וֹ כַּטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ | 1 | and the people, to do with them as is good in your eyes | Here **eyes** figuratively represent seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. The king is telling Haman that he can do whatever he wants to the Jews. Alternate translation: “You can do to the Jews as you see fit.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 392 | EST | 3 | 12 | hx6c | figs-activepassive | וַיִּקָּרְאוּ֩ סֹפְרֵ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ | 1 | And the scribes of the king were called | You can say this with an active form. You can also say who did the action. It was most likely Haman, since the king had given him authority to act on his behalf. So you could say, “Haman called in the royal scribes.” Alternate translation: “the king summoned his scribes.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 393 | EST | 3 | 12 | t6qa | translate-hebrewmonths | בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֣ר יוֹם֮ בּוֹ֒ | 1 | in the first month, on the thirteenth day of it | Alternate translation: “on the thirteenth day of the first month.” You can add “of that same year” to show that Haman did this right after Ahasuerus agreed to his plan. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 394 | EST | 3 | 12 | abm3 | בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֣ר יוֹם֮ בּוֹ֒ | 1 | in the first month, on the thirteenth day of it | You can put this information first because it places the event within the timeline of the story. | |
| 395 | EST | 3 | 12 | abm4 | figs-activepassive | וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב כְּֽכָל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה הָמָ֡ן | 1 | in was written according to all the Haman commanded | You can say this with an active form. You can also say who did the action. Alternate translation: “and Haman dictated a letter to them” or “they wrote a decree containing all that Haman had commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 396 | EST | 3 | 12 | abm5 | translate-unknown | אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנֵֽי־הַ֠מֶּלֶךְ | 1 | the satraps of the king | This seems to mean the officials of the king who served in the palace in the capital city, since they are distinguished from the provincial governors and the leaders of the people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 397 | EST | 3 | 12 | abm6 | הַפַּח֞וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ עַל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֗ה | 1 | the governors who were over province by province | “the governors of each province” | |
| 398 | EST | 3 | 12 | j23r | figs-idiom | מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֗ה | 1 | province by province | This expression means “every province.” See how you translated this in 1:22. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 399 | EST | 3 | 12 | abm7 | שָׂ֤רֵי עַם֙ וָעָ֔ם | 1 | the officials of people by people | “the leaders of each people group” | |
| 400 | EST | 3 | 12 | j25r | figs-idiom | עַם֙ וָעָ֔ם | 1 | people by people | This expression means “every people group.” See how you translated this in [1:22](../01/22.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 401 | EST | 3 | 12 | j27r | figs-idiom | מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ | 1 | province by province according to its writing | See how you translated this in 1:22. Alternate translation: “to each province using its own alphabet” or “written in its own script” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 402 | EST | 3 | 12 | abm8 | figs-explicit | מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ | 1 | province by province according to its writing | The implication is that the scribes translated the letter and sent it to each province using its own alphabet. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 403 | EST | 3 | 12 | j31r | figs-idiom | וְעַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם כִּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ | 1 | and to people by people according to its own tongue | See how you translated this expression in 1:22. Alternate translation: “and to each people group in its own language.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 404 | EST | 3 | 12 | j33r | bita-hq | כִּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ | 1 | according to its tongue | Here **tongue** is a metonym meaning the language spoken by a person or a group of people. Alternate translation: “according to its language” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 405 | EST | 3 | 12 | abm9 | figs-metaphor | בְּשֵׁ֨ם הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹשׁ֙ נִכְתָּ֔ב | 1 | In the name of the king Ahasuerus it was written | (1) Here **name** could mean the authority of the king. This would be saying that Haman’s letter had the same authority as it would have had if the king had sent it himself. Alternate translation: “Haman sent the letter under the king's own authority.” (2) However, this could also mean that Haman actually had the scribes sign the king’s name to the letter. Alternate translation: “They signed the king's name at the end of the letters.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 406 | EST | 3 | 12 | lyf2 | figs-activepassive | נִכְתָּ֔ב וְנֶחְתָּ֖ם בְּטַבַּ֥עַת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | It was written, and it was sealed with the signet ring of the king | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “To show that he was sending the letter under the king's own authority, Haman sealed each copy of the letter with the ring that had the king’s official seal on it,” or, “The scribes signed the king's name at the end of the letters. Then they sealed the letters with wax, and stamped the wax by using the king's ring.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 407 | EST | 3 | 13 | hxx6 | figs-activepassive | וְנִשְׁל֨וֹחַ סְפָרִ֜ים | 1 | And letters were sent | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action, for example, “couriers delivered the letters.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 408 | EST | 3 | 13 | j34r | bita-hq | בְּיַ֣ד הָרָצִים֮ | 1 | by the hand of runners | Here **hand** could mean two different things. (1) It could literally mean “hand,” meaning that the couriers carried the letters in their hands. Alternate translation: “Couriers hand-delivered the documents.” (2) “Hand” could also be a metaphor for power, control, or authority, meaning that couriers were the ones who delivered the letters to all the provinces throughout the empire. Alternate translation: “couriers gave the documents directly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 409 | EST | 3 | 13 | abn0 | figs-metonymy | אֶל־כָּל־מְדִינ֣וֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ֒ | 1 | to all of the provinces of the king | Haman did not send the letters to the provinces (the geographical territories) themselves. Rather, he sent them to the officials in every province in the empire. The story is using the word “province” to refer figuratively to these officials by something associated with them, the territories they ruled. Your translation should make clear that the letters were sent to people, not places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 410 | EST | 3 | 13 | xs6g | figs-doublet | לְהַשְׁמִ֡יד לַהֲרֹ֣ג וּלְאַבֵּ֣ד | 1 | to annihilate, to slaughter, and to destroy | These words mean the same thing. They are used together to emphasize the completeness of the destruction that is envisioned. You could combine them as UST does and say something like “completely destroy.” (A “doublet” can use more than two words. See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 411 | EST | 3 | 13 | abn1 | figs-merism | מִנַּ֨עַר וְעַד־זָקֵ֜ן | 1 | from young even to old | This is a figure of speech that figuratively describes all of something by naming two extreme parts of it in order to include everything in between. You could express its meaning as UST does and say something like “every single one of them.” Alternate translation: “including young people and old people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 412 | EST | 3 | 13 | abn2 | טַ֤ף וְנָשִׁים֙ | 1 | children and women | “including the children and the women” | |
| 413 | EST | 3 | 13 | j35r | translate-numbers | בְּי֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד | 1 | on one day | Alternate translation: “on a single day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 414 | EST | 3 | 13 | abn3 | figs-explicit | בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר | 1 | on the thirteenth of the twelfth month | Implicitly this means “the thirteenth day of the twelfth month of that same year.” If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 415 | EST | 3 | 13 | g5br | translate-ordinal | בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר | 1 | on the thirteenth | “on day thirteen” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 416 | EST | 3 | 13 | j36r | translate-ordinal | לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר | 1 | of the twelfth month | “of month twelve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 417 | EST | 3 | 13 | i5ur | translate-hebrewmonths | הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֑ר | 1 | which is the month of Adar | This is the name of the twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar. See how you decided in 2:16 and 3:7 to express dates that the story gives according to the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 418 | EST | 3 | 13 | pbp1 | וּשְׁלָלָ֖ם לָבֽוֹז | 1 | and to plunder their spoils | This means that the letters also said that those who killed the Jews could take everything that belonged to them. | |
| 419 | EST | 3 | 14 | tj7n | figs-activepassive | הַכְּתָ֗ב לְהִנָּ֤תֵֽן דָּת֙ בְּכָל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֔ה | 1 | the writing, to be given as a law in every province by province | You can say this with an active form, for example, “The officials in every province made a copy of the letter become the law.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 420 | EST | 3 | 14 | vga2 | figs-idiom | בְּכָל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֔ה | 1 | In every province by province | This expression means “each and every province.” See how you translated the term “province” in 1:1. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 421 | EST | 3 | 14 | l9w7 | figs-activepassive | הַכְּתָ֗ב…גָּל֖וּי לְכָל־הָֽעַמִּ֑ים | 1 | the writing…was uncovered for all the peoples | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “The letter told the officials to post copies where everyone could see them” or “The king commanded that copies of these letters should be nailed up where all the people could see them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 422 | EST | 3 | 14 | f6dc | לִהְי֥וֹת עֲתִדִ֖ים לַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה | 1 | to be ready for this day | Alternate translations: “so that people would be ready to do on that day what the king had written in the letter” or “so that they would get ready to do what the letter said when the day came” | |
| 423 | EST | 3 | 15 | abn4 | הָֽרָצִ֞ים יָצְא֤וּ דְחוּפִים֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | The runners went out hurrying by decree of the king | This means that the king had commanded the couriers to deliver the letters as quickly as possible. | |
| 424 | EST | 3 | 15 | abn5 | figs-explicit | הָֽרָצִ֞ים יָצְא֤וּ דְחוּפִים֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | The runners went out hurrying by decree of the king | You can state explicitly where the couriers brought the letters. Alternate translation: “As the king had commanded, couriers rushed the letters to every province in the empire,” or, “Then, according to what the king commanded, men riding horses took these letter quickly to every province in the empire.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 425 | EST | 3 | 15 | i12c | figs-activepassive | וְהַדָּ֥ת נִתְּנָ֖ה | 1 | and the law was given | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action, for example, “A herald also proclaimed what the letter said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 426 | EST | 3 | 15 | nlk8 | translate-unknown | בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֑ה | 1 | in Susa the citadel | Here this likely means “in the capital city of Susa.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 427 | EST | 3 | 15 | abn6 | figs-synecdoche | יָשְׁב֣וּ לִשְׁתּ֔וֹת | 1 | sat down to drink | (1) This could mean that Ahasuerus and Haman had more than just a drink together. This could be a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to mean the whole thing. They may have celebrated with an entire banquet that is being described here by reference to one part of it, the drinks. Alternate translation: “had a celebration feast together.” (2) Another possibility is that this is describing a toast that Ahasuerus and Haman shared to celebrate their plan. “Sat down” would simply be describing how the men would have reclined at a table to drink. Alternate translation: “had a celebration toast” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 428 | EST | 3 | 15 | wm4u | figs-explicit | נָבֽוֹכָה | 1 | the city of Susa was in confusion | The implication is that the people in Susa were very upset about what was going to happen and they did not know what to do about it. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 429 | EST | 3 | 15 | abn7 | figs-metonymy | וְהָעִ֥יר שׁוּשָׁ֖ן | 1 | but the city of Susa | This does not mean the city itself, but the people who live there. This is a figure of speech in which something is called not by its own name, but by the name of something closely associated with it. So this means “everyone who lived in Susa” or “the people in Susa” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 430 | EST | 3 | 15 | abn8 | figs-abstractnouns | נָבֽוֹכָה | 1 | was in confusion | You can translate the abstract noun “confusion” with a concrete noun phrase such as “a state of great confusion.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 431 | EST | 4 | intro | z7u2 | 0 | # Esther 04 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Mordecai warns Esther to act<br><br>Mordecai tells Esther she must beg the king for the Jews’ lives, even if she risks her own death.<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### Implicit information<br><br>There is implicit information translators may not understand. “Who knows whether you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?” This means “maybe God made you the queen so you could save the Jews.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])<br> | |||
| 432 | EST | 4 | 1 | j37r | writing-participants | וּמָרְדֳּכַ֗י יָדַע֙ | 1 | Now when Mordecai knew | Here the story re-introduces Mordecai as the main character in focus. Alternate translation: “When Mordecai found out” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-participants]]) |
| 433 | EST | 4 | 1 | nya6 | כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר נַעֲשָׂ֔ה | 1 | about all that had been done | “about Haman’s plan to kill all the Jews” or “about those letters” | |
| 434 | EST | 4 | 1 | vgy8 | translate-symaction | וַיִּקְרַ֤ע מָרְדֳּכַי֙ אֶת־בְּגָדָ֔יו וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ שַׂ֖ק וָאֵ֑פֶר | 1 | he tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes | These actions demonstrate extreme sadness. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]]) |
| 435 | EST | 4 | 1 | abn9 | figs-explicit | וַיִּקְרַ֤ע מָרְדֳּכַי֙ אֶת־בְּגָדָ֔יו וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ שַׂ֖ק וָאֵ֑פֶר | 1 | he tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes | You can explain why Mordecai did this. Alternate translation: “he was so anguished that he tore his clothes and put on rough sackcloth and threw ashes over himself” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 436 | EST | 4 | 1 | abo0 | figs-explicit | וַיֵּצֵא֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֔יר | 1 | he went out into the midst of the city | The next verse shows that Mordecai was heading towards the king’s palace. You could say that explicitly here. Mordecai might have wanted to call attention to the danger that the Jews were in by going to a public location where people were used to seeing him. Or he may have wanted to contact Esther and ask her to help with the trouble. Or both. Alternate translation: “He started walking towards the city center, towards the king’s palace.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 437 | EST | 4 | 1 | abo1 | figs-doublet | וַיִּזְעַ֛ק זְעָקָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה וּמָרָֽה | 1 | and cried out a great and bitter outcry | **Great** and **bitter** are two words that refer to the same thing and that work together. They indicate that Mordecai’s cry was so loud because it was so anguished. Alternate translation: “cried out in anguish” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 438 | EST | 4 | 2 | abo2 | וַיָּב֕וֹא | 1 | And he came | **He** means Mordecai. Alternate translation: “So when Mordecai reached.” | |
| 439 | EST | 4 | 2 | j38r | bita-hq | עַ֖ד לִפְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | only as far as before the face of the gate of the king | Here **face** figuratively represents the front of an object. The phrase means that Mordecai could not come inside the gate to the king’s palace, but had to wait just outside of it. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 440 | EST | 4 | 2 | abo3 | שַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | the gate of the king | See how you translated this in 2:19. Alternate translation: “the gate to the king’s palace” | |
| 441 | EST | 4 | 2 | abo4 | grammar-connect-logic-result | אֵ֥ין לָב֛וֹא אֶל־שַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בִּלְב֥וּשׁ שָֽׂק | 1 | no one was to come into the gate of the king while wearing sackcloth | Alternate translation: “But no one who was wearing sackcloth was allowed inside the palace gates” If it would be clearer in your language, you can put this information first in the verse because it explains why Mordecai waited outside. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 442 | EST | 4 | 3 | e73y | figs-idiom | וּבְכָל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֗ה | 1 | And in every province by province | This expression means “in every single province.” See how you translated the term “province” in 1:1. Alternate translation: “in each and every province” or “in every province of the empire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 443 | EST | 4 | 3 | abo5 | מְקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְדָתוֹ֙ מַגִּ֔יעַ | 1 | any place where the decree of the king and his law reached | “anywhere the letter that said to destroy the Jews was announced in public” | |
| 444 | EST | 4 | 3 | abo6 | figs-doublet | דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְדָתוֹ֙ | 1 | the decree of the king and his law | These two phrases are referring to the same thing, that is, the information that the letter conveyed. The repetition is used to emphasize how serious a situation this was. Alternate translation: “the letter from the king” or “the letter that said to destroy the Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 445 | EST | 4 | 3 | e7zx | אֵ֤בֶל גָּדוֹל֙ לַיְּהוּדִ֔ים | 1 | there was great mourning by the Jews | “the Jews mourned greatly” or “When the Jews heard about it, they mourned greatly” | |
| 446 | EST | 4 | 3 | abo7 | וְצ֥וֹם | 1 | and fasting | “They went without food” | |
| 447 | EST | 4 | 3 | abo8 | figs-doublet | וּבְכִ֖י וּמִסְפֵּ֑ד | 1 | weeping, and lamenting | These two words mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how distressed the Jews were. Alternate translation: “wailed loudly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 448 | EST | 4 | 3 | djf6 | שַׂ֣ק וָאֵ֔פֶר יֻצַּ֖ע לָֽרַבִּֽים | 1 | sackcloth and ashes were laid out by the multitudes | “Many of them were on the ground, dressed in sackcloth and sitting in ashes” | |
| 449 | EST | 4 | 4 | q7ll | נַעֲר֨וֹת אֶסְתֵּ֤ר | 1 | the young female attendants of Esther | “Esther’s female servants” of “Esther’s maids” | |
| 450 | EST | 4 | 4 | abo9 | translate-unknown | וְסָרִיסֶ֨יהָ֙ | 1 | and her eunuchs | See how you translated this term in 1:10. Alternate translation: “male servants” or “her other officials” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 451 | EST | 4 | 4 | abp0 | figs-explicit | וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לָ֔הּ | 1 | and they told her | That is, they told her that Mordecai was sitting outside the gate wearing sackcloth. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 452 | EST | 4 | 4 | abp2 | figs-explicit | וַתִּתְחַלְחַ֥ל הַמַּלְכָּ֖ה מְאֹ֑ד | 1 | even the queen was seized with extreme fear | The implication is that this happened when she heard what Mordecai was doing. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “When she heard about this, Esther herself became very afraid” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 453 | EST | 4 | 4 | y8bc | figs-symaction | וַתִּשְׁלַ֨ח בְּגָדִ֜ים לְהַלְבִּ֣ישׁ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֗י | 1 | she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and to take off his sackcloth from upon him | **She** means Esther. This was a way of encouraging Mordecai to be hopeful and act publicly as if whatever situation he was worried about was not completely desperate. Alternate translation: “She sent Mordecai some good clothes to wear instead of the sackcloth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 454 | EST | 4 | 4 | abp3 | figs-symaction | וְלֹ֥א קִבֵּֽל | 1 | he did not accept | Alternate translation: “he refused to put them on” This was Mordecai’s way of replying to Esther that the situation truly was desperate. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 455 | EST | 4 | 5 | abp4 | וַתִּקְרָא֩ אֶסְתֵּ֨ר לַהֲתָ֜ךְ מִסָּרִיסֵ֤י הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ | 1 | So Esther called for Hathak, from the eunuchs of the king | “Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s officials” | |
| 456 | EST | 4 | 5 | vf4m | translate-names | לַהֲתָ֜ךְ | 1 | for Hathak | This is a man’s name. It occurs several times in this chapter. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 457 | EST | 4 | 5 | lp8m | writing-background | מִסָּרִיסֵ֤י הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶעֱמִ֣יד לְפָנֶ֔יהָ | 1 | from the eunuchs of the king whom he had caused to stand before her face | Alternate translation: “who was one of the royal guardians whom the king had assigned to serve Esther personally.” You can put this information first because it provides background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 458 | EST | 4 | 5 | icg7 | translate-unknown | מִסָּרִיסֵ֤י | 1 | from the eunuchs of | See how you translated this term **eunuch** in 1:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 459 | EST | 4 | 5 | j39r | bita-hq | לְפָנֶ֔יהָ | 1 | before her face | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. This phrase means that the guardians served Esther personally. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 460 | EST | 4 | 5 | abp5 | וַתְּצַוֵּ֖הוּ עַֽל־מָרְדֳּכָ֑י | 1 | She commanded him concerning Mordecai | “She told him to go out and speak with Mordecai” | |
| 461 | EST | 4 | 5 | abp6 | figs-parallelism | לָדַ֥עַת מַה־זֶּ֖ה וְעַל־מַה־זֶּֽה | 1 | to know what this was and on account of what this was | These two phrases mean similar things. In both cases, “this” refers to what Mordecai was doing. The repetition is used to emphasize that Esther now knew there must be a very serious reason why Mordecai was wearing sackcloth in such a public place. Alternate translation: “to find out why he was so distressed that he was sitting at the palace gate wearing sackcloth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 462 | EST | 4 | 6 | abp7 | figs-explicit | וַיֵּצֵ֥א הֲתָ֖ךְ אֶֽל־מָרְדֳּכָ֑י | 1 | So Hathak went out to Mordecai | Hathak went out specifically to speak with Mordecai and find out why he was so distressed, as Esther had asked him to do. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Hathak went out to speak with Mordecai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 463 | EST | 4 | 6 | mgl5 | רְח֣וֹב הָעִ֔יר | 1 | the open place of the city | “the central plaza” | |
| 464 | EST | 4 | 6 | j41r | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | before the face of | Here **face** figuratively represents the front of an object. The phrase means that the open square was in front of the palace gate. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 465 | EST | 4 | 6 | abp8 | figs-metonymy | שַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | the gate of the king | Alternate translation: “the citadel gate.” The citadel is being described by reference to something associated with it, the gate that leads into it. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 466 | EST | 4 | 7 | zq3s | figs-synecdoche | וַיַּגֶּד־ל֣וֹ מָרְדֳּכַ֔י אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר קָרָ֑הוּ | 1 | Mordecai reported to him all that had happened to him | Alternate translation: “Mordecai told Hathak everything that Haman was planning to do to the Jews.” The story says that this had happened to **him** (Mordecai), but here Mordecai figuratively represents the entire group that he is one member of. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 467 | EST | 4 | 7 | abp9 | פָּרָשַׁ֣ת הַכֶּ֗סֶף אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָמַ֤ר הָמָן֙ לִ֠שְׁקוֹל עַל־גִּנְזֵ֥י הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ בַּיְּהוּדִ֖ים לְאַבְּדָֽם | 1 | the exact amount of silver that Haman had said to weigh out in the treasuries of the king, against, to destroy them | This could mean either of two possibilities: (1) The amount of silver that Haman had said he would contribute to pay for the expenses of the plan to destroy the Jews, or (2) the amount of silver that Haman said the king would get for his treasury from the plunder that the people who destroyed the Jews would take from them. You could say either one as an alternate translation. | |
| 468 | EST | 4 | 8 | j43r | פַּתְשֶׁ֣גֶן כְּתָֽב־הַ֠דָּת אֲשֶׁר־נִתַּ֨ן | 1 | a copy of the writing | “a copy of the letter that Haman had sent out” or “a copy of the decree” | |
| 469 | EST | 4 | 8 | zt49 | figs-activepassive | הַ֠דָּת אֲשֶׁר־נִתַּ֨ן בְּשׁוּשָׁ֤ן | 1 | the law that had been given in Susa | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “the law that had been read in Susa.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 470 | EST | 4 | 8 | abq0 | לְהַשְׁמִידָם֙ | 1 | to annihilate them | “that said that all the Jews must be killed” | |
| 471 | EST | 4 | 8 | abq1 | figs-parallelism | לְהַרְא֥וֹת אֶת־אֶסְתֵּ֖ר וּלְהַגִּ֣יד לָ֑הּ | 1 | in order to show Esther, and to inform her | These two phrases mean similar things. They are repeated to emphasize how important Mordecai knew it was for Esther to understand just what Haman was planning. “He told Hathak to show the letter to Esther so that she would know exactly what it said.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 472 | EST | 4 | 8 | abq2 | וּלְצַוּ֣וֹת עָלֶ֗יהָ | 1 | and to lay a charge upon her | “and to urge her” | |
| 473 | EST | 4 | 8 | gds6 | figs-doublet | לְהִֽתְחַנֶּן־ל֛וֹ וּלְבַקֵּ֥שׁ | 1 | to implore his favor and to seek | These two phrases mean similar things. They are repeated to emphasize the force of the action that Mordecai felt was needed. Alternate translation: “to beg him desperately” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 474 | EST | 4 | 8 | j47r | bita-hq | מִלְּפָנָ֖יו | 1 | to go to the king…from before his face | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. In this context, the phrase means that Esther should go into the presence of the king to ask personally for the king’s intervention. Alternate translation: “to go to the king personally” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 475 | EST | 4 | 8 | abq3 | עַל־עַמָּֽהּ | 1 | concerning her people | “to act mercifully toward her people” | |
| 476 | EST | 4 | 9 | abq4 | וַיָּב֖וֹא הֲתָ֑ךְ וַיַּגֵּ֣ד לְאֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֵ֖ת דִּבְרֵ֥י מָרְדֳּכָֽי | 1 | So Hathak went and told Esther the words of Mordecai. | “So Hathak returned to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said.” | |
| 477 | EST | 4 | 10 | abq5 | וַתֹּ֤אמֶר אֶסְתֵּר֙ לַהֲתָ֔ךְ וַתְּצַוֵּ֖הוּ אֶֽל־מָרְדֳּכָֽי | 1 | Then Esther spoke to Hathak and commanded him to say to Mordecai: | “The Esther told Hathak to go back to Mordecai and tell his this:” | |
| 478 | EST | 4 | 11 | abq6 | figs-merism | כָּל־עַבְדֵ֣י הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ וְעַם־מְדִינ֨וֹת הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ יֽוֹדְעִ֗ים | 1 | All the servants of the king and the people of the provinces of the king are knowing | “All the servants of the king” refers to the royal officials in the palace. “The people of the provinces” refer to those living out in the empire. So this phrase means something like “those both near and far.” Esther is using a figure of speech to refer to something by speaking of two extreme parts of it in order to include everything in between those parts. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases and say something like, “everyone in the whole empire knows.” Alternate translation: “All the king's officials and all the people in the empire know this law.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 479 | EST | 4 | 11 | abq7 | כָּל־עַבְדֵ֣י הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ וְעַם־מְדִינ֨וֹת הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ יֽוֹדְעִ֗ים | 1 | All the servants of the king and the people of the provinces of the king are knowing | Esther says this to show that there is no uncertainty about this being the law. You can put this information after the description of the law itself, if that would be clearer in your language, so that it can serve to emphasize how definite the law is that was just described. | |
| 480 | EST | 4 | 11 | d9mh | figs-merism | כָּל־אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשָּׁ֡ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר | 1 | for any man or woman | Here Esther once again refers to something figuratively by describing two parts of it. She means all of the people whom Ahasuerus rules as king. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases and say something like “anyone.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 481 | EST | 4 | 11 | abq8 | figs-symaction | יָבֽוֹא־אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ֩ אֶל־הֶחָצֵ֨ר הַפְּנִימִ֜ית | 1 | who goes to the king, to the inner court | As 5:1 makes clear, this refers to a courtyard right outside the room where King Ahasuerus sat on his throne. He could see out of the entrance to the room into the courtyard and tell if anyone came and stood there. Anyone who did that was asking to speak to the king. Alternate translation: “who goes into the inner courtyard of the palace, where the king can see them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 482 | EST | 4 | 11 | abq9 | אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־יִקָּרֵ֗א | 1 | who has not been called | “without being summoned” | |
| 483 | EST | 4 | 11 | abr0 | אַחַ֤ת דָּתוֹ֙ | 1 | his law is one | Alternate translation: “This law applies to everyone in the kingdom.” If that would be clearer in your language, you could put this after the explanation of the law itself. | |
| 484 | EST | 4 | 11 | abr1 | לְהָמִ֔ית | 1 | to cause to die | “that person must be executed” | |
| 485 | EST | 4 | 11 | abr2 | לְ֠בַד מֵאֲשֶׁ֨ר יֽוֹשִׁיט־ל֥וֹ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת־שַׁרְבִ֥יט הַזָּהָ֖ב וְחָיָ֑ה | 1 | apart from when the king holds out to him the scepter of gold, then he will live | “unless the king holds our his golden scepter to them” | |
| 486 | EST | 4 | 11 | abr3 | translate-unknown | שַׁרְבִ֥יט הַזָּהָ֖ב | 1 | the scepter of gold | A scepter was an ornamental staff or wand that rulers carried or held as a symbol of their authority. The scepter of King Ahasuerus seems to have been made of gold. Alternate translation: “golden scepter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 487 | EST | 4 | 11 | abr4 | figs-explicit | וַאֲנִ֗י לֹ֤א נִקְרֵ֨אתי֙ לָב֣וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ זֶ֖ה שְׁלוֹשִׁ֥ים יֽוֹם | 1 | But as for me, I have not been called to come to the king these thirty days | Esther is saying by implication that she cannot speak to the king as Mordecai has requested, because the king has not been calling for her, which would have given her an opportunity to speak to him, and if she goes without being summoned, she could be put to death. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 488 | EST | 4 | 11 | j49r | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | וַאֲנִ֗י | 1 | But as for me | This expression indicates a contrast between Esther’s present situation and the situation she has just described. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 489 | EST | 4 | 11 | abr5 | זֶ֖ה שְׁלוֹשִׁ֥ים יֽוֹם | 1 | these 30 days | The phrase means that Esther has not been called in the king’s presence for a period of at least 30 days. You could use an equivalent expression in your language that would indicate this is a long enough time that Esther has reason to believe the king is not interested in seeing her. Alternate translation: “in over a month” | |
| 490 | EST | 4 | 11 | gv1v | translate-numbers | זֶ֖ה שְׁלוֹשִׁ֥ים יֽוֹם | 1 | these 30 days | “thirty days” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 491 | EST | 4 | 12 | abr6 | וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לְמָרְדֳּכָ֔י אֵ֖ת דִּבְרֵ֥י אֶסְתֵּֽר | 1 | So they told to Mordecai the words of Esther | “So Hathak went back to Mordecai and told him what Esther had said” | |
| 492 | EST | 4 | 13 | abr7 | וַיֹּ֥אמֶר מָרְדֳּכַ֖י לְהָשִׁ֣יב אֶל־אֶסְתֵּ֑ר | 1 | Then Mordecai said to return to Esther | “Mordecai told Hathak to tell this to Ester” | |
| 493 | EST | 4 | 13 | abr8 | אַל־תְּדַמִּ֣י בְנַפְשֵׁ֔ךְ לְהִמָּלֵ֥ט בֵּית־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מִכָּל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים | 1 | Do not think to yourself to escape in the palace of the king, from all the Jews. | “Do not think that just because you live there in the palace, you will escape when all the other Jews are killed.” | |
| 494 | EST | 4 | 14 | abr9 | אִם־הַחֲרֵ֣שׁ תַּחֲרִישִׁי֮ בָּעֵ֣ת הַזֹּאת֒ | 1 | if you indeed remain silent at this time | “If you say nothing at all now” | |
| 495 | EST | 4 | 14 | i1uy | figs-personification | רֶ֣וַח וְהַצָּלָ֞ה יַעֲמ֤וֹד לַיְּהוּדִים֙ מִמָּק֣וֹם אַחֵ֔ר | 1 | relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place | Here “relief” and “rescue” are spoken of as if they are living things that can rise up. Alternate translation: “someone else will rise up from another place and rescue the Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 496 | EST | 4 | 14 | abs0 | אַ֥תְּ וּבֵית־אָבִ֖יךְ תֹּאבֵ֑דוּ | 1 | but you and the house of your father will perish | Alternate translation: “you and your relatives will be killed.” The implication is that the Jews will be rescued starting in that other place, but the ones living in Susa will still be in danger because no one who could have helped them there (such as Esther) will have done anything. | |
| 497 | EST | 4 | 14 | dtg7 | figs-rquestion | וּמִ֣י יוֹדֵ֔עַ אִם־לְעֵ֣ת כָּזֹ֔את הִגַּ֖עַתְּ לַמַּלְכֽוּת | 1 | And who knows if you have arrived at royalty for such a time as this? | This is really a statement. Mordecai asks it in question form so that Esther will think deeply about her role in this situation. Alternate translation: “Who knows, perhaps it was for a time just like this that you became queen.” (See: Rhetorical Question) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) |
| 498 | EST | 4 | 15 | abs1 | וַתֹּ֥אמֶר אֶסְתֵּ֖ר לְהָשִׁ֥יב אֶֽל־מָרְדֳּכָֽי | 1 | Then Esther said to return to Mordecai: | “After Hathak told this to Esther, she told him to go back to Mordecai and say this to him:” | |
| 499 | EST | 4 | 16 | d6cq | figs-activepassive | כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֣ים בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן | 1 | all the Jews who are found in Susa | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “all the Jews who live here in Susa” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 500 | EST | 4 | 16 | t2wg | translate-symaction | וְצ֣וּמוּ עָ֠לַי | 1 | And fast on account of me | Fasting (that is, going without eating) was a symbolic act that the Jews did when they were praying intensely. You could make the connection with prayer explicit. Alternate translation: “fast and pray for me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]]) |
| 501 | EST | 4 | 16 | qw8v | translate-numbers | וְאַל־תֹּאכְל֨וּ וְאַל־תִּשְׁתּ֜וּ שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ לַ֣יְלָה וָי֔וֹם | 1 | neither eating nor drinking for three days, both night and day | This expression means that Esther was asking the Jews in Susa not to eat or drink anything during the day or the night for a period of three days. Alternate translation: “Tell them to not eat or drink anything for three days and three nights.” |
| 502 | EST | 4 | 16 | j51r | translate-symaction | גַּם־אֲנִ֥י וְנַעֲרֹתַ֖י אָצ֣וּם כֵּ֑ן | 1 | Also, I myself and my young female attendants will fast likewise | “My maids and I will also fast” |
| 503 | EST | 4 | 16 | abs2 | וּבְכֵ֞ן | 1 | Then, in such circumstances | “After we have all done that, and while still fasting” | |
| 504 | EST | 4 | 16 | abs3 | אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־כַדָּ֔ת | 1 | which is not according to the law | “even though there is a law against going without being summoned” | |
| 505 | EST | 4 | 16 | abs4 | וְכַאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָבַ֖דְתִּי אָבָֽדְתִּי | 1 | and if I perish, I perish | “I am prepared to do that even if it costs me my life” | |
| 506 | EST | 4 | 17 | abs5 | figs-explicit | וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר מָרְדֳּכָ֑י | 1 | So Mordecai went | The implication is that Mordecai did this after Hathak brought Esther’s reply back to him. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “So after Hathak told this to Mordecai, he went” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 507 | EST | 4 | 17 | abs6 | כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוְּתָ֥ה עָלָ֖יו אֶסְתֵּֽר | 1 | according to the whole charge that Esther had laid upon him | “everything that Esther had told him to do” | |
| 508 | EST | 5 | intro | k5ff | 0 | # Esther 05 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter begins a section about Haman’s fall (Chapters 5-7).<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Esther’s respect<br>Esther approached the king with the utmost of respect. By doing this, her character became respected by the king. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])<br> | |||
| 509 | EST | 5 | 1 | j53r | writing-newevent | וַיְהִ֣י׀ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י | 1 | Now it happened on the third day | This introduces a new event in the story. Alternate translation: “Three days later” or “When Esther had been fasting for three days” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) |
| 510 | EST | 5 | 1 | abs7 | figs-abstractnouns | וַתִּלְבַּ֤שׁ אֶסְתֵּר֙ מַלְכ֔וּת | 1 | Esther put on royalty | You can use an adjective and a concrete noun to translate the abstract noun “royalty.” Alternate translation: “Esther put on her royal robes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 511 | EST | 5 | 1 | abs8 | figs-explicit | וַתִּלְבַּ֤שׁ אֶסְתֵּר֙ מַלְכ֔וּת | 1 | Esther put on royalty | It’s clear from the story that before she went to see the king, Esther got a banquet ready so that she could invite him and Haman to come to it right away. You can explain that here. Alternate translation, add: “Esther prepared a grand banquet and then put on her royal robes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 512 | EST | 5 | 1 | abs9 | בַּחֲצַ֤ר בֵּית־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ הַפְּנִימִ֔ית | 1 | the inner court of the palace of the king | See how you translated this in 4:11. Alternate translation: “the inner courtyard of the palace” | |
| 513 | EST | 5 | 1 | uk7p | נֹ֖כַח בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | opposite to the house of the king | “across from the room where the king was” | |
| 514 | EST | 5 | 1 | abt0 | figs-abstractnouns | וְ֠הַמֶּלֶךְ יוֹשֵׁ֞ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֤א מַלְכוּתוֹ֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הַמַּלְכ֔וּת | 1 | sitting on the throne of his royalty in the palace of royalty | **Royalty** is an abstract noun that refers to the royal authority that the king exercised. You can translate this idea with a verb, “the throne he ruled from” and “the palace where he reigned,” or with an adjective, “his royal throne” and “his royal palace.” Alternate translation: “in the throne room of the palace, sitting on the throne” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 515 | EST | 5 | 1 | j55r | נֹ֖כַח פֶּ֥תַח הַבָּֽיִת | 1 | opposite to the entrance of the palace | “facing the entrance of the room” | |
| 516 | EST | 5 | 2 | abt1 | grammar-connect-time-sequential | וַיְהִי֩ | 1 | Then it happened that | This expression introduces what happened next. Alternate translation: “Now” or “and” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]]) |
| 517 | EST | 5 | 2 | abt2 | כִרְא֨וֹת | 1 | as soon as…saw | “as soon as…noticed” | |
| 518 | EST | 5 | 2 | j57r | figs-idiom | נָשְׂאָ֥ה חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינָ֑יו | 1 | she lifted favor in his eyes | See how you translated similar expressions in 2:9, 2:15, and 2:17. Review the explanations there if that would be helpful. In this context, it probably means that King Ahasuerus thought Esther looked very attractive as she stood in the court. It could also mean that King Ahasuerus was very pleased to see her. Or both. Alternate translation: “he was very pleased to see her” or “he approved of her” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 519 | EST | 5 | 2 | pw4x | bita-hq | נָשְׂאָ֥ה חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינָ֑יו | 1 | she lifted favor in his eyes | Here **eyes** figuratively represent seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. This phrase means that King Ahasuerus decided not to kill Esther for coming into the inner court without being summoned. Alternate translation: “he was very pleased to see her” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])) |
| 520 | EST | 5 | 2 | uu8s | translate-symaction | וַיּ֨וֹשֶׁט הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְאֶסְתֵּ֗ר אֶת־שַׁרְבִ֤יט הַזָּהָב֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיָד֔וֹ | 1 | And the king held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand | King Ahasuerus did this to show that he would not enforce the law that said Esther should be executed for coming into the king’s inner court without being summoned. See how you translated this in 4:11. Alternate translation: “he extended the gold scepter toward her.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]] |
| 521 | EST | 5 | 2 | abt3 | figs-explicit | וַיּ֨וֹשֶׁט הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְאֶסְתֵּ֗ר אֶת־שַׁרְבִ֤יט הַזָּהָב֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיָד֔וֹ | 1 | And the king held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand | King Ahasuerus did this to show that he would not enforce the law that said Esther should be executed. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “he extended the gold scepter toward her to signal that he would be glad to talk to her.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 522 | EST | 5 | 2 | abt4 | וַתִּקְרַ֣ב | 1 | so…approached | “so…came close” or “so…came up to the throne” | |
| 523 | EST | 5 | 2 | abt5 | figs-explicit | וַתִּגַּ֖ע בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הַשַּׁרְבִֽיט | 1 | and touched the head of the scepter | This action was probably customary for a king’s subjects in a Persian court, when the king extended the royal scepter. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 524 | EST | 5 | 2 | z4mn | translate-symaction | וַתִּגַּ֖ע בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הַשַּׁרְבִֽיט | 1 | and touched the head of the scepter | This action demonstrated that Esther respected the authority of King Ahasuerus and was thankful for his kindness to her. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]]) |
| 525 | EST | 5 | 2 | j59r | bita-hq | בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הַשַּׁרְבִֽיט | 1 | the head of the scepter | Here **head** is a metonym meaning the top (or uppermost part) of an object or location. This phrase means that Esther touched the top of the king’s scepter on the end that was extended toward her. Alternate translation: “the top of the scepter” or “the tip of the scepter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 526 | EST | 5 | 3 | abt6 | מַה־לָּ֖ךְ אֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה | 1 | What is to you, Esther the queen? | “What do you want, Queen Esther?” | |
| 527 | EST | 5 | 3 | abt7 | figs-parallelism | מַה־לָּ֖ךְ אֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ | 1 | What is to you, Esther the queen? And what is your request? | These two phrases mean almost the same thing. Ahasuerus says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to show that he is very interested in hearing why Esther has come to see him. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if it would be more natural in your language to combine them into one. Alternate translation: “What do you want, Queen Esther?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 528 | EST | 5 | 3 | j61r | figs-hyperbole | עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת וְיִנָּ֥תֵֽן לָֽךְ | 1 | As much as half of the kingdom, and let it be given to you | This was probably a formal and customary expression in the Persian royal court, meant to show honor to the person making a request of the king and to indicate the king’s willingness to be very generous when answering the request. King Ahasuerus was almost certainly not offering to give Esther half of his kingdom. If it would be clearer to your readers, you could express the meaning: “I will give you anything you ask for, no matter how great it is.” Alternate translation: “I will give you what you want, even if you ask me to give you half of my kingdom!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 529 | EST | 5 | 3 | c6h7 | figs-activepassive | וְיִנָּ֥תֵֽן לָֽךְ | 1 | and let it be given to you | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “I will give you anything you ask for” or “I will give you what you want” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 530 | EST | 5 | 4 | abt8 | figs-idiom | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ ט֑וֹב | 1 | If it is good to the king | This is an idiom. See how you translated it in 1:19 and 3:9. Alternate translation: “If it seems like a good idea to you, O king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 531 | EST | 5 | 4 | m3uy | figs-123person | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ ט֑וֹב | 1 | If it is good to the king | Esther speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “If it seems like a good idea to you, O king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 532 | EST | 5 | 4 | j63r | figs-123person | יָב֨וֹא הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְהָמָן֙ | 1 | let the king come with Haman | Esther speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “O king, please come with Haman” or “you and Haman come” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 533 | EST | 5 | 4 | abt9 | figs-123person | הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֥יתִי לֽוֹ | 1 | the banquet that I have made for him | Esther speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “the banquet that I have prepared for you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 534 | EST | 5 | 4 | abu0 | figs-yousingular | הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֥יתִי לֽוֹ | 1 | the banquet that I have made for him | If you decide to translate this as “the banquet that I have prepared for you,” then the word “you” should be singular, since here it refers just to the king. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-youdual]]) |
| 535 | EST | 5 | 5 | abu1 | figs-explicit | וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | Then the king said | The king would have said this to his servants, not to Esther. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The king said to his servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 536 | EST | 5 | 5 | abu2 | מַהֲרוּ֙ אֶת־הָמָ֔ן לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֑ר | 1 | Bring Haman quickly, in order to do the word of Esther | The **word of Esther** means her invitation to the banquet. Alternate translation: “Go and get Haman and bring him quickly to the banquet that Esther has prepared” | |
| 537 | EST | 5 | 5 | abu3 | עָשְׂתָ֥ה | 1 | had made | “had prepared for them” | |
| 538 | EST | 5 | 6 | abu4 | בְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֔יִן | 1 | during the banquet of wine | “while they were drinking wine” | |
| 539 | EST | 5 | 6 | d5wr | figs-parallelism | מַה־שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֖ךְ וְיִנָּ֣תֵֽן לָ֑ךְ וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת וְתֵעָֽשׂ | 1 | What is your petition? And let it be given to you. And what is your request? As much as half of the kingdom, and let it be done. | These two statements mean almost the same thing. Ahasuerus says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to show that he is truly disposed to give Esther what she wants. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation. Alternate translation: “Now please tell me what you really want. I will do it for you.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 540 | EST | 5 | 6 | pj3p | figs-explicit | מַה־שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֖ךְ וְיִנָּ֣תֵֽן לָ֑ךְ וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת וְתֵעָֽשׂ | 1 | What is your petition? | When Ahasuerus asked Esther in the throne room what she wanted, she said that she wanted him and Haman to come to a banquet she had prepared. But since the king asks her once again at the banquet what she wants, it is clear that he knew this was not her real request. Instead, he knew that she wanted to show him hospitality first, as a gesture of respect for him and their relationship. You can indicate this by translating, “Now please tell me what you really want.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 541 | EST | 5 | 6 | q5nt | figs-abstractnouns | שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֖ךְ…בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ | 1 | your petition…your request | The two abstract nouns “petition” and “request” can be expressed with a single phrase using the verb “want.” Alternate translation: “what you really want” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 542 | EST | 5 | 6 | e2v2 | figs-activepassive | וְיִנָּ֣תֵֽן…וְתֵעָֽשׂ | 1 | And let it be given to you…let it be done | You can capture these parallel passive statements with one statement using an active form. Alternate translation: “I will give you anything you ask for.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 543 | EST | 5 | 6 | j65r | עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת | 1 | As much as half of the kingdom | See how you translated this expression in 5:3. Review the explanation there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “I will give you anything you ask for, no matter how great it is.” | |
| 544 | EST | 5 | 7 | abu5 | figs-hendiadys | וַתַּ֥עַן…וַתֹּאמַ֑ר | 1 | Then…answered and said | Here a single idea is being expressed by using two words connected with “and.” Together the two words mean that Esther responded to the question that the king asked her. Alternate translation: “answered” or “replied” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 545 | EST | 5 | 7 | r4aw | figs-doublet | שְׁאֵלָתִ֖י וּבַקָּשָׁתִֽי | 1 | My petition and my request | The words “petition” and “request” mean the same thing. Esther probably used these words together as a way of speaking very formally and respectfully to the king. Alternate translation: “This is what I want” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 546 | EST | 5 | 7 | abu6 | figs-abstractnouns | שְׁאֵלָתִ֖י וּבַקָּשָׁתִֽי | 1 | My petition and my request | The two abstract nouns “petition” and “request” can be expressed with a single phrase using the verb “want.” Alternate translation: “This is what I want” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 547 | EST | 5 | 8 | c2br | figs-idiom | אִם־מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֜ן בְּעֵינֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | if I have found favor in the eyes of the king | The expression “find favor” means to gain the approval or acceptance of another person. Alternate translation: “if you are pleased with me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 548 | EST | 5 | 8 | abu7 | bita-hq | אִם־מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֜ן בְּעֵינֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | if I have found favor in the eyes of the king | Here **eyes** figuratively represent seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. The phrase means for King Ahasuerus to be pleased with Esther and so willing to grant her request. Alternate translation: Alternate translation: “if the king evaluates me and approves” or “if the king is pleased with me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 549 | EST | 5 | 8 | c2jy | figs-123person | אִם־מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֜ן בְּעֵינֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | if I have found favor in the eyes of the king | Esther speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “if you evaluate me and approve” or “if you are pleased with me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 550 | EST | 5 | 8 | abu8 | figs-idiom | וְאִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ ט֔וֹב | 1 | if it is good to the king | This is an idiom. See how you translated it in 1:19, 3:9, and 5:4. Alternate translation: “If it seems like a good idea to you, O king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 551 | EST | 5 | 8 | j69r | figs-doublet | לָתֵת֙ אֶת־שְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י וְלַעֲשׂ֖וֹת אֶת־בַּקָּשָׁתִ֑י | 1 | to grant my petition and to perform my request | The phrases “to grant my petition” and “to perform my request” mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “to give me what I want” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 552 | EST | 5 | 8 | x8hf | figs-123person | יָב֧וֹא הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ וְהָמָ֗ן אֶל־הַמִּשְׁתֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם | 1 | let the king come with Haman to the banquet that I will make for them | Esther speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “Please come with Haman to another banquet that I will prepare for you.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 553 | EST | 5 | 8 | j71r | figs-youdual | יָב֧וֹא הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ וְהָמָ֗ן אֶל־הַמִּשְׁתֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם | 1 | let the king come with Haman to the banquet that I will make for them | If you decide to translate this as “the banquet that I have prepared for you,” then the word “you” should be dual if your language uses that form, since it refers to the king and Haman, otherwise it should be plural. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-youdual]]) |
| 554 | EST | 5 | 8 | abu9 | וּמָחָ֥ר אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה כִּדְבַ֥ר הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | and tomorrow I will do according to the word of the king | The **word of the king** means his request for Esther to tell him what she wants. Alternate translation: “I will answer your question then” | |
| 555 | EST | 5 | 8 | gf9b | figs-123person | כִּדְבַ֥ר הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | according to the word of the king | Esther speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “according to your word” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 556 | EST | 5 | 9 | abv1 | וַיֵּצֵ֤א | 1 | And…went out | “And…left the banquet” | |
| 557 | EST | 5 | 9 | j73r | figs-doublet | שָׂמֵ֖חַ וְט֣וֹב לֵ֑ב | 1 | joyful and good of heart | The word “joyful” and the phrase “good of heart” mean the same thing. These terms are used together to show that Haman was very happy after attending Esther’s banquet with King Ahasuerus. Alternate translation: “feeling very happy” [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]] |
| 558 | EST | 5 | 9 | j75r | bita-hq | וְט֣וֹב לֵ֑ב | 1 | and good of heart | Here **heart** figuratively represents the action of thinking or feeling. The phrase means that Haman felt happy. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 559 | EST | 5 | 9 | dkg6 | figs-explicit | וְלֹא־קָם֙ | 1 | that he neither rose up | Under other circumstances, officials were expected to bow low to the ground to show respect for Haman. (See 3:2.) But since Mordecai was already sitting on the ground as a sign of mourning, he would have been expected to stand up to show respect. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Mordecai did not stand up to show respect for Haman” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 560 | EST | 5 | 9 | j77r | translate-symaction | וְלֹא־זָ֣ע מִמֶּ֔נּוּ | 1 | nor trembled from him | The phrase means that Mordecai was not afraid of Haman or of what Haman might do to him for refusing to show the respect that the king had commanded. Alternate translation: “or tremble fearfully in front of him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]]) |
| 561 | EST | 5 | 9 | s47u | figs-metaphor | וַיִּמָּלֵ֥א הָמָ֛ן עַֽל־מָרְדֳּכַ֖י חֵמָֽה | 1 | then Haman was filled with rage on account of Mordecai | Here Haman’s rage is described here as something that could fill him up. See how you translated this expression in 3:5. Alternate translation: “Haman became very angry because of Mordecai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 562 | EST | 5 | 10 | v5nl | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | וַיִּתְאַפַּ֣ק הָמָ֔ן | 1 | But Haman restrained himself | There is a contrast between this sentence and the previous one. Haman felt very much like doing one thing, but he decided it would be better to do something else. The contrast can be indicated with a phrase such as “but even though.” Alternate translation: “But even though Haman was so angry, he kept himself from losing his temper” or “Haman refused to show how angry he was” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 563 | EST | 5 | 10 | abv2 | וַיָּב֖וֹא אֶל־בֵּית֑וֹ | 1 | and went to his house | “went home” | |
| 564 | EST | 5 | 10 | abv3 | וַיִּשְׁלַ֛ח וַיָּבֵ֥א | 1 | Then he sent and brought | “he gathered togethered” | |
| 565 | EST | 5 | 10 | bcn1 | translate-names | זֶ֥רֶשׁ | 1 | Zeresh | This is a woman’s name. It occurs several times in this chapter and the next. Be sure to translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 566 | EST | 5 | 11 | abv4 | וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר | 1 | Then…recounted | “Then…boasted” | |
| 567 | EST | 5 | 11 | mvm5 | figs-abstractnouns | כְּב֥וֹד עָשְׁר֖וֹ | 1 | the glory of his wealth | “Glory” and “wealth” are both abstract nouns. Alternate translation: “Haman told them about how great his wealth was” or “Haman told them about the many great things he owned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 568 | EST | 5 | 11 | j79r | figs-symaction | וְרֹ֣ב בָּנָ֑יו | 1 | and the multitude of his sons | Having many sons was probably seen as a mark of honor and status in Persian culture. This phrase probably means that Haman was boasting about the status he enjoyed in Persian society. Alternate translation: “how many sons he had” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 569 | EST | 5 | 11 | abv5 | figs-gendernotations | בָּנָ֑יו | 1 | his sons | This word can sometimes be used in Hebrew to mean both male and female children. However, here it clearly refers to male children, so you should translate it that way. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 570 | EST | 5 | 11 | m7fq | גִּדְּל֤וֹ | 1 | made him great | “how the king had promoted him many times” or “how the king had honored him many times by giving him more important work” | |
| 571 | EST | 5 | 11 | b7c5 | bita-humanbehavior | נִשְּׂא֔וֹ עַל | 1 | he had lifted him over | Here **lifting** is a metaphor meaning to “advance” or “promote” a person to a higher, more important position than they had previously. Alternate translation: “given him a position more important than” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-part1]]) |
| 572 | EST | 5 | 11 | abv6 | figs-explicit | הַשָּׂרִ֖ים וְעַבְדֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | the officials and administrators of the king | This means all of the others, as 3:1 makes clear. Alternate translation: “all of his other officials and administrators” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 573 | EST | 5 | 12 | abv7 | figs-exclamations | אַ֣ף | 1 | In addition | Alternate translation: “And that is not all!” You can translate it as an exclamation because Haman believes he has saved the best for last and is now introducing what he considers to be his most recent significant honor. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations]]) |
| 574 | EST | 5 | 12 | w1bm | לֹא־הֵבִיאָה֩ אֶסְתֵּ֨ר הַמַּלְכָּ֧ה עִם־הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ…כִּ֣י אִם־אוֹתִ֑י | 1 | Esther the queen did not bring anyone with the king…except me | This can be expressed positively. Alternate translation: “I was the only one Queen Esther invited besides the king” or “Queen Esther invited just two of us, the king and me.” | |
| 575 | EST | 5 | 12 | abv8 | עָשָׂ֖תָה | 1 | she had made | “she had prepared” | |
| 576 | EST | 5 | 12 | abv9 | figs-activepassive | וְגַם־לְמָחָ֛ר אֲנִ֥י קָֽרוּא־לָ֖הּ עִם־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | And also for tomorrow, I am called by her with the king | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “And she has also invited only me to attend another banquet with the king tomorrow.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 577 | EST | 5 | 13 | abw0 | figs-metaphor | וְכָל־זֶ֕ה אֵינֶ֥נּוּ שֹׁוֶ֖ה לִ֑י בְּכָל־עֵ֗ת אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲנִ֤י רֹאֶה֙ | 1 | But all of this is not equal for me to every time that I see | This is a figurative way of speaking. It is as if Haman is weighing his happiness on one side of a scale and his unhappiness on the other side. Haman is saying his happiness over all the honors he has received is still not greater than his unhappiness over seeing Mordecai fail to honor him, so on balance, he is unhappy. Alternate translation: “I still cannot be happy as long as I keep seeing” or “all of this does not make me happy” or “does not satisfy me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 578 | EST | 5 | 13 | wu84 | וְכָל־זֶ֕ה | 1 | But all of this | Haman is continuing to speak here. You can show this by beginning with, “Then Haman said” | |
| 579 | EST | 5 | 13 | abw1 | figs-informremind | הַיְּהוּדִ֔י | 1 | the Jew | This phrase gives clarifying information about Mordecai. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 580 | EST | 5 | 13 | abw2 | figs-explicit | יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | sitting at the gate of the king | Haman could be referring to the way Mordecai has been refusing to stand up to honor him. Or he could be referring generally to the way Mordecai has never honored him (by either bowing or standing up) ever since he was appointed to a position in the king’s service and stationed at the gate. Either way, being reminded of this dishonor is the reason why Haman continues to be unhappy. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “sitting at the palace gate and refusing to honor me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 581 | EST | 5 | 13 | abw3 | בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | the gate of the king | “the palace gate” | |
| 582 | EST | 5 | 14 | j81r | וְכָל־אֹֽהֲבָ֗יו | 1 | with all his friends | This means the friends whom Haman had invited to his home that day. Alternate translation: “his friends who were there” | |
| 583 | EST | 5 | 14 | abw4 | וַתֹּ֣אמֶר לוֹ֩ | 1 | Then…said to him | “suggested” | |
| 584 | EST | 5 | 14 | abw5 | figs-explicit | יַֽעֲשׂוּ | 1 | Let them make | You can say who would do the action. Alternate translation: “have your servants set up” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 585 | EST | 5 | 14 | i2f3 | bita-plants | עֵץ֮ | 1 | a tree | See how you translated this in 2:23. Review the note there if that would be helpful. Be sure your translation is consistent in the chapters that follow. Alternate translation: “wooden pole” or “gallows” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 586 | EST | 5 | 14 | k8zd | translate-bdistance | גָּבֹ֣הַּ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אַמָּה֒ | 1 | 50 cubits high | You can convert this to a modern measure. Alternate translation: “seventy-five feet high” or “twenty-three meters high” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 587 | EST | 5 | 14 | abw6 | וּבַבֹּ֣קֶר | 1 | And in the morning | “then tomorrow morning” | |
| 588 | EST | 5 | 14 | abw7 | אֱמֹ֣ר לַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וְיִתְל֤וּ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַי֙ עָלָ֔יו | 1 | say to the king, and let them hang Mordecai on it | While Haman’s servants would likely carry out the action, it would happen under Haman’s orders and perhaps under his supervision, so you can describe him as the one who does the action if that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: “tell the king that you want to impale [or hang] Mordecai on it” | |
| 589 | EST | 5 | 14 | abw8 | grammar-connect-logic-result | וּבֹֽא…אֶל הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֖ה שָׂמֵ֑חַ | 1 | Then go…to the banquet joyful | **Then** indicates more than a time sequence here. Zeresh and the friends are saying what the result would be. Alternate translation: “Once you have executed him, you will be able to go to the banquet … in a good mood” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 590 | EST | 5 | 14 | bbs9 | figs-metonymy | וַיִּיטַ֧ב הַדָּבָ֛ר לִפְנֵ֥י הָמָ֖ן | 1 | And the word was good before the face of Haman | The **word** was the suggestion that Zeresh and the friends made. Here **face** figuratively represents Haman himself by something associated with him, his face, which showed what he was thinking and feeling. Alternate translation: “Haman decided that he liked this idea” or “That idea pleased Haman very much” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonym]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 591 | EST | 5 | 14 | i8is | וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָעֵֽץ | 1 | and he made the tree | Haman most likely did not do this personally. He ordered it to be done. Alternate translation: “he gave his servants orders to set up the pole” or “he told his servants to construct the gallows” | |
| 592 | EST | 5 | 14 | j83r | bita-plants | הָעֵֽץ | 1 | the tree | You should translate this the same way you did earlier in the verse, “the pole” or “the gallows.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 593 | EST | 6 | intro | i9x7 | 0 | # Esther 06 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter continues the story of Haman’s fall.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Approaching the king<br>It was not possible for a person to easily approach the king. Normally, access to him was very limited. There are several events in this chapter which show the layers of protection surrounding the king.<br> | |||
| 594 | EST | 6 | 1 | j85r | writing-newevent | בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַה֔וּא | 1 | That night | This introduces a new event in the story. Use a natural way of introducing a new event in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) |
| 595 | EST | 6 | 1 | abw9 | figs-personification | נָדְדָ֖ה שְׁנַ֣ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | the sleep of the king fled away | Here **sleep** is spoken of as if it were a living thing that could flee away. Alternate translation: “the king was unable to sleep” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 596 | EST | 6 | 1 | abx1 | figs-explicit | וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לְהָבִ֞יא | 1 | And he said to bring | **He** means the king. The implication is that he told the young men who attended him to do this. Verses 3 and 5 indicate this. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. “So he told the young men who attended him to bring in” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 597 | EST | 6 | 1 | abx2 | סֵ֤פֶר הַזִּכְרֹנוֹת֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֔ים | 1 | the book of records of the events of days | This is equivalent to the expression “the book of the events of days” in 2:23. See how you translated that expression. Alternate translation: “the royal chronicles” or “the records of what had happened during all the time he had been king.” | |
| 598 | EST | 6 | 1 | abx3 | וַיִּהְי֥וּ נִקְרָאִ֖ים | 1 | they were being called out | This means that the chronicles were read out loud. You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “The young men got the chronicles and began to read them out loud” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) | |
| 599 | EST | 6 | 1 | j87r | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | before the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. This phrase means that the book was being read in the king’s presence. Alternate translation: “to the king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 600 | EST | 6 | 2 | u4gi | figs-activepassive | וַיִּמָּצֵ֣א כָת֗וּב | 1 | And it was found written | Both terms **found** and **recorded** can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “They found that the writers had recorded there” or “They learned that the writers had written” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 601 | EST | 6 | 2 | abx4 | figs-explicit | הִגִּ֨יד מָרְדֳּכַ֜י עַל | 1 | Mordecai had told about | The implication is that Mordecai had saved the king’s life by discovering the plot and telling him about it. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Mordecai had saved the king’s life by discovering a plot against the king and telling him about it.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 602 | EST | 6 | 2 | abx5 | figs-events | הִגִּ֨יד מָרְדֳּכַ֜י עַל | 1 | Mordecai had told about | To relate the events in chronological order, you can put this at the end of the verse. Alternate translation: “But Mordecai had saved the king’s life by discovering their plot and telling him about it.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 603 | EST | 6 | 2 | syd9 | translate-names | בִּגְתָ֣נָא וָתֶ֗רֶשׁ | 1 | Bigthana and Teresh | These are the same two men who are named in 2:21. However, there the first man’s name is said to be “Bigthan.” Decide on a consistent way of translating these names so your readers will know that they are the same men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 604 | EST | 6 | 2 | abx6 | translate-unknown | שְׁנֵי֙ סָרִיסֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | two of the eunuchs of the king | See how you translated the term “eunuch” in 1:10. Alternate translation: “two of the royal guardians” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknowns]]) |
| 605 | EST | 6 | 2 | abx7 | מִשֹּׁמְרֵ֖י הַסַּ֑ף | 1 | who were from the guardians of the doorway | See how you translated this expression in 2:23. Alternate translation: “who protected the doorway to the king's private quarters” | |
| 606 | EST | 6 | 2 | abx8 | bita-humanbehavior | בִּקְשׁוּ֙ | 1 | they had sought | Here **seeking** figuratively means actively trying to do something. Alternate translation: “they had planned” or “they had tried” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 607 | EST | 6 | 2 | j89r | figs-idiom | לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ יָ֔ד | 1 | to stretch out a hand | As in 2:21, the expression **to stretch out a hand** means to cause someone physical harm with the intention of killing them. Alternate translation: “to assassinate” or “to kill” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 608 | EST | 6 | 3 | abx9 | וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | The the king said | “Then the king asked” | |
| 609 | EST | 6 | 3 | lmz6 | figs-doublet | מַֽה־נַּעֲשָׂ֞ה יְקָ֧ר וּגְדוּלָּ֛ה לְמָרְדֳּכַ֖י | 1 | What honor or great deed was done for Mordecai | **Honor** and **great deed** have similar meanings and they are used together emphasize that Mordecai should certainly have been honored in some way for saving the king’s life. If it would be clearer in your language, you can express this general meaning by saying something like, “What did I do to honor Mordecai?” Alternate translation: “What did we do to reward Mordecai or to show that we appreciated what he did?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 610 | EST | 6 | 3 | aby0 | figs-activepassive | נַּעֲשָׂ֞ה | 1 | was done | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “What did I do” or “What did we do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 611 | EST | 6 | 3 | aby1 | עַל־זֶ֑ה | 1 | on account of this | “for saving my life” | |
| 612 | EST | 6 | 3 | n2az | figs-activepassive | לֹא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה עִמּ֖וֹ דָּבָֽר | 1 | Not a thing has been done with him | You can say this with an active form. However, it would be good to say this in a way that does not create the impression that the young men are accusing the king. Alternate translation: “No one did anything for him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 613 | EST | 6 | 4 | aby2 | figs-explicit | מִ֣י בֶחָצֵ֑ר | 1 | Who is in the court? | The implication is that King Ahasuerus wanted to consult somebody about the best way to honor Mordecai. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. The story has already said in 1:13 that it was the king's habit to consult his advisors on important questions. Alternate translation: “The king wanted to consult someone about the best way to honor Mordecai, so he asked, ‘Is anyone out in the courtyard?’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 614 | EST | 6 | 4 | aby3 | מִ֣י בֶחָצֵ֑ר | 1 | Who is in the court? | In order to present the events in logical and chronological order, you can put the king’s question last in the verse if that would be more natural in your language. Haman had already come in the courtyard by the time the king asked this question. | |
| 615 | EST | 6 | 4 | guv8 | בֶחָצֵ֑ר | 1 | in the court | “courtyard” | |
| 616 | EST | 6 | 4 | j91r | writing-background | וְהָמָ֣ן בָּ֗א לַחֲצַ֤ר בֵּית־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה לֵאמֹ֣ר לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לִתְלוֹת֙ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֔י עַל־הָעֵ֖ץ אֲשֶׁר־הֵכִ֥ין לֽוֹ | 1 | Now Haman had come into the outer court of the house of the king to say to the king to hang Mordecai on the tree that he had prepared for him | This sentence indicates that Haman had already entered the outer court when King Ahasuerus asked his question. You could indicate this with a phrase such as “at that moment” or “just then” or “while they were talking” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-orderHeb]]) |
| 617 | EST | 6 | 4 | rg8t | לַחֲצַ֤ר בֵּית־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ הַחִ֣יצוֹנָ֔ה | 1 | to the outer court of the house of the king | Alternate translation: “the outer courtyard of the palace.” This phrase is describing the first courtyard a person would come to after entering the palace from the outside. | |
| 618 | EST | 6 | 4 | vu7p | לֵאמֹ֣ר לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לִתְלוֹת֙ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֔י עַל־הָעֵ֖ץ | 1 | to say to the king to hang Mordecai | “to tell the king that he wanted to hang Mordecai” or “to tell the king that he wanted to impale Mordecai” | |
| 619 | EST | 6 | 4 | at53 | הָעֵ֖ץ אֲשֶׁר־הֵכִ֥ין לֽוֹ | 1 | the tree that he had prepared for him | “on the pole that he had set up” or “on the gallows that he had set up” | |
| 620 | EST | 6 | 4 | aby4 | bita-plants | הָעֵ֖ץ | 1 | the tree | See how you translated this term in 2:23 and 5:14. Review the note to 2:23 if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “pole” or “gallows” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 621 | EST | 6 | 5 | aby5 | figs-explicit | וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ נַעֲרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ | 1 | And the young men of the king said | It is implied that the young men went and looked, perhaps through a window or a doorway, to see who might be in the courtyard before they answered the king. You can say that if it would make the translation clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “the young men who served the king looked and saw that Haman was in the courtyard. They said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 622 | EST | 6 | 5 | j93r | הִנֵּ֥ה | 1 | Behold | This is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If there is not a good way to translate this term in your language, this term can be omitted from the translation. You could also have the young men address the king directly to get his attention. Alternate translation: “O king” | |
| 623 | EST | 6 | 5 | j95r | יָבֽוֹא | 1 | Let him come | “Bring him in” | |
| 624 | EST | 6 | 6 | j97r | וַיָּבוֹא֮ הָמָן֒ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | Then Haman came, and the king said to him | “When Haman came in, the king said” | |
| 625 | EST | 6 | 6 | ky5i | figs-123person | מַה־לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת בָּאִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֣ץ בִּיקָר֑וֹ | 1 | What is one to do for the man in whose honor the king is delighted? | Here the king speaks of himself in the third person. If it would be clearer in your language, you can use the first person instead. Alternate translation: “What should I do for the man whom I would really like to honor?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 626 | EST | 6 | 6 | n3r5 | figs-idiom | אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֣ץ בִּיקָר֑וֹ | 1 | in whose honor the king is delighted | To delight in doing something means to be glad to do it and to really want to do it. Alternate translation: “whom I am glad to honor” or “whom I want to honor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 627 | EST | 6 | 6 | jh4i | bita-hq | וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הָמָן֙ בְּלִבּ֔וֹ | 1 | Then Haman said in his heart | Here **heart** could mean two different things. 1) “Heart” could figuratively represent the action of thinking or feeling. In that case, the phrase would mean, “Then Haman said in his thoughts.” 2) “Heart” could also be a metaphor meaning to “be inside” someone or something. In that case, the phrase would mean, “Then Haman said inside himself.” But either way, the phrase means that Haman was not saying this out loud, but saying it to himself in his thoughts. Alternate translation: “Haman thought to himself” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 628 | EST | 6 | 6 | yft1 | figs-rquestion | לְמִ֞י יַחְפֹּ֥ץ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת יְקָ֖ר יוֹתֵ֥ר מִמֶּֽנִּי | 1 | For whom would the king delight to do honor more than me | Haman is actually making a statement to himself rather than asking a question and trying to figure out the answer. He uses a question form to emphasize how true he believes the statement to be. If it would be clearer in your language, instead of a question you could use a statement such as, “Surely there is no one whom the king would take pleasure in honoring more than me!” Alternate translation: “Whom would the king like to honor more than me?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) |
| 629 | EST | 6 | 7 | j1d1 | figs-idiom | אִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ | 1 | For a man in whose honor the king is delighted | To delight in doing something means to be glad to do it and to really want to do it. Alternate translation: “for a man the king is glad to honor” or “for a man the king wants to honor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 630 | EST | 6 | 7 | aby6 | figs-123person | אִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ | 1 | For a man in whose honor the king is delighted | Haman speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. You can have him address the king in the second person. Alternate translation: “If you really want to honor someone” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 631 | EST | 6 | 8 | mz79 | figs-explicit | יָבִ֨יאוּ֙ | 1 | let them bring | The implication is that the king’s servants would do this. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “let someone bring” or “tell your servants to bring” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 632 | EST | 6 | 8 | aby7 | figs-abstractnouns | לְב֣וּשׁ מַלְכ֔וּת אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָֽבַשׁ־בּ֖וֹ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | a garment of royalty with which the king has clothed himself | **Royalty** is an abstract noun that refers to the royal authority that the king exercised. You can translate this idea with an adjective, “a royal garment.” Alternate translation: “one of your own royal robes that you have already worn yourself” or “one of the robes you wear to show that you are the king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 633 | EST | 6 | 8 | aby8 | figs-123person | אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָֽבַשׁ־בּ֖וֹ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | with which the king has clothed himself | Haman speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. You can have him address the king in the second person. Alternate translation: “that you have already worn yourself” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 634 | EST | 6 | 8 | aby9 | figs-123person | וְס֗וּס אֲשֶׁ֨ר רָכַ֤ב עָלָיו֙ | 1 | and a horse on which the king has ridden | Haman speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. You can have him address the king in the second person. Alternate translation: “a horse that you have already ridden yourself” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 635 | EST | 6 | 8 | r63j | figs-activepassive | וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִתַּ֛ן כֶּ֥תֶר מַלְכ֖וּת בְּרֹאשֽׁוֹ | 1 | and which has been given a crown of royalty for its head | This whole phrase refers to the horse. You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “and that has a royal crown on its head” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 636 | EST | 6 | 8 | abz0 | figs-explicit | וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִתַּ֛ן כֶּ֥תֶר מַלְכ֖וּת בְּרֹאשֽׁוֹ | 1 | and which has been given a crown of royalty for its head | The implication is that this would be done to show that this was one of the king’s own horses. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “and that has a royal crown on its head to show that it belongs to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 637 | EST | 6 | 8 | abz1 | figs-abstractnouns | כֶּ֥תֶר מַלְכ֖וּת | 1 | a crown of royalty | **Royalty** is an abstract noun that refers to the royal authority that the king exercised. You can translate this idea with an adjective, “a royal crown.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 638 | EST | 6 | 9 | pp3l | bita-hq | וְנָת֨וֹן הַלְּב֜וּשׁ וְהַסּ֗וּס עַל־יַד־אִ֞ישׁ מִשָּׂרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ | 1 | Then give this garment and this horse into the hand of a man from the most noble officials of the king | Here **hand** is a metaphor meaning power, control, or authority. It appears that the king himself would not perform such acts of service to one of his subjects, even if he really wanted to honor that person. So Haman is saying that on behalf of the king, representing his authority and power, one of the king’s most noble officials should present the man with the robe and the horse. Alternate translation: “Then, on your behalf, have one of your most noble officials present the man with the robe and the horse.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 639 | EST | 6 | 9 | j1d3 | figs-123person | אִ֞ישׁ מִשָּׂרֵ֤י הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֔ים | 1 | a man from the most noble officials of the king | Haman speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. If it would be clearer in your language, you can use the second person. Alternate translation: “one of your most noble officials” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 640 | EST | 6 | 9 | pfz6 | figs-explicit | וְהִלְבִּ֨ישׁוּ֙ | 1 | And let them clothe | Since **them** is plural, it likely refers to the king’s servants. You can say this explicitly if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “Have your servants clothe … with the robe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 641 | EST | 6 | 9 | j1d5 | figs-idiom | הָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֣ץ בִּֽיקָר֑וֹ | 1 | the man in whose honor the king is delighted | To delight in doing something means to be glad to do something or to want to do something. Alternate translation: “the man whom you really want to honor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 642 | EST | 6 | 9 | abz2 | figs-123person | הָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֣ץ בִּֽיקָר֑וֹ | 1 | the man in whose honor the king is delighted | Haman speaks to the king in the third person as a sign of respect. If it would clearer in your language, you can use the second person. Alternate translation: “the man whom you really want to honor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 643 | EST | 6 | 9 | abz3 | וְהִרְכִּיבֻ֤הוּ עַל־הַסּוּס֙ | 1 | and cause him to ride on the horse | “Have them seat that man on the horse and then lead the horse” | |
| 644 | EST | 6 | 9 | abz4 | בִּרְח֣וֹב הָעִ֔יר | 1 | in the open place of the city | This refers to a large, open space in the city, either the space that was in front of the palace (as in 4:6), or a space inside one of the city gates. In either case, this would have been a public area where people could gather, and so it was a place where a great number of people would have seen how the king was honoring Mordecai. Alternate translation: “through the public square of the city” | |
| 645 | EST | 6 | 9 | qs3k | וְקָרְא֣וּ | 1 | and proclaim | “and tell the noble official and servants to proclaim” or “and have them shout out” | |
| 646 | EST | 6 | 9 | j1d7 | bita-hq | לְפָנָ֔יו | 1 | before his face | Here **face** figuratively represents the front of a person. The phrase means that the servants were to shout out to the people in front of Mordecai, that is, the people who were in the path of his horse as it approached. Alternate translation: “to everyone in front of them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 647 | EST | 6 | 9 | j1d9 | figs-idiom | כָּ֚כָה יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה לָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ | 1 | Thus shall it be done for the man in whose honor the king is delighted | To delight in doing something means to be glad to do something or to want to do something. Alternate translation: “The king is doing this because he really wants to honor this man!” or “This is what the king does when he especially wants to honor someone!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 648 | EST | 6 | 10 | j2d1 | figs-explicit | וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְהָמָ֗ן | 1 | So the king said to Haman | The implication is that the king liked Haman’s suggestion. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The king liked this idea, so he replied” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 649 | EST | 6 | 10 | abz5 | כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבַּ֔רְתָּ וַֽעֲשֵׂה־כֵן֙ | 1 | according to how you have spoken, and do thus | “be sure to do absolutely everything you have said” or “do just what you have suggested” | |
| 650 | EST | 6 | 10 | abz6 | figs-idiom | הַיּוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | the man who sits at the gate of the king | As in 2:19, this is likely an idiom that means that Mordecai worked for the king in some capacity and was stationed at the gate. Alternate translation: “one of my servants, who is stationed at the gate to the palace” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 651 | EST | 6 | 10 | abz7 | figs-123person | הַיּוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | the man who sits at the gate of the king | Here the king speaks of himself in the third person. If it would be clearer in your language, you can use the first person. Alternate translation: “one of my servants, who is stationed at the gate to the palace” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 652 | EST | 6 | 10 | gln7 | figs-metaphor | אַל־תַּפֵּ֣ל דָּבָ֔ר | 1 | Do not allow a word to fail | Here the action of letting **fall** is a metaphor meaning to leave out or leave unfulfilled. The phrase means that Haman must do absolutely everything that he said. Alternate translation: “Do not leave out anything that you suggested” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-part1]]) |
| 653 | EST | 6 | 10 | abz8 | figs-doublenegatives | אַל־תַּפֵּ֣ל דָּבָ֔ר | 1 | Do not allow a word to fail | This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “Be sure to do absolutely everything that you have said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]]) |
| 654 | EST | 6 | 11 | abz9 | וַיַּרְכִּיבֵ֨הוּ֙ בִּרְח֣וֹב הָעִ֔יר | 1 | and paraded him in the open place of the city | See how you translated these expressions in verse 9. Alternate translation: “seated him on the horse and then led the horse through the public square of the city” | |
| 655 | EST | 6 | 11 | j2d5 | bita-hq | וַיִּקְרָ֣א לְפָנָ֔יו | 1 | called out before his face | Here **face** figuratively represents the front of a person. The phrase means that the servants were to shout out to the people in front Mordecai, that is, the people who were in the path of his horse as it approached. Alternate translation: “shouted out to everyone in front of him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 656 | EST | 6 | 11 | j2d7 | figs-idiom | אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ | 1 | Thus shall it be done for the man in whose honor the king is delighted | To delight in doing something means to be glad to do something or to want to do something. Alternate translation: “The king is doing this because he really wants to honor this man!” (See: Idiom)(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 657 | EST | 6 | 12 | aca0 | כָּ֚כָה יֵעָשֶׂ֣ה לָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חָפֵ֥ץ בִּיקָרֽוֹ | 1 | the gate of the king | “the gate to the king’s palace” | |
| 658 | EST | 6 | 12 | uri5 | translate-symaction | אָבֵ֖ל וַחֲפ֥וּי רֹֽאשׁ | 1 | mourning with a covering of head | People often covered their head to show that they were either extremely sad or ashamed. Alternate translation: “covering his head because he felt completely disgraced” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]]) |
| 659 | EST | 6 | 13 | j3d1 | figs-explicit | וַיְסַפֵּ֨ר הָמָ֜ן | 1 | Then Haman recounted | The implication is that just as Haman gathered his friends together in 5:10 to boast of his status, now he gathered them together once again to talk about what had just happened. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Haman gathered his friends together once again. He told…” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 660 | EST | 6 | 13 | aca1 | figs-explicit | כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר קָרָ֑הוּ | 1 | everything that had happened to him | The implication is, he told about the things that had happened to him “that day.” If that would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 661 | EST | 6 | 13 | aca2 | figs-explicit | וַיֹּ֩אמְרוּ֩ ל֨וֹ חֲכָמָ֜יו וְזֶ֣רֶשׁ | 1 | Then his wise men and Zeresh said to him | The implication is that just as King Ahasuerus had royal advisors, Haman had advisors of his own. They would have been included among the “friends” he gathered for this occasion. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Some of his friends were also his advisors, and they and his wife Zeresh told him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 662 | EST | 6 | 13 | aca3 | חֲכָמָ֜יו | 1 | his wise men | See how you translated this expression in 1:13. Alternate translation: “his advisors” | |
| 663 | EST | 6 | 13 | fd5k | figs-metaphor | אִ֣ם…מָרְדֳּכַ֞י אֲשֶׁר֩ הַחִלּ֨וֹתָ לִנְפֹּ֤ל לְפָנָיו֙ | 1 | If Mordecai, before whose face you have begun to fall | This could mean either of two possibilities: (1) The action of falling could refer to bowing down and it could be a metaphor meaning to be dishonored and defeated. Haman wanted Mordecai to bow down in front of him. But instead, the story would be saying, Haman is starting to bow down (in a metaphorical sense) in front of Mordecai. Alternate translation: “Mordecai has begun to humiliate you. If he…” (2) “Fall” could be a figurative way of saying “be killed in battle.” In that case Zeresh would be comparing Haman and Mordecai to two soldiers who are fighting. She is saying that Haman has already “begun to fall,” that is, he is losing the battle, and he is likely to be killed. Alternate translation: “Mordecai has begun to defeat you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 664 | EST | 6 | 13 | j3d3 | bita-hq | לְפָנָיו֙ | 1 | before…face | Here **face** figuratively represents the front of a person. The phrase either means (1) that Haman has already begun to fall down (bow down) in front of Mordecai figuratively, or (2) that Haman and Mordecai are facing one another figuratively in hand-to-hand combat. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 665 | EST | 6 | 13 | bita-plants | מִזֶּ֣רַע הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים | 1 | from the seed of the Jews | Here **seed** is a metaphor meaning “offspring.” It is a comparison: Just as plants produce seeds that grow into many more plants, so people can have many offspring. Alternate translation: “one of the Jewish people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) | |
| 666 | EST | 6 | 13 | nan5 | figs-metaphor | לֹא־תוּכַ֣ל ל֔וֹ | 1 | you will not prevail against him | Here Haman’s wife and friends are again speaking figuratively as if Haman is in a battle with Mordecai. Alternate translation: “you will not win against him” or “you will not have greater honor than he has” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 667 | EST | 6 | 13 | j3d5 | grammar-connect-logic-contrast | כִּֽי | 1 | but | This conjunction indicates a contrast between the actions of prevailing (in the previous clause) and falling. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]]) |
| 668 | EST | 6 | 13 | j3d7 | figs-metaphor | נָפ֥וֹל תִּפּ֖וֹל | 1 | you will surely fall | Here the action of **falling** (1) either refers once again to prostrating oneself, and is a metaphor meaning to be dishonored and defeated, or (2) Haman’s wife and friends are saying that defeat will be the outcome of the figurative battle for him. Alternate translation: “he will certainly defeat you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-part1]]) |
| 669 | EST | 6 | 13 | j3d9 | bita-hq | לְפָנָֽיו | 1 | before his face | Here **face** figuratively represents the front of a person. The phrase either means (1) that Haman will figuratively fall down (bow down) entirely in front of Mordecai, or (2) that figuratively Mordecai will kill Haman in face-to-face combat. Alternate translation: “he will certainly defeat you”(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 670 | EST | 6 | 14 | j4d1 | grammar-connect-time-background | עוֹדָם֙ מְדַבְּרִ֣ים עִמּ֔וֹ | 1 | They were still speaking with him when the eunuchs of the king arrived | This phrase indicates something that happened after Haman’s wife and friends started talking with Haman and while they were still talking. You should indicate this with a phrase such as “while.” Alternate translation: “While they were still talking together, the king’s eunuchs arrived.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]]) |
| 671 | EST | 6 | 14 | aca4 | translate-unknown | וְסָרִיסֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ | 1 | when the eunuchs of the king | See how you decided to translate this term in 1:10. Alternate translation: “some of the royal guardians” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 672 | EST | 6 | 14 | aca5 | וַיַּבְהִ֨לוּ֙ לְהָבִ֣יא אֶת־הָמָ֔ן | 1 | And they hurried to bring Haman | “they wanted to bring Haman quickly” | |
| 673 | EST | 6 | 14 | aca6 | אֲשֶׁר־עָשְׂתָ֥ה אֶסְתֵּֽר | 1 | that Esther had made | “that Esther had prepared” | |
| 674 | EST | 7 | intro | x4w3 | 0 | # Esther 07 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>The story of Haman’s fall concludes in this chapter.<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### Covering Haman’s face<br><br>When “the servants covered Haman’s face,” they were showing that he had been condemned to be executed. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/condemn]])<br> | |||
| 675 | EST | 7 | 1 | n8vb | figs-synecdoche | וַיָּבֹ֤א הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ וְהָמָ֔ן לִשְׁתּ֖וֹת עִם־אֶסְתֵּ֥ר הַמַּלְכָּֽה | 1 | So the king came with Haman to drink with Esther the queen. | Esther hosted Ahasuerus and Haman for more than just drinks. This is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to mean the whole thing. An entire banquet is being described here by reference to one part of it, the drinks. Alternate translation: “So the king and Haman went to the second banquet that Queen Esther had prepared.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 676 | EST | 7 | 2 | xt9f | translate-ordinal | בַּיּ֤וֹם הַשֵּׁנִי֙ | 1 | on the second day | Alternate translation: “at that second banquet” or “on that second day of feasting” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 677 | EST | 7 | 2 | s5ae | בְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֔יִן | 1 | during the banquet of wine | “while they were drinking wine” or “while the servants were pouring the wine and giving it to them” | |
| 678 | EST | 7 | 2 | yks7 | figs-parallelism | מַה־שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֛ךְ…וְתִנָּ֣תֵֽן לָ֑ךְ וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת וְתֵעָֽשׂ | 1 | What is your petition…And let it be given to you. And what is your request? As much as half of the kingdom, and let it be done. | These two statements mean almost the same thing. Ahasuerus says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to show that he is truly disposed to give Esther what she wants. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “Now please tell me what you really want. Tell me, and I will do it for you.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 679 | EST | 7 | 2 | p1xt | figs-explicit | מַה־שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֛ךְ | 1 | What is your petition | Ahasuerus has now allowed Esther to show her hospitality at two banquets. But he knows that she has done this as a gesture of respect for him and their relationship, and that this signals that she has an important and urgent request to make. You can indicate this by having the king ask, “Now please tell me what you really want.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 680 | EST | 7 | 2 | sem7 | figs-activepassive | וְתִנָּ֣תֵֽן…וְתֵעָֽשׂ | 1 | And let it be given to you…and let it be done | You can capture these parallel passive statements with one statement using an active form. Alternate translation: “I will give you what you ask for” or “I will do for you what you ask” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 681 | EST | 7 | 2 | j4d3 | figs-abstractnouns | שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֛ךְ…בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ | 1 | your petition…your request | The two abstract nouns “petition” and “request” can be expressed with a single phrase using the verb “want.” Alternate translation: “what you really want” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 682 | EST | 7 | 2 | j4d5 | figs-hyperbole | עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת | 1 | As much as half of the kingdom | See how you translated this expression in 5:3 and 5:6. Alternate translation: “I will give you anything you ask for, no matter how great it is.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 683 | EST | 7 | 3 | aca7 | figs-hendiadys | וַתַּ֨עַן…וַתֹּאמַ֔ר | 1 | Then…answered and said | Here a single idea is being expressed by using two words connected with “and.” Together the two words mean that Esther responded to the question that the king asked her. Alternate translation: “answered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 684 | EST | 7 | 3 | k27c | figs-idiom | אִם־מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֤ן בְּעֵינֶ֨יךָ֙ | 1 | If I have found favor in your eyes | **Favor** means the approval or acceptance of another person. Alternate translation: “if you evaluate me and approve” or “if you are pleased with me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 685 | EST | 7 | 3 | aca8 | bita-hq | אִם־מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֤ן בְּעֵינֶ֨יךָ֙ | 1 | If I have found favor in your eyes | Here **eyes** figuratively represent seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. Alternate translation: “if you evaluate me and approve” or “if you are pleased with me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 686 | EST | 7 | 3 | j4d7 | הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | O king | In this case Esther is addressing Ahasuerus directly as “O king,” not speaking about him in the third person as a sign of respect, as she and others often do elsewhere in the story. So it would be good to include this phrase in your translation. | |
| 687 | EST | 7 | 3 | aca8 | figs-idiom | וְאִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ ט֑וֹב | 1 | and if it is good to the king | This is an idiom that also appears in 1:19, 3:9, 5:4, and 5:8. The suggested translation in those cases was, “If it seems like a good idea to you, O king.” That was suitable for the deferential tone the speakers were using. But here Esther has just addressed the king directly with “O king” and she is pleading urgently for the survival of her whole people. So an alternate translation here could be something more like, “I hope you will be willing to do what I ask.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 688 | EST | 7 | 3 | aca9 | figs-parallelism | תִּנָּֽתֶן־לִ֤י נַפְשִׁי֙ בִּשְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י וְעַמִּ֖י בְּבַקָּשָׁתִֽי | 1 | let my life be given to me at my petition, and my people at my request | These two phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used to emphasize the idea that they are expressing. You could combine them. Alternate translation: “Please spare my life, and save my people” or “my request is that you spare my life and the lives of my people.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 689 | EST | 7 | 3 | j4d9 | figs-activepassive | תִּנָּֽתֶן־לִ֤י נַפְשִׁי֙ | 1 | let my life be given to me | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “Please spare my life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 690 | EST | 7 | 3 | bvi1 | figs-abstractnouns | בִּשְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י | 1 | at my petition | The abstract noun “petition” can be expressed with the verb “ask for.” Alternate translation: “That is what I am asking for” or “That is what I want” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 691 | EST | 7 | 3 | acb0 | וְעַמִּ֖י | 1 | and my people | “and save my people” | |
| 692 | EST | 7 | 3 | j5d1 | figs-abstractnouns | בְּבַקָּשָׁתִֽי | 1 | at my request | The abstract noun “request” can be expressed with the verb “ask for.” Alternate translation: “That is what I am asking for” or “That is what I want” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 693 | EST | 7 | 4 | acb1 | figs-metaphor | כִּ֤י נִמְכַּ֨רְנוּ֙ | 1 | For we have been sold | As Esther points out later in the verse, the Jews actually have not been exchanged for money. Rather, **sell** is a figurative way of saying “turn over to.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this meaning by saying something like, “For someone has turned us over to our enemies” Alternatively, you could use the same figure, but show that it is a comparison. Alternate translation: “It is as though I and my people are cattle that have been sold to be slaughtered.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 694 | EST | 7 | 4 | fhs7 | figs-activepassive | כִּ֤י נִמְכַּ֨רְנוּ֙ | 1 | For we have been sold | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “For someone has sold us” or “For someone has put us in danger of our enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 695 | EST | 7 | 4 | e9cx | figs-doublet | לְהַשְׁמִ֖יד לַהֲר֣וֹג וּלְאַבֵּ֑ד | 1 | for annihilation, for slaughter, and for destruction | As in 3:13, these words mean the same thing and are used together to emphasize the completeness of the destruction. Alternate translation: “and they are going to destroy us completely” (A “doublet” can involve the use of more than two words.) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 696 | EST | 7 | 4 | acb2 | וְ֠אִלּוּ לַעֲבָדִ֨ים וְלִשְׁפָח֤וֹת נִמְכַּ֨רְנוּ֙ | 1 | if we had been sold as slaves and female servants | “if the men and even the women had been sold into slavery” | |
| 697 | EST | 7 | 4 | acb3 | הֶחֱרַ֔שְׁתִּי | 1 | I would have kept silent | “I would not have said anything about that to you” | |
| 698 | EST | 7 | 4 | j5d3 | figs-hyperbole | אֵ֥ין הַצָּ֛ר שֹׁוֶ֖ה בְּנֵ֥זֶק הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | the distress would not have been equal to a burden of the king | Esther is speaking very deferentially and no doubt with some exaggeration. She is saying that it would have been worthless to her to see her people rescued from slavery than it would have been to see the king spared the trouble of intervening on their behalf. (Haman uses the expression of “not equal” in this same sense in 5:13.) Alternate translation: “that would have been a matter too small to bother you with” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) |
| 699 | EST | 7 | 4 | acb4 | figs-123person | הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | the king | Esther addresses King Ahasuerus in the third person as a way of showing respect. Alternate translation: “you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 700 | EST | 7 | 5 | acb5 | וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙…וַיֹּ֖אמֶר | 1 | Then…spoke and said | “responded” | |
| 701 | EST | 7 | 5 | acb6 | figs-parallelism | מִ֣י ה֥וּא זֶה֙ וְאֵֽי־זֶ֣ה ה֔וּא | 1 | Who is he, this man? And where is this man | These two phrases mean similar things. They both ask about the identity of the man who is trying to destroy the Jews. King Ahasuerus uses the repetition to emphasize how outraged he is. If the repetition would be confusing in your language, you could combine the two phrases. However, from another perspective, both the man’s identity and his location are important to know so that his plot can be stopped. So, for that reason, you could also decide to include both phrases in your translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 702 | EST | 7 | 5 | acb7 | מִ֣י ה֥וּא זֶה֙ וְאֵֽי־זֶ֣ה ה֔וּא | 1 | Who is he, this man? | “Who has done this?” | |
| 703 | EST | 7 | 5 | dl4b | bita-hq | וְאֵֽי־זֶ֣ה ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁר־מְלָא֥וֹ לִבּ֖וֹ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת כֵּֽן | 1 | And where is this man, he whose heart is full to do thus? | Here the concept of a **full heart** uses two metaphors at once. “Heart” figuratively represents the action of thinking or feeling. Saying that the “heart” is “full” is a figurative way of saying that someone is daring to do something that should not be done. Alternate translation: “Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 704 | EST | 7 | 6 | j5d5 | figs-doublet | אִ֚ישׁ צַ֣ר וְאוֹיֵ֔ב | 1 | A man, and adversary, and an enemy | These words mean the same thing. They emphasize Haman’s complete hostility towards the Jews. Alternate translation: “The one who is our bitter enemy” (A “doublet” can involve the use of more than two words. See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 705 | EST | 7 | 6 | j5d7 | הָמָ֥ן הָרָ֖ע הַזֶּ֑ה | 1 | this evil Haman | “this evil man Haman” | |
| 706 | EST | 7 | 6 | ar4f | נִבְעַ֔ת | 1 | was terrified | “was extremely afraid” | |
| 707 | EST | 7 | 6 | j5d9 | bita-hq | נִבְעַ֔ת מִלִּפְנֵ֥י | 1 | terrified from before the face of | Here **face** figuratively means the presence of a person. The phrase means that Haman was now extremely afraid to be in the presence of King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther. Alternate translation: “This made Haman terrified to be in the presence of the king and the queen” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 708 | EST | 7 | 7 | bzd4 | figs-idiom | וְהַמֶּ֜לֶךְ קָ֤ם בַּחֲמָתוֹ֙ מִמִּשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֔יִן | 1 | Then the king rose up in his rage from the banquet of wine | Here “in his rage” is an idiom meaning to be extremely angry. Alternate translation: “The king was extremely angry and got up” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 709 | EST | 7 | 7 | j6d1 | figs-explicit | קָ֤ם…אֶל־גִּנַּ֖ת הַבִּיתָ֑ן | 1 | rose up…to the garden of the palace | The implication is that Ahasuerus went outside to absorb the shock that a man he had promoted to the highest position in his empire was plotting to destroy his queen and her whole people. Ahasuerus needed to sort out his conflicting loyalties and decide what to do about this. You can say explicitly why he went outside. Alternate translation: “He went outside into the palace garden to decide what to do.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 710 | EST | 7 | 7 | uaq6 | bita-humanbehavior | לְבַקֵּ֤שׁ עַל־נַפְשׁוֹ֙ | 1 | in order to seek for his life | Here **seeking** figuratively means to beg or plead urgently for something. This phrase means that Haman wanted to beg Esther to persuade the king not to order his execution. Alternate translation: “to beg Queen Esther to save his life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 711 | EST | 7 | 7 | qz1m | bita-humanbehavior | כִּ֣י רָאָ֔ה | 1 | for he saw | Here **seeing** is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. Alternate translation: “he realized” or “he understood” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 712 | EST | 7 | 7 | nin1 | figs-activepassive | כָלְתָ֥ה אֵלָ֛יו הָרָעָ֖ה מֵאֵ֥ת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | evil was determined against him by the king | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “the king had decided to cause a disaster against him” or “the king was decided to destroy him” or “the king had decided to kill him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 713 | EST | 7 | 7 | j6d3 | figs-abstractnouns | כָלְתָ֥ה אֵלָ֛יו הָרָעָ֖ה מֵאֵ֥ת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | evil was determined against him by the king | Here the abstract noun “evil” means “harm,” not something that is morally wrong as in the previous verse. In this context, it can be expressed with a verb such as “execute.” Alternate translation: “the king was likely to execute him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 714 | EST | 7 | 8 | j6d5 | figs-explicit | וְהַמֶּ֡לֶךְ שָׁב֩…וְהָמָן֙ נֹפֵ֔ל | 1 | Now when the king returned…Haman was fallen | The implication is that when the king returned to the room, he saw what this verse describes next. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “when the king returned …, he saw that Haman had fallen …” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 715 | EST | 7 | 8 | j6d7 | בֵּ֣ית ׀ מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֗יִן | 1 | the house of the banquet of wine | “the room where they had been drinking wine” | |
| 716 | EST | 7 | 8 | h4c7 | figs-explicit | וְהָמָן֙ נֹפֵ֔ל עַל־הַמִּטָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ | 1 | Now…Haman was fallen on the couch on which Esther was | The implication is that Haman was doing this as he pleaded for his life. If it would be clearer in your language, you can add that information to the end of this phrase: “…as he was pleading for his life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 717 | EST | 7 | 8 | acb8 | figs-events | וְהָמָן֙ נֹפֵ֔ל עַל־הַמִּטָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ | 1 | Now…Haman was fallen on the couch on which Esther was | If you prefer to present the events in chronological order, you can put this information first in the verse. See the UST. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 718 | EST | 7 | 8 | acb9 | וְהָמָן֙ נֹפֵ֔ל עַל־הַמִּטָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ | 1 | Now…Haman was fallen on the couch on which Esther was | The expression **was fallen** means that as Haman was begging for his life, he was not standing up, but he had suddenly come down very close to Esther as she was reclining on a couch (From the impression that the king got when he returned, it’s possible that Haman was even grabbing her arms or shoulders as he pleaded with her.) Alternate translation: “Haman had come down very close to Esther as she was reclining on a banqueting couch” or “Haman had thrown himself down on the couch where Esther was reclining.” | |
| 719 | EST | 7 | 8 | acc0 | הַמִּטָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ | 1 | the couch on which Esther was | In this culture, especially at a banquet like this one, people would recline on couches as they ate and drank. Alternate translation: “Esther’s banqueting couch” | |
| 720 | EST | 7 | 8 | thq6 | figs-rquestion | הֲ֠גַם לִכְבּ֧וֹשׁ אֶת־הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה עִמִּ֖י בַּבָּ֑יִת | 1 | Is it also to subdue the queen, with me, in the house? | This is a statement, but the king phrases it as a question to show his shock and anger at what he thinks Haman is doing. Alternate translation: “He is even trying to rape the queen!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) |
| 721 | EST | 7 | 8 | l4ce | figs-euphemism | לִכְבּ֧וֹשׁ אֶת־הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה | 1 | to subdue the queen | The story is using a mild expression to refer to something that is disturbing. In this context, “subdue” means “rape.” The king thought that Haman was trying to rape Esther, and he likely said just that. You can show this in your translation. Alternate translation: “trying to rape the queen” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]]) |
| 722 | EST | 7 | 8 | acc1 | figs-parallelism | עִמִּ֖י בַּבָּ֑יִת | 1 | with me, in the house | These two phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used to emphasize the idea that they are expressing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine the phrases. However, each one does indicate something slightly different about what a serious offense it would be if Haman actually were trying to rape Esther. It would be a violation of the king’s personal trust, and a violation of the trust implicit in hospitality. So you can also include both phrases. Alternate translation: “in my presence and in my own house” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 723 | EST | 7 | 8 | adq6 | figs-idiom | הַדָּבָ֗ר יָצָא֙ מִפִּ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | The word was going out from the mouth of the king | This expression describes the action of speaking. Alternate translation: “As soon as the king said this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 724 | EST | 7 | 8 | acc2 | grammar-connect-time-background | הַדָּבָ֗ר…וּפְנֵ֥י הָמָ֖ן חָפֽוּ | 1 | The word was going out…when they covered the face of Haman | The king spoke, and then the servants covered Haman’s face. One action followed upon another. However, this happened so quickly that almost no time seemed to pass in between. You can indicate this with a phrase like “as soon as.” Alternate translation: “As soon as the king said this, they covered Haman’s face” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background]]) |
| 725 | EST | 7 | 8 | ju8q | figs-explicit | וּפְנֵ֥י הָמָ֖ן חָפֽוּ | 1 | when they covered the face of Haman | Apparently they did this because they understood that the king wanted Haman to be killed. Alternate translation: “the servants covered Haman’s face as a sign that he would be killed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 726 | EST | 7 | 8 | j6d9 | figs-explicit | וּפְנֵ֥י הָמָ֖ן חָפֽוּ | 1 | when they covered the face of Haman | The implication is that some the king’s servants who were present did this, and they did it because they understood that the king wanted Haman to be executed. Alternate translation: “some of his servants covered Haman’s face as a sign that he would be executed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 727 | EST | 7 | 8 | acc3 | figs-symaction | וּפְנֵ֥י הָמָ֖ן חָפֽוּ | 1 | when they covered the face of Haman | Covering the face, in this culture as in many others, was a sign that a person had been condemned to death. Alternate translation: “some of his servants covered Haman’s face as a sign that he would be executed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 728 | EST | 7 | 9 | a7ic | translate-names | חַ֠רְבוֹנָה | 1 | Harbona | This is a man’s name. See how you translated it in 1:10. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 729 | EST | 7 | 9 | j7d1 | bita-hq | אֶחָ֨ד מִן־הַסָּרִיסִ֜ים לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | one from the eunuchs before the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. This phrase means that Harbona was one of the eunuchs who served King Ahasuerus personally. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 730 | EST | 7 | 9 | acc4 | translate-unknown | הַסָּרִיסִ֜ים לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | the eunuchs before the face of the king | See how you translated this term and this phrase in 1:10. Alternate translation: “the guardians who served the king personally” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 731 | EST | 7 | 9 | j7d3 | הִנֵּה | 1 | behold | **Behold** is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If there is not a good way to translate this term in your language, it can be omitted from your translation. But consider using an expression that is natural in your language for someone to address the king directly to get his attention, for example, “O king!” | |
| 732 | EST | 7 | 9 | acc5 | גַּ֣ם…הָעֵ֣ץ אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֪ה הָמָ֟ן לְֽמָרְדֳּכַ֞י…עֹמֵד֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הָמָ֔ן | 1 | Also…the tree that Haman made for Mordecai…is standing at the house of Haman | “Haman has also set up a pole [or gallows] at his house because he wants to impale [or hang] Mordecai on it” | |
| 733 | EST | 7 | 9 | j7d5 | bita-plants | הָעֵ֣ץ | 1 | the tree | See how you translated this term in 2:23, 5:14, and 6:4. Review the note to 2:23 if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “wooden pole” or “gallows” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 734 | EST | 7 | 9 | j7d7 | figs-idiom | לְֽמָרְדֳּכַ֞י אֲשֶׁ֧ר דִּבֶּר־ט֣וֹב עַל־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king | This expression means that Mordecai said something that benefitted the king. Specifically, Mordecai reported an assassination plot and saved the king’s life. Alternate translation: “Mordecai, who saved your life.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 735 | EST | 7 | 9 | j7d9 | figs-123person | דִּבֶּר־ט֣וֹב עַל־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | spoke good for the king | Harbona addresses the king in the third person as a way of showing respect. Alternate translation: “saved your life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 736 | EST | 7 | 9 | acc6 | עֹמֵד֙ | 1 | is standing | “is set up” | |
| 737 | EST | 7 | 9 | sre1 | translate-bdistance | גָּבֹ֖הַּ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אַמָּ֑ה | 1 | 50 cubits high | If it would be clearer in your language, you can convert this to a modern measure. See how you translated this phrase in 5:14. Alternate translation: “seventy-five feet high” or “twenty-three meters high” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 738 | EST | 7 | 9 | acc7 | figs-explicit | תְּלֻ֥הוּ עָלָֽיו | 1 | Hang him on it | **Him** means Haman. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Impale [or hang] Haman on it.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 739 | EST | 7 | 10 | j8d3 | bita-plants | הָעֵ֖ץ | 1 | the tree | As in the previous verse, this refers to a wooden pole or gallows. See how you translated the term there. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 740 | EST | 7 | 10 | acc8 | הֵכִ֣ין | 1 | he had prepared | “he had set up” | |
| 741 | EST | 7 | 10 | umd4 | figs-metaphor | וַחֲמַ֥ת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שָׁכָֽכָה | 1 | and the rage of the king subsided | Here the story figuratively compares the king’s anger to floodwaters, which can cause great destruction. “Subside” means for waters to drain away and for their level to go down. You could express the meaning by saying something like, “Then the king’s rage lessened,” or “Then the king was not so angry.” Or you could use a different metaphor that would be meaningful in your language, such as, “Then the king cooled off.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-phenom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 742 | EST | 8 | intro | z6j7 | 0 | # Esther 08 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### God’s protection<br>Yahweh is at work in this chapter preventing the Jews from possible destruction. God used Esther and Mordecai to protect their people.<br> | |||
| 743 | EST | 8 | 1 | j8d5 | writing-newevent | בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא | 1 | On that day | This could mean one of three things. (1) A new series of events is now being described, but the story wants to make clear that they happened on the same day as the second banquet. While it must have been some time later in the day, the idea is when Haman lost his life, and his property with it, Esther gained what her enemy had lost. Alternate translation: “That same day” (2) The expression could also be an idiom that means “as of that day.” This would refer to the effective date for the transfer of Haman’s property to Esther. Alternate translation: “As of that day.” (3) The term “day” could also be used figuratively to mean around the same time. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonym]]) |
| 744 | EST | 8 | 1 | j8d7 | bita-manmade | נָתַ֞ן הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ֙ לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית הָמָ֖ן | 1 | the king Ahasuerus gave to Esther the queen the house of Haman | Here **house** figuratively represents all the household and property of Haman. The story could be referring to all the property by naming one part of it, the house. Or “house” could be a metonym for “property,” meaning everything a person owns and keeps in their house, and by extension everything they own beyond the house as well. Alternate translation: “King Ahasuerus declared that everything that Haman had owned would now belong to Queen Esther” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-manmade]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 745 | EST | 8 | 1 | nm3u | figs-informremind | צֹרֵ֣ר הַיְּהוּדִ֑ים | 1 | the adversary of the Jews | This phrase gives clarifying information about Haman. Alternate translation: “the enemy of the Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 746 | EST | 8 | 1 | acc9 | figs-explicit | וּמָרְדֳּכַ֗י בָּ֚א לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | Mordecai came before the face of the king | The implication is that when the king learned how Mordecai was related to Esther, he summoned him into his presence. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “When he learned that, the king summoned Mordecai to come into his presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 747 | EST | 8 | 1 | j8d9 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | before the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. This phrase indicates that Mordecai was allowed to come into the king’s presence. Alternate translation: “into his presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 748 | EST | 8 | 1 | acd0 | הִגִּ֥ידָה אֶסְתֵּ֖ר מַ֥ה הוּא־לָֽהּ | 1 | Esther told what he was to her | Alternate translation: “how he was related to her” You can say this before saying that the king summoned Mordecai, since it happened first. | |
| 749 | EST | 8 | 1 | j9d1 | figs-explicit | הִגִּ֥ידָה אֶסְתֵּ֖ר מַ֥ה הוּא־לָֽהּ | 1 | Esther told what he was to her | Esther told this to the king. She would likely have explained not just how she and Mordecai were related, but that he had raised her after her parents died. Alternate translation: “Esther told the king that Mordecai was her cousin and that he had been like a father to her” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 750 | EST | 8 | 2 | m5hz | figs-symaction | וַיָּ֨סַר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־טַבַּעְתּ֗וֹ…וַֽיִּתְּנָ֖הּ לְמָרְדֳּכָ֑י | 1 | the king removed his signet ring…and he gave it to Mordecai | Giving the ring to Mordecai showed that Mordecai could now act on the king’s own authority, and it enabled him to do that. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The king now gave this ring to Mordecai, to show that he had the power to act on his authority.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 751 | EST | 8 | 2 | acd1 | translate-unknown | טַבַּעְתּ֗וֹ | 1 | signet ring | See how you translated this in 3:10. Review the explanation there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “the ring that had his official seal on it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 752 | EST | 8 | 2 | j9d3 | figs-explicit | אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֶֽעֱבִיר֙ מֵֽהָמָ֔ן | 1 | that he had caused to pass from Haman | This means that the king had taken back his signet ring from Haman. He would have done this when he sentenced Haman to death. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The king had given Haman the ring that had his official seal on it. But he had taken it back from him when he sentenced him to death, and he was wearing it again.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 753 | EST | 8 | 2 | acd2 | figs-events | אֲשֶׁ֤ר הֶֽעֱבִיר֙ מֵֽהָמָ֔ן | 1 | that he had caused to pass from Haman | You can put this information first in the verse because it happened before everything else. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 754 | EST | 8 | 2 | acd3 | figs-metaphor | וַתָּ֧שֶׂם אֶסְתֵּ֛ר אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֖י עַל־בֵּ֥ית הָמָֽן | 1 | Esther placed Mordecai over the house of Haman | To place someone over something figuratively means to put them in charge of it. Alternate translation: “Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of everything that had belonged to Haman” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 755 | EST | 8 | 2 | z5yn | וַֽיִּתְּנָ֖הּ לְמָרְדֳּכָ֑י | 1 | and he gave it to Mordecai | By giving his signet ring to Mordecai, the king gave Mordecai the authority to write important papers that people would have to obey. | |
| 756 | EST | 8 | 2 | d2tj | figs-metonymy | בֵּ֥ית הָמָֽן | 1 | the house of Haman | See the explanation of this phrase in verse 1. Alternate translation: “everything that Haman had owned” or “the household of Haman” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 757 | EST | 8 | 3 | j9d5 | writing-newevent | וַתּ֣וֹסֶף אֶסְתֵּ֗ר וַתְּדַבֵּר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | Then Esther repeated her action, and she spoke before the face of the king | Here the exact meaning of the progression of verbs is uncertain, but this verse probably begins a new event in the story separate from what happened in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “Then Esther again spoke in the king’s presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) |
| 758 | EST | 8 | 3 | j9d7 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | before the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. Alternate translation: “while she was in his presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 759 | EST | 8 | 3 | j9d9 | figs-idiom | וַתִּפֹּ֖ל לִפְנֵ֣י רַגְלָ֑יו | 1 | And she fell before the face of his feet | Here **falling** is an idiom referring to the action of bowing down or prostrating oneself, and **face** figuratively represents the front of a person, place, or object. Alternate translation: “and she bowed down” or “and she prostrated herself” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]]) |
| 760 | EST | 8 | 3 | acd4 | figs-symaction | וַתִּפֹּ֖ל לִפְנֵ֣י רַגְלָ֑יו | 1 | And she fell before the face of his feet | This may actually mean that Esther put her face right on top of the feet of King Ahasuerus. This would have been an act of humility and desperation by which she showed that her need was very great and that she believed the king had great power to help her. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 761 | EST | 8 | 3 | acd5 | figs-explicit | וַתִּפֹּ֖ל לִפְנֵ֣י רַגְלָ֑יו | 1 | And she fell before the face of his feet | Esther’s action was probably a recognized sign of pleading in this culture. However, it would likely still have been remarkable for a queen to fall at the feet of her husband, the king. You can show this by introducing the information with a phrase like “in fact.” Alternate translation: “In fact, to show how desperately she was pleading, Esther got down and put her face right on top of his feet.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 762 | EST | 8 | 3 | j1r1 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֣י רַגְלָ֑יו | 1 | before the face of his feet | Here **face** is a metonym meaning the front of a person, place, or object. This phrase means that Esther prostrated herself in front of the feet of King Ahasuerus. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 763 | EST | 8 | 3 | uh2a | וַתֵּ֣בְךְּ וַתִּתְחַנֶּן־ל֗וֹ | 1 | and wept and implored favor from him | “and cried as she begged him” | |
| 764 | EST | 8 | 3 | jmn7 | לְהַֽעֲבִיר֙ אֶת־רָעַת֙ הָמָ֣ן הָֽאֲגָגִ֔י | 1 | to take away the evil of Haman the Agagite and his plot that he had plotted against the Jews | “to stop the evil plan of Haman the Agagite” or “to prevent the evil things from happening that Haman the Agagite had planned” | |
| 765 | EST | 8 | 3 | acd6 | figs-idiom | לְהַֽעֲבִיר֙ אֶת־רָעַת֙ הָמָ֣ן הָֽאֲגָגִ֔י | 1 | to take away the evil of | This expression means to prevent a wrong action from happening. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 766 | EST | 8 | 3 | bp22 | translate-names | הָֽאֲגָגִ֔י | 1 | the Agagite | This is the name of Haman’s people group. See how you translated this in 3:1. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 767 | EST | 8 | 3 | c2hw | מַֽחֲשַׁבְתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָשַׁ֖ב | 1 | his plot that he had plotted | “the plot that he had invented” or “the plot that Haman invented” | |
| 768 | EST | 8 | 4 | xh24 | figs-symaction | וַיּ֤וֹשֶׁט הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ לְאֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֵ֖ת שַׁרְבִ֣ט הַזָּהָ֑ב | 1 | And the king held out to Esther the scepter of gold | As in 5:2, King Ahasuerus did this to show that Esther had his favor. In that earlier episode, this indicated that he would not enforce the law that said Esther should be executed for coming into the inner court without being summoned. But since Esther was apparently already in the king’s presence on this occasion, it seems that the gesture could also be used generally to show that the king was positively disposed towards a person and would grant their request. Alternate translation: “The king held out his golden scepter to Esther.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]] |
| 769 | EST | 8 | 4 | acd7 | translate-unknown | שַׁרְבִ֣ט הַזָּהָ֑ב | 1 | the scepter of gold | See how you translated this in 4:11. If it would be helpful, review the explanation of what this object was. Alternate translation: “golden scepter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 770 | EST | 8 | 4 | acd8 | וַתָּ֣קָם אֶסְתֵּ֔ר | 1 | so Esther rose up | “Esther got up off the floor” | |
| 771 | EST | 8 | 4 | j1r5 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | before the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively represents the front of a person, place, or object. This phrase means the Esther now stood facing King Ahasuerus. Alternate translation: “and stood facing the king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 772 | EST | 8 | 5 | w7yl | figs-parallelism | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ ט֜וֹב וְאִם־מָצָ֧אתִי חֵ֣ן לְפָנָ֗יו | 1 | If it is good to the king, and if I have found favor before his face, and the word is proper before the face of the king, and I am good in his eyes | These two pairs of phrases mean basically the same thing. Esther is saying that the king should grant her request if what she is going to suggest seems like a good idea to him, and if he is positively disposed towards her. Esther uses the repetition to emphasize the importance of what she is expressing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine the phrases. Alternate translation: “If what I am going to suggest seems like a good idea to you, and if you are pleased with me.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 773 | EST | 8 | 5 | acd9 | figs-123person | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ ט֜וֹב וְאִם־מָצָ֧אתִי חֵ֣ן לְפָנָ֗יו | 1 | If it is good to the king, and if I have found favor before his face, and the word is proper before the face of the king, and I am good in his eyes | Here Esther addresses the king throughout in the third person as a way of showing respect. You could express the same meaning in the second person. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 774 | EST | 8 | 5 | ace0 | figs-idiom | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ ט֜וֹב | 1 | If it is good to the king | This is an idiom that also appears in 1:19, 3:9, 5:4, and 5:8. A suggested translation in those cases was, “If it seems like a good idea to you, O king.” That was suitable for the deferential tone the speakers were using. But in another place, 7:3, when Esther was pleading urgently for the survival of her whole people, the suggested alternate translation was, “I hope you will be willing to do what I ask.” Esther is also pleading here, so you could use that phrase here in your translation as well. Alternate translation: “if what I ask for seems right in the king’s evaluation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 775 | EST | 8 | 5 | ftc7 | figs-idiom | וְאִם־מָצָ֧אתִי חֵ֣ן | 1 | if I have found favor | This expression also appears many times in the story. It means to gain the approval or acceptance of another person. Alternate translation: “if you are pleased with me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 776 | EST | 8 | 5 | j1r7 | bita-hq | לְפָנָ֗יו…לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | before his face…before the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively means the presence of a person. These phrases could mean, “As I stand here before you.” But “face” could also be referring figuratively to the king himself by naming one part of him. What he thought and felt about Esther’s request would become evident in his face first, so it would be an appropriate part of him to use to represent all of him. Alternate translation: “you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 777 | EST | 8 | 5 | xci7 | bita-hq | בְּעֵינָ֑יו | 1 | in his eyes | Here **eyes** figuratively represent the action of seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. Alternate translation: “if you evaluate me and I please you” or “if you are pleased with me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 778 | EST | 8 | 5 | j1r9 | figs-idiom | יִכָּתֵ֞ב לְהָשִׁ֣יב אֶת־הַסְּפָרִ֗ים | 1 | let it be written to take back the letters | The first letters that told of the plan to destroy the Jews would not be brought back to Susa physically. Rather, “bring back” is an idiom that means “cancel” or “revoke.” Alternate translation: “make a new law to cancel what Haman decreed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 779 | EST | 8 | 5 | nbk3 | figs-activepassive | יִכָּתֵ֞ב לְהָשִׁ֣יב אֶת־הַסְּפָרִ֗ים | 1 | let it be written | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “write a new letter” or “make a new law” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 780 | EST | 8 | 5 | j2r1 | מַחֲשֶׁ֜בֶת הָמָ֤ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֨תָא֙ הָאֲגָגִ֔י | 1 | the plot of Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite | “that Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, sent out” | |
| 781 | EST | 8 | 5 | s7bt | לְאַבֵּד֙ אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּכָל־מְדִינ֥וֹת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | to destroy the Jews who are in all of the provinces of the king | “His letter said to destroy all the Jews everything in your empire” | |
| 782 | EST | 8 | 6 | j2r5 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּ֠י | 1 | For | Here Esther is giving the reason why she is asking King Ahasuerus to revoke the letters. Alternate translation: “I am asking this because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 783 | EST | 8 | 6 | udt6 | figs-rquestion | אֵיכָכָ֤ה אוּכַל֙ וְֽרָאִ֔יתִי בָּרָעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־יִמְצָ֣א אֶת־עַמִּ֑י וְאֵֽיכָכָ֤ה אוּכַל֙ וְֽרָאִ֔יתִי בְּאָבְדַ֖ן מוֹלַדְתִּֽי | 1 | how could I bear to see the evil that my people would find? And how could I bear seeing the destruction of my kindred? | Esther is actually making a statement, but she expresses herself in question form to show how strongly she feels about what she is saying. She does not actually expect the king to tell her how she could bear seeing her people destroyed. Alternate translation: “I cannot bear to see disaster fall on the Jews. I cannot endure watching my relatives be killed.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) |
| 784 | EST | 8 | 6 | ace1 | figs-parallelism | אֵיכָכָ֤ה אוּכַל֙ וְֽרָאִ֔יתִי בָּרָעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־יִמְצָ֣א אֶת־עַמִּ֑י וְאֵֽיכָכָ֤ה אוּכַל֙ וְֽרָאִ֔יתִי בְּאָבְדַ֖ן מוֹלַדְתִּֽי | 1 | how could I bear to see the evil that my people would find? And how could I bear seeing the destruction of my kindred? | These two sentences mean basically the same thing. Esther uses the repetition to emphasize what she is saying. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine the phrases. Alternate translation: “I could not bear to see my relatives and my whole people destroyed.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 785 | EST | 8 | 6 | ace2 | figs-abstractnouns | בָּרָעָ֖ה | 1 | the evil | Even though it was morally very wrong for Haman to want to destroy Mordecai’s whole people, here the abstract noun “evil” likely means “harm,” as in 7:7. It means the same thing as “destruction” in the next sentence. In this context, the term can be expressed with a verb such as “destroyed.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 786 | EST | 8 | 6 | ace3 | figs-idiom | יִמְצָ֣א | 1 | would find | As in 1:5, “found” is an idiom that means something exists in a certain place or time, not that people were looking for it and located it. Esther is speaking of the harm that will exist for the Jews if the effect of Haman’s letters is not undone. Alternate translation: “would be destroyed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 787 | EST | 8 | 6 | ace4 | figs-abstractnouns | בְּאָבְדַ֖ן | 1 | the destruction of | This abstract noun can be expressed with a verb such as “destroyed.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 788 | EST | 8 | 6 | ace5 | מוֹלַדְתִּֽי | 1 | my kindred | “relatives” | |
| 789 | EST | 8 | 7 | j2r7 | הִנֵּ֨ה | 1 | Behold | This is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If there is not a good way to translate this term in your language, this term can be omitted from the translation. Or you can use an alternate translation such as, “As you know.” | |
| 790 | EST | 8 | 7 | ace6 | בֵית־הָמָ֜ן נָתַ֣תִּי לְאֶסְתֵּ֗ר | 1 | I have given the house of Haman to Esther | See the note about this expression in 8:1. Alternate translation: “I have given Esther all the property that belonged to Haman” or “I have given Esther the household of Haman” | |
| 791 | EST | 8 | 7 | h44h | bita-hq | בֵית־הָמָ֜ן | 1 | the house of Haman | Here **house** is a metonym meaning the entire household of Haman. Alternate translation: “the household of Haman” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-manmade]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 792 | EST | 8 | 7 | ace7 | figs-events | וְאֹתוֹ֙ תָּל֣וּ עַל־הָעֵ֔ץ | 1 | they have hanged him on the tree | Alternate translation: “I had my servants impale Haman on a wooden pole” or “I had my servants hang Haman on a gallows.” You can put this information first, because it happened before the king gave Haman’s property to Esther. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 793 | EST | 8 | 7 | ace8 | bita-plants | הָעֵ֔ץ | 1 | the tree | See how you translated this term in 2:23, 5:14, 6:4, 7:9, and 7:10. Review the note to 2:23 if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “wooden pole” or “gallows” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 794 | EST | 8 | 7 | ace9 | עַ֛ל אֲשֶׁר | 1 | on account of that | “because” | |
| 795 | EST | 8 | 7 | j2r9 | figs-idiom | שָׁלַ֥ח יָד֖וֹ | 1 | he stretched out his hand | Here the expression “to stretch out a hand” means to cause someone physical harm with the intention of killing them. Alternate translation: “because he wanted to kill all the Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 796 | EST | 8 | 8 | acf0 | וְ֠אַתֶּם | 1 | So you | “So this is what you should do” | |
| 797 | EST | 8 | 8 | acf1 | כִּתְב֨וּ עַל־הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים כַּטּ֤וֹב בְּעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ | 1 | write for the Jews as is good in your eyes | “I am giving you permission to write other letters, to save your people” | |
| 798 | EST | 8 | 8 | j3r1 | bita-hq | כַּטּ֤וֹב בְּעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ | 1 | as is good in your eyes | Here **eyes** figuratively represent the action of seeing, and seeing is a metaphor for knowledge, notice, attention, or judgment. This phrase means that Esther and Mordecai have permission to write what they think is best. Alternate translation: “as you think is best” or “what you think is best” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 799 | EST | 8 | 8 | j3mn | bita-hq | בְּשֵׁ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | in the name of the king | Here **name** is a metaphor meaning authority. This phrase means Esther and Mordecai have permission to write with the authority of the King Ahasuerus. (See: Metaphor) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 800 | EST | 8 | 8 | acf2 | figs-123person | בְּשֵׁ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | in the name of the king | King Ahasuerus refers to himself in the third person. You can have him say this in the first person. Alternate translation: “I give you permission to write with my own authority” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 801 | EST | 8 | 8 | j3r3 | translate-unknown | בְּטַבַּ֣עַת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | with the signet ring of the king | This is a special ring that could be used to imprint the king’s official seal on a law or decree. Alternate translation: “the ring that has my official seal on it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 802 | EST | 8 | 8 | acf3 | figs-123person | בְּטַבַּ֣עַת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | with the signet ring of the king | King Ahasuerus refers to himself in the third person. You can have him say this in the first person. Alternate translation: “the ring that has my official seal on it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) |
| 803 | EST | 8 | 8 | j3r5 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּֽי | 1 | For | Here King Ahasuerus is expressing the reason why he cannot write a new letter revoking the first one, and so Esther and Mordecai should address the situation as they think best. Alternate translation: “But” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 804 | EST | 8 | 8 | acf4 | כְתָ֞ב…אֵ֥ין לְהָשִֽׁיב | 1 | there is none to take back a writing | As in verse 5, this expression means “revoke.” Alternate translation: “no one can revoke” | |
| 805 | EST | 8 | 8 | acf5 | כְתָ֞ב…אֵ֥ין לְהָשִֽׁיב | 1 | there is none to take back a writing | You can put this first in the verse, because it explains why Ahasuerus answers Esther and Mordecai in the way he does. | |
| 806 | EST | 8 | 8 | acf6 | figs-explicit | כְתָ֞ב אֲשֶׁר־נִכְתָּ֣ב בְּשֵׁם־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וְנַחְתּ֛וֹם בְּטַבַּ֥עַת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ | 1 | a writing that has been written in the name of the king and has been sealed with the signet ring of the king | The king is describing a general situation, but he has Haman’s letter specifically in mind. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Haman wrote his letter with my authority, and he sealed it with the ring that has my official seal on it. No one can revoke a letter like that.” (The story explained in 1:19 that the king’s laws could not be changed once they had been made and proclaimed.) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 807 | EST | 8 | 9 | acf7 | grammar-connect-logic-result | וַיִּקָּרְא֣וּ סֹפְרֵֽי־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ | 1 | So…were called | This indicates that what is described in this verse was done because of what the king said in the previous verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 808 | EST | 8 | 9 | s4ue | figs-activepassive | וַיִּקָּרְא֣וּ סֹפְרֵֽי־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ | 1 | So the scribes of the king were called | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “the king called his scribes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 809 | EST | 8 | 9 | acf8 | וַיִּקָּרְא֣וּ סֹפְרֵֽי־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ | 1 | So the scribes of the king were called | If you use an expression such as “called,” make sure your readers will understand that the king likely sent an official to go and bring the scribes back with him. The king did not call out in a loud voice to get them to come. | |
| 810 | EST | 8 | 9 | j4r1 | translate-ordinal | בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י | 1 | in the third month | “in month three” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 811 | EST | 8 | 9 | acf9 | figs-explicit | בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י | 1 | in the third month | Alternate translation: “in the third month of the year.” It would still be the same year as in 3:7, the twelfth year that Ahasuerus reigned as king of Persia. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 812 | EST | 8 | 9 | j356 | translate-hebrewmonths | הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ סִיוָ֗ן | 1 | which is the month of Sivan | “Sivan” is the name of the third month of the Hebrew calendar. Alternate translation: “the month of Sivan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 813 | EST | 8 | 9 | acg1 | הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ סִיוָ֗ן | 1 | which is the month of Sivan | The story is being recorded from the perspective of the Persian court. But for the benefit of its intended Jewish audience, the Hebrew name of the month is given. | |
| 814 | EST | 8 | 9 | j4r3 | translate-ordinal | בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֣ה וְעֶשְׂרִים֮ בּוֹ֒ | 1 | on the twenty-third of it | Alternation translation: “on day 23” or “on the twenty-third day of the month.” The exact date of the letter helps establish its legal authority. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 815 | EST | 8 | 9 | sz6j | figs-activepassive | וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב כְּֽכָל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה מָרְדֳּכַ֣י | 1 | And according to all that Mordecai commanded it was written | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “and they wrote a letter saying everything that Mordecai told them to write” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 816 | EST | 8 | 9 | acg2 | figs-explicit | אֶל־הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים | 1 | to the Jews | It appears from verse 11 that the letter would have been addressed specifically to the Jews in the empire, telling them that the king had authorized them to defend themselves. But copies were also sent to all the royal and provincial officials. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. “The letter addressed the Jews in the empire, but copies were also sent” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 817 | EST | 8 | 9 | acg3 | וְאֶ֣ל הָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִֽים־וְהַפַּחוֹת֩ וְשָׂרֵ֨י הַמְּדִינ֜וֹת | 1 | and to the satraps, and the governors and officials of the provinces | See how you translated these terms in 3:12, where they were used to describe who received Haman’s letter. Alternate translation: “to the royal officials, and to the governors and leaders in each province” | |
| 818 | EST | 8 | 9 | acg4 | אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ מֵהֹ֣דּוּ וְעַד־כּ֗וּשׁ שֶׁ֣בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּמֵאָה֙ מְדִינָ֔ה | 1 | that were from India even as far as Ethiopia: 127 provinces | This is background information explaining how far this new letter had to be sent. See how you translated this phrase in 1:1. Alternate translation: “The empire of Ahasuerus had 127 provinces, stretching all the way from India in the east to Ethiopia in the west.” | |
| 819 | EST | 8 | 9 | zp4q | translate-numbers | שֶׁ֣בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּמֵאָה֙ מְדִינָ֔ה | 1 | 127 provinces | Alternate translation: “one hundred and twenty-seven provinces” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 820 | EST | 8 | 9 | j4r5 | figs-idiom | מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ | 1 | province by province | This expression means “every province.” Alternate translation: “The scribes wrote to every province” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 821 | EST | 8 | 9 | bj5s | כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ | 1 | according to its writing | “using its own alphabet” or “written in its own script” | |
| 822 | EST | 8 | 9 | j4r7 | figs-idiom | וְעַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם | 1 | and people by people | This expression means “every people group.” Alternate translation: “and to each people group” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 823 | EST | 8 | 9 | j4r9 | bita-hq | כִּלְשֹׁנ֑וֹ | 1 | according to its tongue | Here **tongue** figuratively means the language spoken by a person or a group of people. Alternate translation: “in its own language” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 824 | EST | 8 | 9 | j5r1 | וְאֶ֨ל־הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים כִּכְתָבָ֖ם וְכִלְשׁוֹנָֽם | 1 | and to the Jews according to their writing and according to their tongue | The Jews would have been included among all the people groups in the empire in the phrase “people by people.” So this seems to be saying, “and especially to the Jews.” Verse 11 explains that it was particularly important for the Jews to read the letter because it gave them the right to defend themselves. Alternate translation: “They wrote especially to the Jews, in their own script and in their own language.” | |
| 825 | EST | 8 | 10 | acg5 | וַיִּכְתֹּ֗ב…וַיַּחְתֹּ֖ם | 1 | And he wrote…and he sealed | **He** means Mordecai. You can use his name here in your translation. | |
| 826 | EST | 8 | 10 | ijp2 | bita-hq | בְּשֵׁם֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹ֔שׁ | 1 | in the name of King Ahasuerus | Here **name** is a metaphor meaning authority. Alternate translation: “Mordecai wrote with the authority of King Ahasuerus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 827 | EST | 8 | 10 | jf31 | figs-explicit | וַיַּחְתֹּ֖ם בְּטַבַּ֣עַת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | and he sealed with the signet ring of the king | This means that Mordecai sealed the letters with this ring. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “and he sealed the letters with the ring that had the king’s official seal on it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 828 | EST | 8 | 10 | yt4j | bita-hq | בְּיַד֩ הָרָצִ֨ים בַּסּוּסִ֜ים | 1 | by the hand of runners on horses | As in 3:13, **hand** could mean two different things. 1) It could literally mean “hand,” meaning that the runners carried the letters in their hands. 2) It could also be a metaphor for power, control, or authority, meaning that runners were the ones who delivered the letters to all the provinces throughout the empire. Alternate translation: “Couriers on horseback delivered the letters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 829 | EST | 8 | 10 | acg6 | רֹכְבֵ֤י הָרֶ֨כֶשׁ֙ הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים בְּנֵ֖י הָֽרַמָּכִֽים | 1 | riders of the royal pack horses, sons of the mares | “They rose fast horses that were used in the king’s service. These horses had been bred in the king’s stables.” | |
| 830 | EST | 8 | 10 | p9uc | bita-hq | בְּנֵ֖י הָֽרַמָּכִֽים | 1 | sons of the mares | Here **sons** is a metonym meaning the offspring of royal livestock, probably either horses or donkeys. Alternate translation: “the offspring of the king’s horses” or “the offspring of the king’s donkeys” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonym]]) |
| 831 | EST | 8 | 11 | ig7u | נָתַ֨ן הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לַיְּהוּדִ֣ים | 1 | the king gave to the Jews | “The letters said that the king had given the Jews…permission” | |
| 832 | EST | 8 | 11 | j5r5 | figs-idiom | בְּכָל־עִיר־וָעִ֗יר | 1 | in every city by city | This expression means “in each and every city.” It is possibly referring to the entire empire by naming one part of it, its cities. The story says in 9:19 that Jews living in rural areas also defended themselves, not just Jews living in cities. It is likely that the messengers only published the news in the cities and not the entire countryside, but the news was certainly intended for everyone, not only people living in the cities. Alternate translation: “throughout the empire” or “in each and every city” or “in every single city” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 833 | EST | 8 | 11 | e1mj | bita-humanbehavior | לְהִקָּהֵל֮ וְלַעֲמֹ֣ד עַל־נַפְשָׁם֒ | 1 | to gather and to stand for their life | Here **standing** is a metaphor meaning to defend oneself and fight back instead of running away from an enemy. Alternate translation: “to join together and fight for their lives” or “fight back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 834 | EST | 8 | 11 | j5r7 | figs-doublet | לְהַשְׁמִיד֩ וְלַהֲרֹ֨ג וּלְאַבֵּ֜ד | 1 | to annihilate, and to slaughter, and to destroy | These words mean the same thing and are used together to emphasize the completeness of the destruction that is being described. See how you translated this in 3:13 and 7:4. Alternate translation: “completely destroy” (A “doublet” can involve the use of more than two words. See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 835 | EST | 8 | 11 | acg7 | figs-metonymy | כָּל־חֵ֨יל עַ֧ם וּמְדִינָ֛ה הַצָּרִ֥ים אֹתָ֖ם | 1 | any strength of a people or province that would attack them | **Strength** is a figurative way of referring to an army or to a person carrying weaponry. Alternate translation: “the army of any people or province that attacked them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 836 | EST | 8 | 11 | acg8 | טַ֣ף וְנָשִׁ֑ים | 1 | children and women | “They could also kill the wives and children of the soldiers” | |
| 837 | EST | 8 | 11 | acg9 | וּשְׁלָלָ֖ם לָבֽוֹז | 1 | and plunder their spoil | See how you translated this expression in 3:13. Alternate translation: “and take everything that belonged to them” | |
| 838 | EST | 8 | 12 | ach0 | בְּי֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד | 1 | on one day | “on the same day” | |
| 839 | EST | 8 | 12 | ach1 | בְּכָל־מְדִינ֖וֹת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ | 1 | in all of the provinces of the king Ahasuerus | “in every province throughout the empire” | |
| 840 | EST | 8 | 12 | j6r3 | translate-ordinal | בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר | 1 | on the thirteenth | Alternate translation: “on day 13” or “on the thirteenth day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 841 | EST | 8 | 12 | hi2y | translate-ordinal | לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר | 1 | of the twelfth month | Alternate translation: “of month 12” or “of the twelfth month” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 842 | EST | 8 | 12 | ach2 | figs-explicit | לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר | 1 | of the twelfth month | Implicitly this means “the twelfth month of that same year.” If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 843 | EST | 8 | 12 | j6r3 | translate-hebrewmonths | הוּא־חֹ֥דֶשׁ אֲדָֽר | 1 | which is the month of Adar | This is the name of the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 844 | EST | 8 | 13 | ach3 | הַכְּתָ֗ב | 1 | the writing | “the letter” | |
| 845 | EST | 8 | 13 | j6r5 | figs-activepassive | לְהִנָּ֤תֵֽן דָּת֙ | 1 | was to be given as a law | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “so that people would know that the king had commanded this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 846 | EST | 8 | 13 | j6r7 | figs-idiom | בְּכָל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֔ה | 1 | in every province by province | This expression means “each and every province.” Alternate translation: “in every single province” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 847 | EST | 8 | 13 | ach4 | figs-activepassive | גָּל֖וּי לְכָל־הָעַמִּ֑ים | 1 | being uncovered for all the peoples | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “The letter told the officials in every single province to post copies where everyone could see them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 848 | EST | 8 | 13 | ach5 | לִהְי֨וֹת הַיְּהוּדִ֤ים עֲתִידִים֙ לַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה | 1 | for the Jews to be prepared for that day | “That way the Jews would get ready to do what the letter said when the day came” | |
| 849 | EST | 8 | 13 | qk1d | figs-idiom | לְהִנָּקֵ֖ם מֵאֹיְבֵיהֶֽם | 1 | to take revenge from their enemies | This expression “to take revenge from” another person means to correct a wrong they have done. In this context, the phrase means to correct the wrong of the original law that gave people permission to kill the Jews. Alternate translation: “and fight back against their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 850 | EST | 8 | 14 | ach6 | figs-activepassive | מְבֹהָלִ֥ים וּדְחוּפִ֖ים בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ | 1 | hastened and hurried by the word of the king | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “The king commanded the couriers to deliver the letters as quickly as possible.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 851 | EST | 8 | 14 | b69j | figs-doublet | מְבֹהָלִ֥ים וּדְחוּפִ֖ים | 1 | hastened and hurried | These two terms mean almost the same thing and are used together to emphasis the fact that the couriers were told to deliver the letters as quickly as possible. Alternate translation: “They went immediately” or “as quickly as possible” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 852 | EST | 8 | 14 | ach7 | הָרָצִ֞ים רֹכְבֵ֤י הָרֶ֨כֶשׁ֙ הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים | 1 | The runners, the riders of the royal pack horses | “He sent them out on fast horses that were used in his service” | |
| 853 | EST | 8 | 14 | ach8 | figs-events | הָרָצִ֞ים רֹכְבֵ֤י הָרֶ֨כֶשׁ֙ הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים | 1 | The runners, the riders of the royal pack horses | To present the events in chronological order, you can put this after the king’s command. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 854 | EST | 8 | 14 | j6r9 | figs-activepassive | וְהַדָּ֥ת נִתְּנָ֖ה | 1 | And the law was given | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “Copies of the letter were also posted and read” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 855 | EST | 8 | 14 | s4qi | בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה | 1 | in Susa the citadel | “in the capital city of Susa” | |
| 856 | EST | 8 | 15 | j7r3 | writing-newevent | וּמָרְדֳּכַ֞י יָצָ֣א | 1 | Then Mordecai went out | This introduces a new event in the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-orderHeb]]) |
| 857 | EST | 8 | 15 | j7r5 | bita-hq | מִלִּפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ | 1 | from before the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. This phrase means that Mordecai had been in the presence of King Ahasuerus and was now leaving in order to fulfill his duties as a high official in the Persian government. Alternate translation: “Mordecai left the palace.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 858 | EST | 8 | 15 | ach9 | figs-explicit | בִּלְב֤וּשׁ מַלְכוּת֙ תְּכֵ֣לֶת וָח֔וּר וַעֲטֶ֤רֶת זָהָב֙ גְּדוֹלָ֔ה וְתַכְרִ֥יךְ בּ֖וּץ וְאַרְגָּמָ֑ן | 1 | in a garment of royalty of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a robe of fine linen and purple | The implication is that the king gave Mordecai these special things to wear to show that he was now his highest officer. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. To put these events in chronological order, you can place this information before the report that Mordecai left the king’s presence to fulfill his duties. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 859 | EST | 8 | 15 | aci0 | בִּלְב֤וּשׁ מַלְכוּת֙ תְּכֵ֣לֶת וָח֔וּר וַעֲטֶ֤רֶת זָהָב֙ גְּדוֹלָ֔ה וְתַכְרִ֥יךְ בּ֖וּץ וְאַרְגָּמָ֑ן | 1 | in a garment of royalty of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a robe of fine linen and purple | Mordecai’s change from sackcloth to royal robes showed that even before the day came for the Jews to fight back, their situation had changed from desperation to triumph. | |
| 860 | EST | 8 | 15 | aci1 | בִּלְב֤וּשׁ מַלְכוּת֙ תְּכֵ֣לֶת וָח֔וּר וַעֲטֶ֤רֶת זָהָב֙ גְּדוֹלָ֔ה וְתַכְרִ֥יךְ בּ֖וּץ וְאַרְגָּמָ֑ן | 1 | a garment of royalty of blue and white | “a blue and white royal garment” | |
| 861 | EST | 8 | 15 | aci2 | וָח֔וּר וַעֲטֶ֤רֶת זָהָב֙ | 1 | a great crown of gold | “a large golden crown” | |
| 862 | EST | 8 | 15 | eqc4 | figs-metonymy | וְהָעִ֣יר שׁוּשָׁ֔ן צָהֲלָ֖ה וְשָׂמֵֽחָה | 1 | and the city of Susa | Here the city represents the people living in it. Alternate translation: “the people of Susa” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 863 | EST | 8 | 15 | i1ec | figs-hendiadys | צָהֲלָ֖ה וְשָׂמֵֽחָה | 1 | cheered and rejoiced | This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with “and.” The word “rejoiced” tells how they cheered. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the meaning by saying something like “shouted joyfully.” Alternate translation: “cheered and were happy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 864 | EST | 8 | 15 | aci3 | figs-explicit | צָהֲלָ֖ה וְשָׂמֵֽחָה | 1 | cheered and rejoiced | The implication is that the people did this when they saw Mordecai. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 865 | EST | 8 | 16 | aci4 | figs-doublet | הָֽיְתָ֥ה אוֹרָ֖ה וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה | 1 | there was light and joy | The terms **light** and **joy** mean the same thing. They are used together to show how happy the Jews felt. Alternate translation: “the Jews felt very happy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 866 | EST | 8 | 16 | q2ru | bita-phenom | הָֽיְתָ֥ה אוֹרָ֖ה | 1 | there was light | Here **light** figuratively represents happiness. Alternate translation: “the Jews felt happy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-phenom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 867 | EST | 8 | 16 | j7r9 | figs-doublet | אוֹרָ֖ה וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה | 1 | light and joy | Here the terms **light** and **joy** mean the same thing. They are used together to emphasize the extreme happiness that the Jews felt. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 868 | EST | 8 | 16 | j8r1 | figs-doublet | וְשָׂשֹׂ֖ן וִיקָֽר | 1 | and rejoicing and honor | These terms have similar meaning and are used together with the previous doublet to emphasize again the great happiness and joy that the Jews felt. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 869 | EST | 8 | 16 | n94u | figs-explicit | וִיקָֽר | 1 | and honor | Here **honor** might have two possible meanings. (1) The Jews felt honor instead of shame. Alternate translation: “they felt honored” (2) Other people honored the Jews. Alternate translation: “other people honored them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 870 | EST | 8 | 17 | k1eh | figs-idiom | וּבְכָל־מְדִינָ֨ה וּמְדִינָ֜ה | 1 | And in every province by province | This expression means “each and every province.” Alternate translation: in every single province” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 871 | EST | 8 | 17 | j8r3 | figs-idiom | וּבְכָל־עִ֣יר וָעִ֗יר | 1 | and in every city by city | This expression means “each and every city.” Alternate translation: “in every single city” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 872 | EST | 8 | 17 | va7t | figs-personification | מְקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְדָתוֹ֙ מַגִּ֔יעַ | 1 | any place where the word of the king and his law had reached | This expression describes the king’s message as if it were a person that could travel to a particular place. This phrase refers to all the places that received the king’s letter. Alternate translation: “wherever the king’s couriers took his decree” or “wherever the couriers read the letter announcing the king’s decree” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 873 | EST | 8 | 17 | j8r5 | figs-doublet | שִׂמְחָ֤ה וְשָׂשׂוֹן֙ לַיְּהוּדִ֔ים | 1 | there was joy and rejoicing for the Jews | The terms **joy** and **rejoicing** have similar meaning and are used together to emphasize the great happiness and joy that the Jews felt. Alternate translation: “the Jews rejoiced greatly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 874 | EST | 8 | 17 | p89m | figs-doublet | מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה וְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב | 1 | a feast and a good day | These two terms mean something similar and are used together to emphasize the great happiness and joy that the Jews felt. Alternate translation: “and had big celebrations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 875 | EST | 8 | 17 | aci5 | figs-idiom | וְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב | 1 | a good day | This expression generally means a day of happiness or celebration. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 876 | EST | 8 | 17 | aci6 | figs-explicit | וְרַבִּ֞ים מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ מִֽתְיַהֲדִ֔ים | 1 | And many from the peoples of the land became Jews | The implication is that they did this so that they would not be attacked when the Jews fought back against their enemies. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 877 | EST | 8 | 17 | aci7 | וְרַבִּ֞ים מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ מִֽתְיַהֲדִ֔ים | 1 | And many from the peoples of the land | “many people from other groups in the empire” | |
| 878 | EST | 8 | 17 | aci8 | figs-idiom | מֵֽעַמֵּ֤י הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ | 1 | from the peoples of the land | The **peoples of the land** were the non-Jewish people groups within the empire. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 879 | EST | 8 | 17 | r3qf | bita-humanbehavior | נָפַ֥ל פַּֽחַד־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים עֲלֵיהֶֽם | 1 | dread of the Jews had fallen on them | Here **falling** is a metaphor meaning to affect someone. Alternate translation: “they had become very afraid of the Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 880 | EST | 8 | 17 | aci9 | figs-events | נָפַ֥ל פַּֽחַד־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים עֲלֵיהֶֽם | 1 | dread of the Jews had fallen upon them | To present the events in chronological order, you can say this before saying that the people from the other groups became Jews themselves. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 881 | EST | 9 | intro | yty1 | 0 | # Esther 09 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Purim<br>The events of this chapter were so significant, the Jews celebrated these events every year after this. It is known as “Purim.”<br><br>## Important figures of speech in this chapter<br><br>### Ironic Situation<br>The day that was supposed to bring great victory to the enemies of the Jews became a day of great victory for the Jews. This is a type of irony.<br> | |||
| 882 | EST | 9 | 1 | j8r7 | writing-newevent | וּבִשְׁנֵים֩ עָשָׂ֨ר חֹ֜דֶשׁ | 1 | Now in the twelfth month | This introduces a new event. This verse provides a summary of everything that happens in this chapter. So even though it describes the final outcome, you do not need to move it to the end of the chapter to present the events in chronological order. An opening summary like this is a characteristic device of Hebrew storytelling, and by leaving it in place, you will allow your readers to experience the story somewhat the way the original audience did. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) |
| 883 | EST | 9 | 1 | acj0 | figs-explicit | וּבִשְׁנֵים֩ עָשָׂ֨ר חֹ֜דֶשׁ הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֗ר בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ בּ֔וֹ | 1 | Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of it | The implication is that this happened in the twelfth month of the same year that the letters were sent out. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month of that year, the month of Adar” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 884 | EST | 9 | 1 | j8r9 | translate-ordinal | וּבִשְׁנֵים֩ עָשָׂ֨ר חֹ֜דֶשׁ | 1 | Now in the twelfth month | Alternate translation: “Now in month 12” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 885 | EST | 9 | 1 | t9yc | translate-hebrewmonths | הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֗ר | 1 | which is the month of Adar | “Adar” is the name of the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 886 | EST | 9 | 1 | j9r1 | translate-ordinal | בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר יוֹם֙ בּ֔וֹ | 1 | on the thirteenth day of it | Alternate translation: “on day 13” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 887 | EST | 9 | 1 | acj1 | אֲשֶׁ֨ר…דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ וְדָת֖וֹ לְהֵעָשׂ֑וֹת | 1 | when the word of the king and his law | “what the letter said the king had decreed” | |
| 888 | EST | 9 | 1 | wh56 | figs-personification | אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִגִּ֧יעַ דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ וְדָת֖וֹ לְהֵעָשׂ֑וֹת | 1 | when the word of the king and his law had reached the time to be done | This expression describes the king’s decree as if it had traveled through time (as a person travels through space) and reached this particular day. This phrase means that it was time for people to obey the decree. Alternate translation: “when the people were about to obey the king’s law and decree” or “when the people were about to obey the king’s law and decree” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 889 | EST | 9 | 1 | acj2 | בַּיּ֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר שִׂבְּר֜וּ אֹיְבֵ֤י הַיְּהוּדִים֙ לִשְׁל֣וֹט בָּהֶ֔ם | 1 | on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to dominate them | “The enemies of the Jews had expected to defeat the Jews on that day” | |
| 890 | EST | 9 | 1 | ect2 | figs-idiom | לִשְׁל֣וֹט | 1 | to dominate | This word usually means “to rule over,” but here it figuratively means “to have power over, to be able to destroy.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 891 | EST | 9 | 1 | lq9y | figs-metaphor | וְנַהֲפ֣וֹךְ | 1 | but being overturned | Saying that a situation was turned over is a figurative way of saying that the opposite of what was expected happened. Alternate translation: “the situation was reversed” or “the opposite happened” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 892 | EST | 9 | 1 | acj3 | ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁלְט֧וּ הַיְּהוּדִ֛ים הֵ֖מָּה בְּשֹׂנְאֵיהֶֽם | 1 | it happened that the Jews themselves dominated those who hated them | “Instead, the Jews themselves destroyed their enemies” | |
| 893 | EST | 9 | 1 | acj4 | figs-idiom | הֵ֖מָּה בְּשֹׂנְאֵיהֶֽם | 1 | those who hated them | This is an idiom that describes enemies (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 894 | EST | 9 | 2 | acj5 | נִקְהֲל֨וּ | 1 | assembled themselves | “joined together” | |
| 895 | EST | 9 | 2 | tj62 | figs-idiom | לִשְׁלֹ֣חַ יָ֔ד | 1 | to stretch out a hand | Here the expression “to stretch out a hand” means to cause someone physical harm with the intention of killing him. Alternate translation: “to defend themselves against” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 896 | EST | 9 | 2 | d44x | figs-abstractnouns | בִּמְבַקְשֵׁ֖י רָֽעָתָ֑ם | 1 | against those seeking their evil | Here the abstract noun “evil” likely means “harm,” as in 7:7 and 8:6. In this context, the term can be expressed with a verb. Alternate translation: “who were trying to destroy them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 897 | EST | 9 | 2 | acj6 | figs-idiom | וְאִישׁ֙ לֹא־עָמַ֣ד לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם | 1 | But a man did not stand to their face | Alternate translation: “no one stood against them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 898 | EST | 9 | 2 | x8s3 | bita-humanbehavior | וְאִישׁ֙ לֹא־עָמַ֣ד לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם | 1 | But a man did not stand to their face | Here **standing** is a metaphor meaning to defend oneself and to fight back instead of running away from an enemy. Alternate translation: “was able to fight back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 899 | EST | 9 | 2 | j9r3 | figs-metonymy | לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם | 1 | to their face | Here **face** figuratively stands for the presence of a person, so here it means “when faced with them.” Alternate translation: “against them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]]) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 900 | EST | 9 | 2 | h7jh | bita-humanbehavior | נָפַ֥ל פַּחְדָּ֖ם עַל־כָּל־הָעַמִּֽים | 1 | sudden fear of them had fallen on all the peoples | Here **falling** is a metaphor meaning to affect someone. Alternate translation: “all the peoples suddenly became very afraid” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 901 | EST | 9 | 2 | acj7 | figs-explicit | נָפַ֥ל פַּחְדָּ֖ם עַל־כָּל־הָעַמִּֽים | 1 | sudden fear of them had fallen on all the peoples | The implication is that as a result, no one helped anyone who attacked the Jews. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 902 | EST | 9 | 3 | acj8 | שָׂרֵ֨י הַמְּדִינ֜וֹת וְהָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִ֣ים וְהַפַּח֗וֹת | 1 | the officials of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors | See how you translated these terms in 3:12 and 8:9. Alternate translation: “the leaders in each province, the royal officials, and the governors” | |
| 903 | EST | 9 | 3 | acj9 | וְעֹשֵׂ֤י הַמְּלָאכָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | and those doing the work that was for the king | “anyone the king had trusted with his affairs” | |
| 904 | EST | 9 | 2 | ack0 | figs-metaphor | מְנַשְּׂאִ֖ים אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִ֑ים | 1 | were lifting up the Jews | Here **lifting up** is a figurative way of saying “helping.” The picture is likely of someone helping a tired or injured person to stand or walk by holding them up. Alternate translation: “helped the Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 905 | EST | 9 | 3 | q2ue | bita-humanbehavior | נָפַ֥ל פַּֽחַד־מָרְדֳּכַ֖י עֲלֵיהֶֽם | 1 | dread of Mordecai had fallen on them | Here **falling** is a metaphor meaning to affect someone. Alternate translation: “they became very afraid of Mordecan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 906 | EST | 9 | 4 | j9r5 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּֽי | 1 | For | This term introduces the reason why the officials and satraps and governors were becoming afraid of Mordecai. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 907 | EST | 9 | 4 | xd49 | figs-explicit | גָ֤דוֹל מָרְדֳּכַי֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | Mordecai was great in the palace of the king | The implication is that this is why all the other officials were afraid of Mordecai. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation, add: “They were afraid of him because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 908 | EST | 9 | 4 | ack1 | figs-metonymy | גָ֤דוֹל מָרְדֳּכַי֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | Mordecai was great in the palace of the king | **The palace of the king** is a figurative way of describing the king’s administration by referring to the place where it was headquartered. Alternate translation: “was very important in the king’s palace” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 909 | EST | 9 | 4 | ack2 | גָ֤דוֹל מָרְדֳּכַי֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ | 1 | Mordecai was great | **Great** here is the same term that, as a verb, describes promotion within the king’s service in in 3:1 and 5:11. Alternate translation: “Mordecai was a very important royal official” | |
| 910 | EST | 9 | 4 | mr66 | figs-personification | וְשָׁמְע֖וֹ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּכָל־הַמְּדִינ֑וֹת | 1 | and the report of him was going out into all the provinces | Here the story speaks of the news of Mordecai’s greatness as if it were a living thing that could travel throughout the empire. Alternate translation: “throughout the empire, everyone was hearing about how great he was” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 911 | EST | 9 | 4 | j9r9 | figs-idiom | מָרְדֳּכַ֖י הוֹלֵ֥ךְ וְגָדֽוֹל | 1 | Mordecai was progressing and becoming great | This expression means that Mordecai continued to become more powerful and influential. Alternate translation: “Mordecai was becoming more famous because the king was giving him more and more power” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 912 | EST | 9 | 5 | ack3 | וַיַּכּ֤וּ הַיְּהוּדִים֙ בְּכָל־אֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם מַכַּת־חֶ֥רֶב | 1 | the Jews struck to all their enemies a strike of sword | After the information about Mordecai, the story now returns to tell what happened on the appointed day. You could add a phrase to show this. Alternate translation, add: “On the day when they were allowed to defend themselves” | |
| 913 | EST | 9 | 5 | ack4 | figs-idiom | וַיַּכּ֤וּ הַיְּהוּדִים֙ בְּכָל־אֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם מַכַּת־חֶ֥רֶב | 1 | the Jews struck to all their enemies a strike of sword | This expression means that the Jews defended themselves against their enemies, even to the point of killing people who attacked them. Alternate translation: “The Jews attacked all of their enemies and killed them with their swords.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 914 | EST | 9 | 5 | j11d | figs-synecdoche | מַכַּת־חֶ֥רֶב | 1 | a strike of sword | Swords were not necessarily the only weapons the Jews had and used. The sword is used to represent all of their weaponry. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this more general meaning. Alternate translation: “The Jews took their weapons and fought against their enemies.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 915 | EST | 9 | 5 | j13d | figs-doublet | וְהֶ֖רֶג וְאַבְדָ֑ן | 1 | and slaughter, and destruction | These two words have the same meaning and are used together for emphasis. Alternate translation: “They destroyed them completely.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 916 | EST | 9 | 5 | j15d | figs-idiom | וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֥וּ בְשֹׂנְאֵיהֶ֖ם כִּרְצוֹנָֽם | 1 | and they did to those who hated them according to their pleasure | This expression does not mean that the Jews felt pleasure when they killed their enemies. Rather, it means that the Jews were able to defend themselves against their enemies and were not hindered in any way. Alternate translation: “They were able to do everything they wanted to do against their enemies.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 917 | EST | 9 | 5 | ack5 | figs-idiom | בְשֹׂנְאֵיהֶ֖ם | 1 | those who hated them | This is an idiom that describes enemies. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 918 | EST | 9 | 6 | b5ft | וּבְשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֗ה | 1 | And in Susa the citadel | “Just in Susa, the capital city” | |
| 919 | EST | 9 | 6 | j17d | figs-doublet | הָרְג֤וּ…וְאַבֵּ֔ד | 1 | slaughtered and destroyed | These two words have the same meaning and are used together for emphasis. Alternate translation: “killed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 920 | EST | 9 | 6 | ha18 | translate-numbers | חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת אִֽישׁ | 1 | 500 men | Alternate translation: “five hundred men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 921 | EST | 9 | 7 | ack6 | figs-explicit | פַּרְשַׁנְדָּ֛תָא…דַּֽלְפ֖וֹן…אַסְפָּֽתָא | 1 | Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha | The story lists the names of Haman’s sons before explaining that they were his sons and that the Jews killed them. You can say this explicitly, even though the information will be repeated in verse 10. Alternate translation, add: “The Jews killed the ten sons of their enemy Haman son of Hammedatha. The names of his sons were …” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 922 | EST | 9 | 7 | s6x2 | translate-names | פַּרְשַׁנְדָּ֛תָא…דַּֽלְפ֖וֹן…אַסְפָּֽתָא | 1 | Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha | These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 923 | EST | 9 | 8 | g6zx | translate-names | פּוֹרָ֛תָא…אֲדַלְיָ֖א…אֲרִידָֽתָא | 1 | Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha | These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 924 | EST | 9 | 9 | gj4p | translate-names | פַּרְמַ֨שְׁתָּא֙…אֲרִיסַ֔י…אֲרִדַ֖י…וַיְזָֽתָא | 1 | Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, Vaizatha | These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 925 | EST | 9 | 10 | fsa2 | translate-numbers | עֲ֠שֶׂרֶת בְּנֵ֨י | 1 | ten sons | Alternate translation: “10 sons” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 926 | EST | 9 | 10 | xt5b | figs-informremind | צֹרֵ֥ר הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים | 1 | the adversary of the Jews | This phrase tells gives clarifying information about Haman. Alternate translation: “the enemy of the Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 927 | EST | 9 | 10 | j19d | figs-idiom | לֹ֥א שָׁלְח֖וּ אֶת־יָדָֽם | 1 | they did not stretch out their hand | Here the expression “to stretch out a hand” means to take something from another person. Alternate translation: “they did not take” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 928 | EST | 9 | 10 | ack7 | וּבַ֨בִּזָּ֔ה | 1 | But…to the plunder | “But…the things that belonged to them” | |
| 929 | EST | 9 | 11 | ack8 | בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא | 1 | On that day | “At the end of the day” | |
| 930 | EST | 9 | 11 | j21d | figs-personification | בָּ֣א מִסְפַּ֧ר…לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | the report of the number…came to the face of the king | Here the story speaks about the report as if it were a living thing that could come into the the king’s presence. Alternate translation: “one of the king’s servants reported the number of those who were killed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 931 | EST | 9 | 11 | acl0 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ | 1 | to the face of the king | Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. This phrase likely means that someone came into the king’s presence in order to deliver this report. Alternate translation: “someone came in and reported to the king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 932 | EST | 9 | 11 | j22d | figs-activepassive | מִסְפַּ֧ר הַֽהֲרוּגִ֛ים | 1 | the number of those who were killed | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “how many people the Jews had killed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 933 | EST | 9 | 11 | j23d | בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָ֖ה | 1 | in Susa the citadel | “the capital city of Susa” | |
| 934 | EST | 9 | 12 | j29d | בְּשׁוּשַׁ֣ן הַבִּירָ֡ה | 1 | in Susa the citadel | “the capital city of Susa” | |
| 935 | EST | 9 | 12 | j33d | figs-doublet | הָרְגוּ֩… וְאַבֵּ֜ד | 1 | have slaughtered and destroyed | These terms mean the same thing and are used together for emphasis. Alternate translation: “killed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 936 | EST | 9 | 12 | cz3e | translate-numbers | חֲמֵ֧שׁ מֵא֣וֹת אִ֗ישׁ | 1 | 500 men | “five hundred men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 937 | EST | 9 | 12 | acl1 | וְאֵת֙ | 1 | with | “including” | |
| 938 | EST | 9 | 12 | j5p9 | translate-numbers | עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת בְּנֵֽי | 1 | ten sons | Alternate translation: “10 sons” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 939 | EST | 9 | 12 | vh5l | figs-rquestion | בִּשְׁאָ֛ר מְדִינ֥וֹת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מֶ֣ה עָשׂ֑וּ | 1 | In the rest of the provinces of the king, what have they done? | The king is making a statement, but he uses a question form to show that he is very convinced that the Jews must have also killed many people in the other provinces. Alternate translation: “What they must have done in the rest of the king’s provinces!” or “They must have killed many more in the rest of the king’s provinces!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) |
| 940 | EST | 9 | 12 | s3sr | figs-parallelism | וּמַה־שְּׁאֵֽלָתֵךְ֙ וְיִנָּ֣תֵֽן לָ֔ךְ וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֥ךְ ע֖וֹד וְתֵעָֽשׂ | 1 | Now what is your petition? And it will be given to you. And what is your request? Again, and it will be done. | These two statements mean basically the same thing. Ahasuerus says the same thing twice to show that he is truly disposed to give Esther what she wants. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation. Alternate translation: “Is there anything more that you want? Tell me, and I will do it for you.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 941 | EST | 9 | 12 | n3ua | figs-activepassive | וְיִנָּ֣תֵֽן לָ֔ךְ…וְתֵעָֽשׂ | 1 | And it will be given to you…and it will be done | You can capture these parallel passive statements with one statement using an active form. You can also say who will doe the action. Alternate translation: “I will do it for you.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 942 | EST | 9 | 12 | ly4g | figs-abstractnouns | שְּׁאֵֽלָתֵךְ֙…בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֥ךְ | 1 | your petition…your request | The two abstract nouns “petition” and “request” can be expressed with a single phrase using the verb “want.” Alternate translation: “anything more that you want” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 943 | EST | 9 | 13 | acl2 | figs-idiom | אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב | 1 | If it is good to the king | This is an idiom that has been used many times in the story. Alternate translation: “If it seems like a good idea to you, O king.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 944 | EST | 9 | 13 | acl3 | figs-activepassive | יִנָּתֵ֣ן | 1 | let it be given | You can say this with an active form, and you can indicate that Esther is asking the king to do it. Alternate translation: “please allow” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 945 | EST | 9 | 13 | nz41 | גַּם־מָחָ֗ר לַיְּהוּדִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּשׁוּשָׁ֔ן לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כְּדָ֣ת הַיּ֑וֹם | 1 | also tomorrow to the Jews who are in Susa to do according to the law of today | “all the Jews who live in Susa to obey today’s decree tomorrow also” or “to do tomorrow also what was decreed that they should do today” | |
| 946 | EST | 9 | 13 | j43d | בְּשׁוּשָׁ֔ן | 1 | in Susa | “in the capital city of Susa” | |
| 947 | EST | 9 | 13 | acl4 | עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת בְּנֵֽי־הָמָ֖ן יִתְל֥וּ | 1 | let the ten sons of Haman hang | The request is not for the king to allow the bodies to be impaled (or hanged), but for the king to order this. Alternate translation: “and have the bodies of Haman’s ten sons impaled [or hanged]” | |
| 948 | EST | 9 | 13 | acl5 | figs-symaction | עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת בְּנֵֽי־הָמָ֖ן יִתְל֥וּ | 1 | let the ten sons of Haman hang | The purpose of this would not be to kill the sons, since they are already dead, but to demonstrate publicly that the enemies of the Jews had been completely defeated. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 949 | EST | 9 | 13 | acl6 | figs-explicit | עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת בְּנֵֽי־הָמָ֖ן יִתְל֥וּ | 1 | the ten sons of Haman | It is implicit that since Haman’s sons are already dead, what Esther is actually asking for is for their bodies to be impaled or hanged. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the bodies of Haman’s ten sons” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 950 | EST | 9 | 13 | nr1p | translate-numbers | עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת בְּנֵֽי | 1 | ten sons | Alternate translation: “10 sons” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 951 | EST | 9 | 13 | qyu8 | figs-metonymy | הָעֵֽץ | 1 | the tree | See how you translated this term in 2:23 and its other occurrences. Review the explanation in the note to 2:23 if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “wooden pole” or “gallows.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 952 | EST | 9 | 14 | acl7 | figs-activepassive | וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ לְהֵֽעָשׂ֣וֹת כֵּ֔ן | 1 | the king said for this to be done | You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “The king granted both of Esther’s requests.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 953 | EST | 9 | 14 | acl8 | figs-explicit | וַתִּנָּתֵ֥ן דָּ֖ת בְּשׁוּשָׁ֑ן | 1 | And a law was given in Susa | This phrase “in Susa” seems to indicate that this refers to Esther’s first request. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “He issued a decree allowing the Jews in Susa to fight against their enemies again the next day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 954 | EST | 9 | 14 | j47d | figs-activepassive | וַתִּנָּתֵ֥ן דָּ֖ת בְּשׁוּשָׁ֑ן | 1 | And a law was given in Susa | This can be stated in active form. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 955 | EST | 9 | 14 | j49d | בְּשׁוּשָׁ֑ן | 1 | in Susa | “the capital city of Susa” | |
| 956 | EST | 9 | 14 | acl9 | תָּלֽוּ | 1 | they hanged | This was Esther’s second request. You can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “he ordered his servants to impale [or hang] the bodies of Haman's ten sons” | |
| 957 | EST | 9 | 14 | j51d | translate-numbers | עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת בְּנֵֽי | 1 | ten sons | Alternate translation: “10 sons” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 958 | EST | 9 | 15 | j55d | בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן | 1 | who were in Susa | “who lived in the capital city of Susa” | |
| 959 | EST | 9 | 15 | acm0 | וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ | 1 | So…assembled themselves | “joined together” | |
| 960 | EST | 9 | 15 | p9gc | translate-ordinal | בְּי֣וֹם אַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ | 1 | on the fourteenth day | Alternate translation: “on day 14” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 961 | EST | 9 | 15 | j57d | translate-hebrewmonths | לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֔ר | 1 | of the month of Adar | “Adar” is the name of the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 962 | EST | 9 | 15 | j59d | בְשׁוּשָׁ֔ן | 1 | in Susa | “in the capital city of Susa” | |
| 963 | EST | 9 | 15 | j61d | translate-numbers | שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת אִ֑ישׁ | 1 | 300 men | Alternate translation: “three hundred men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 964 | EST | 9 | 15 | lp12 | figs-idiom | וּבַ֨בִּזָּ֔ה לֹ֥א שָׁלְח֖וּ אֶת־יָדָֽם | 1 | they did not stretch out their hand to the plunder | Here the expression “to stretch out a hand” means to take something from another person. Alternate translation: “they did not take the things that belonged to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 965 | EST | 9 | 16 | acm1 | וּשְׁאָ֣ר הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים אֲשֶׁר֩ בִּמְדִינ֨וֹת הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ | 1 | And the rest of the Jews who were in the provinces of the king | “the Jews who lived in the other parts of the empire” | |
| 966 | EST | 9 | 16 | j65d | bita-humanbehavior | נִקְהֲל֣וּ ׀ וְעָמֹ֣ד עַל־נַפְשָׁ֗ם | 1 | assembled themselves and stood for their lives | Here **standing** is a metaphor meaning to defend oneself and to fight back instead of running away from an enemy. See how you translated this in 8:11. Alternate translation: “joined together to fight back against their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 967 | EST | 9 | 16 | acm2 | figs-explicit | נִקְהֲל֣וּ ׀ וְעָמֹ֣ד עַל־נַפְשָׁ֗ם | 1 | assembled themselves | It’s implicit here, and stated explicitly in the next verse, that these other Jews fought their enemies only on the thirteenth day. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation, add: “on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 968 | EST | 9 | 16 | acm3 | figs-metaphor | וְנ֨וֹחַ֙ מֵאֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם | 1 | and they rested from their enemies | Here **resting** is a figurative way of saying that they no longer needed to fight against their enemies because they had won the battle. Alternate translation: “They defeated their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 969 | EST | 9 | 16 | kms1 | וְהָרֹג֙ בְּשֹׂ֣נְאֵיהֶ֔ם חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה וְשִׁבְעִ֖ים אָ֑לֶף | 1 | they slaughtered 75,000 of those who hated them | “and killed 75,000 of them” | |
| 970 | EST | 9 | 16 | i1d1 | translate-numbers | חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה וְשִׁבְעִ֖ים אָ֑לֶף | 1 | 75000 | Alternate translation: “seventy-five thousand” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 971 | EST | 9 | 16 | m2cx | לֹ֥א שָֽׁלְח֖וּ אֶת־יָדָֽם | 1 | they did not stretch out their hand to the plunder | “they did not take the things that belonged to them” or “they did not take the valuable things” or “the did not take their possessions” | |
| 972 | EST | 9 | 17 | acm4 | בְּיוֹם־שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֑ר וְנ֗וֹחַ | 1 | On the thirteenth day of the month of Adar: then they rested | “They fought their enemies on that day and defeated them” | |
| 973 | EST | 9 | 17 | ll4f | translate-ordinal | בְּיוֹם־שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר | 1 | the thirteenth day | Alternate translation: “day 13” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 974 | EST | 9 | 17 | j67d | translate-hebrewmonths | לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֑ר | 1 | of the month of Adar | “Adar” is the name of the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 975 | EST | 9 | 17 | acm5 | בְּאַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ בּ֔וֹ וְעָשֹׂ֣ה אֹת֔וֹ י֖וֹם מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה וְשִׂמְחָֽה | 1 | on the fourteenth day of it, then they made it a day of feasting and rejoicing | “They devoted the next day, the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, to joyful celebration” or “They feasted joyfully the next day, the fourteenth day of the month of Adar” | |
| 976 | EST | 9 | 17 | kjj1 | translate-ordinal | בְּאַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ בּ֔וֹ | 1 | on the fourteenth of it | Alternate translation: “on day 14” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 977 | EST | 9 | 17 | j69d | figs-hendiadys | מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה וְשִׂמְחָֽה | 1 | feasting and rejoicing | This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with “and.” The word “rejoicing” tells how they celebrated. Alternate translation: “joyful celebration” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 978 | EST | 9 | 17 | acm6 | figs-synecdoche | מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה וְשִׂמְחָֽה | 1 | feasting | This is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to mean the whole thing. The celebrations must have included more than just eating special meals together, but the story uses those meals to refer to the entire celebrations. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) |
| 979 | EST | 9 | 18 | w531 | וְהַיְּהוּדִ֣ים אֲשֶׁר־בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן נִקְהֲלוּ֙ | 1 | But the Jews who were in Susa assembled themselves | “But the Jews who lived in the capital city of Susa” | |
| 980 | EST | 9 | 18 | acm7 | figs-explicit | נִקְהֲלוּ֙ | 1 | assembled themselves | The implication is that they did this to fight against their enemies. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “the Jews who lived in Susa joined together to fight against their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 981 | EST | 9 | 18 | acm8 | בִּשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ בּ֔וֹ וּבְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר בּ֑וֹ | 1 | on the thirteenth of it and on the fourteenth of it | “on the thirteenth and fourteenth days of the month of Adar” | |
| 982 | EST | 9 | 18 | j73d | translate-ordinal | בִּשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ בּ֔וֹ | 1 | on the thirteenth of it | Alternate translation: “on day 13” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 983 | EST | 9 | 18 | j75d | translate-ordinal | וּבְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר בּ֑וֹ | 1 | and on the fourteenth of it | Alternate translation: “and on day 14” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 984 | EST | 9 | 18 | acm9 | figs-metaphor | וְנ֗וֹחַ בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ בּ֔וֹ וְעָשֹׂ֣ה אֹת֔וֹ י֖וֹם מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה וְשִׂמְחָֽה | 1 | And they rested on the fifteenth of it, and they made it a day of feasting and rejoicing | **Resting** is a figurative way of saying that they no longer needed to fight against their enemies because they had won the battle. Alternate translation: “They defeated them, and there was no fighting on the fifteenth day. They devoted that day to joyful celebration.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 985 | EST | 9 | 18 | j77d | translate-ordinal | בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ בּ֔וֹ | 1 | on the fifteenth of it | Alternate translation: “on day 15” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 986 | EST | 9 | 18 | j79d | figs-hendiadys | מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה וְשִׂמְחָֽה | 1 | feasting and rejoicing | This phrase means the same thing as in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “feasted joyfully” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 987 | EST | 9 | 19 | j81d | grammar-connect-logic-result | עַל־כֵּ֞ן | 1 | Therefore | This term introduces the result of the events that were described in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “For that reason” or “That is why” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 988 | EST | 9 | 19 | acn0 | figs-parallelism | הַיְּהוּדִ֣ים הַפְּרָזִ֗ים הַיֹּשְׁבִים֮ בְּעָרֵ֣י הַפְּרָזוֹת֒ | 1 | the Jews, the ones of the open country, the ones who dwell in the cities of the open areas | These two phrases mean similar things. They are used together to make the identification of this group clear. The first phrase means that they lived in rural areas. The second phrase means they lived in settlements that did not have walls around them, that is, in villages. You can combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “the Jews who live in villages in the countryside” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 989 | EST | 9 | 19 | acn1 | figs-explicit | עֹשִׂ֗ים אֵ֠ת י֣וֹם אַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙…וְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב | 1 | make the fourteenth day…and a good day | The implication is that this explanation is being offered for the benefit of city-dwelling Jews who might wonder why rural Jews celebrate this holiday on a different day. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this explicitly. Alternate translation, add: “rather than on the fifteen day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 990 | EST | 9 | 19 | acn2 | עֹשִׂ֗ים אֵ֠ת י֣וֹם אַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙…וְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב | 1 | make the fourteenth day…and a good day | “observe this holiday on the fourteenth day” | |
| 991 | EST | 9 | 19 | j83d | translate-ordinal | י֣וֹם אַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ | 1 | the fourteenth day | Alternate translation: “day 14” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 992 | EST | 9 | 19 | j85d | translate-hebrewmonths | לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֔ר | 1 | of the month of Adar | “Adar” is the name of the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 993 | EST | 9 | 19 | j87d | figs-hendiadys | שִׂמְחָ֥ה וּמִשְׁתֶּ֖ה | 1 | for rejoicing and for feasting | As in verses 17 and 18, this means “by celebrating joyfully” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 994 | EST | 9 | 19 | j89d | figs-idiom | וְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב | 1 | and a good day | This expression generally means a day of happiness or celebration. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 995 | EST | 9 | 19 | acn3 | figs-symaction | וּמִשְׁל֥וֹחַ מָנ֖וֹת אִ֥ישׁ לְרֵעֵֽהוּ | 1 | and for the sending of gifts, a man to his friend | Giving gifts, in this culture as in many cultures, was a way of acknowledging a special occasion. Alternate translation: “and by giving gifts to one another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 996 | EST | 9 | 19 | j91d | figs-idiom | אִ֥ישׁ לְרֵעֵֽהוּ | 1 | a man to his friend | Here “a man” means “a person.” The term “friend” would include family members and neighbors as well as social friends. Alternate translation: “to one another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 997 | EST | 9 | 20 | acn4 | וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב…הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה | 1 | And…wrote these things | “wrote down everything that had happened” | |
| 998 | EST | 9 | 20 | acn5 | כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֗ים אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּכָל־מְדִינוֹת֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ | 1 | all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus | “all the Jews throughout the empire” | |
| 999 | EST | 9 | 20 | j95d | figs-merism | הַקְּרוֹבִ֖ים וְהָרְחוֹקִֽים | 1 | the near ones and the far ones | This is a figurative way of referring to something by speaking of two extreme parts of it, in order to include everything in between. This expression means the Jews who lived in or near Susa, those who lived far away, and all Jews in between. Alternate translation: “everywhere they lived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 1000 | EST | 9 | 21 | acn6 | figs-idiom | לְקַיֵּם֮ עֲלֵיהֶם֒ לִהְי֣וֹת עֹשִׂ֗ים | 1 | to set up for them to be making | Here **to set up** means to establish, and to “make” a day means to observe it as a holiday. Alternate translation: “to establish … as a holiday” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1001 | EST | 9 | 21 | j97d | translate-ordinal | י֣וֹם אַרְבָּעָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ | 1 | the fourteenth day | Alternate translation: “day 14” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 1002 | EST | 9 | 21 | j99d | translate-hebrewmonths | לְחֹ֣דֶשׁ אֲדָ֔ר | 1 | of the month of Adar | “Adar” is the name of the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 1003 | EST | 9 | 21 | j111 | translate-ordinal | יוֹם־חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר בּ֑וֹ | 1 | the fifteenth day of it | Alternate translation: “day 15” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) |
| 1004 | EST | 9 | 21 | n4v9 | figs-idiom | בְּכָל־שָׁנָ֖ה וְשָׁנָֽה | 1 | every year by year | This expression means “every year.” Alternation translation: “every single year” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1005 | EST | 9 | 22 | acn7 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כַּיָּמִ֗ים אֲשֶׁר | 1 | as the days when | This verse gives the reason for what Mordecai told the Jews to do in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “because those were the days when” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 1006 | EST | 9 | 22 | acn8 | figs-metaphor | נָ֨חוּ בָהֶ֤ם הַיְּהוּדִים֙ מֵא֣וֹיְבֵיהֶ֔ם | 1 | the Jews rested on them from their enemies | As in verses 16, 17, and 18, **resting** here is a figurative way of saying that they no longer needed to fight against their enemies because they had won the battle. Alternate translation: “the Jews stopped fighting, because they had defeated their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 1007 | EST | 9 | 22 | acn9 | וְהַחֹ֗דֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר֩ | 1 | and as the month when | “And that was the month when” | |
| 1008 | EST | 9 | 22 | aco1 | figs-parallelism | נֶהְפַּ֨ךְ לָהֶ֤ם מִיָּגוֹן֙ לְשִׂמְחָ֔ה וּמֵאֵ֖בֶל לְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב | 1 | it had turned for them from sorrow into joy and from mourning into a good day | These two phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used to emphasize how dramatic and wonderful the change was. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases and say something like “they became very happy.” Alternate translation: “they changed from being very sorrowful to being very joyful, from crying to celebrating.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 1009 | EST | 9 | 22 | aco3 | figs-explicit | נֶהְפַּ֨ךְ לָהֶ֤ם מִיָּגוֹן֙ לְשִׂמְחָ֔ה וּמֵאֵ֖בֶל לְי֣וֹם ט֑וֹב | 1 | it had turned for them from sorrow into joy and from mourning into a good day | It’s implicit that the Jews were deeply distressed because they were being threatened with destruction, and they became very happy once they were safe from all their enemies. Alternate translation: “Everything had changed for them. They had been deeply distressed because they were threatened with destruction. But they became very happy once they were safe from all their enemies.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 1010 | EST | 9 | 22 | nch1 | bita-humanbehavior | נֶהְפַּ֨ךְ לָהֶ֤ם מִיָּגוֹן֙ לְשִׂמְחָ֔ה | 1 | it had turned for them from sorrow into joy | **Turning** figuratively represents changing. Alternate translation: “they changed from being very sad to being joyful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 1011 | EST | 9 | 22 | aco4 | figs-abstractnouns | מִיָּגוֹן֙ לְשִׂמְחָ֔ה | 1 | from sorrow into joy | The abstract nouns **sorrow** and **joy** can be expressed with adjectives such as “distressed” and “happy.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 1012 | EST | 9 | 22 | j113 | לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת אוֹתָ֗ם יְמֵי֙ | 1 | in order to make them days of | “So Mordecai told them to observe those days with” | |
| 1013 | EST | 9 | 22 | j115 | figs-hendiadys | מִשְׁתֶּ֣ה וְשִׂמְחָ֔ה | 1 | feasting and rejoicing | As in verses 17, 18, and 19, this phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with “and.” The word “rejoicing” tells how the celebrating was to be done. Alternate translation: “joyful celebration” or “feasting joyfully” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 1014 | EST | 9 | 22 | aco5 | וּמִשְׁל֤וֹחַ מָנוֹת֙ אִ֣ישׁ לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ | 1 | and sending of gifts, a man to his friend | See how you translated this in verse 19. Review the notes there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “and by giving gifts to one another” | |
| 1015 | EST | 9 | 22 | j117 | figs-idiom | אִ֣ישׁ לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ | 1 | a man to his friend | Here “a man” means “a person.” The term “friend” would include family members and neighbors as well as social friends. Alternate translation: “to one another” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/gendernotations]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1016 | EST | 9 | 22 | aco6 | figs-symaction | וּמַתָּנ֖וֹת לָֽאֶבְיוֹנִֽים | 1 | and gifts to the needy | In this culture as in many others, helping the poor was also a way of acknowledging a special occasion. The idea was that no one should be miss out on the benefits of the wonderful thing that God had done. Alternate translation: “Mordecai also told them they should help the poor on those days.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) |
| 1017 | EST | 9 | 23 | aco7 | figs-explicit | וְקִבֵּל֙…אֲשֶׁר־כָּתַ֥ב מָרְדֳּכַ֖י אֲלֵיהֶֽם | 1 | And…accepted…what Mordecai had written to them | The implication seems to be that the Jews were glad to do what Mordecai had instructed, because they had already been doing it. You can add a word such as “readily” to indicate this. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 1018 | EST | 9 | 23 | aco8 | וְקִבֵּל֙ | 1 | And…accepted | “agreed” | |
| 1019 | EST | 9 | 23 | ib25 | figs-events | אֲשֶׁר־הֵחֵ֖לּוּ לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת | 1 | what they had begun to do | Alternate translation: “The Jews were already celebrating those days that way.” You can put this information first, to present the events in logical and chronological order. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 1020 | EST | 9 | 24 | j119 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּי֩ | 1 | For | This introduces the reason for the events previously described. The story will now summarize everything that happened previously. The Jews were to celebrate because they were able to fight back when Haman plotted to destroy all of them. Alternate translation: “They would celebrate these days to remember” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-grammar-connect-logoc-result]]) |
| 1021 | EST | 9 | 24 | j125 | figs-informremind | צֹרֵר֙ כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים | 1 | the adversary of all the Jews | This phrase gives clarifying information about Haman. Alternate translation: “the enemy of all the Jews” (See: Phrases that Inform or Remind) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 1022 | EST | 9 | 24 | aco9 | חָשַׁ֥ב עַל־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים לְאַבְּדָ֑ם | 1 | had plotted concerning the Jews to annihilate them | “had tried to destroy them” | |
| 1023 | EST | 9 | 24 | j127 | figs-hendiadys | לְהֻמָּ֖ם וּֽלְאַבְּדָֽם | 1 | to vex them and to destroy them | The terms **vex** and **destroy** mean basically the same thing. They are used together to emphasize the degree to which Haman’s deadly plans were distressing to the Jews. You can combine the terms. Alternate translation: “and destroy them completely” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]]) |
| 1024 | EST | 9 | 25 | m8x3 | figs-explicit | וּבְבֹאָהּ֮ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּלֶךְ֒ | 1 | But when she came before the face of the king | **She** means Esther. In this summary, many details are communicated implicitly. You can make them explicit. Alternate translation: “But Esther dared to come into the king’s presence without being summoned, and she won his favor.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 1025 | EST | 9 | 25 | j129 | bita-hq | לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּלֶךְ֒ | 1 | before the face of the king | Here **face** is a metonym meaning the presence of a person. This phrase means that Esther came into the king’s presence. Alternate translation: “into the king’s presence” or “before the king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 1026 | EST | 9 | 25 | acp1 | figs-explicit | אָמַ֣ר עִם־הַסֵּ֔פֶר | 1 | he said with the letter | Once again much of the information is implicit here. Alternate translation: “The king gave Mordecai the authority to send a letter throughout the empire saying that the Jews could defend themselves against their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 1027 | EST | 9 | 25 | y57b | figs-idiom | יָשׁ֞וּב מַחֲשַׁבְתּ֧וֹ הָרָעָ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־חָשַׁ֥ב עַל־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ | 1 | Let his evil plot that he plotted concerning the Jews return on his head | **His** and **he** refer to Haman. **Return on his head** is an idiom that means that what a person was planning to do to someone else happened to them instead. Alternate translation: “the wicked plan Haman developed against the Jews should be done to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1028 | EST | 9 | 25 | acp2 | figs-personification | וְתָל֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־בָּנָ֖יו עַל־הָעֵֽץ | 1 | and let them hang him and his sons on the tree | The letter did not actually say this. The story is summarizing the events in compressed form. It is speaking of the letter as if it were something that could take action and give commands like this. Alternate translation: “The king also ordered his servants to impale Haman on a wooden pole [or hang Haman on a gallows]. When the Jews in Susa killed his ten sons, the king had their bodies impaled [or hanged] as well.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) |
| 1029 | EST | 9 | 25 | j129 | bita-plants | הָעֵֽץ | 1 | the tree | See how you translated this term in 2:23 and its other occurrences. Review the explanation in the note to 2:23 if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “wooden pole” or “gallows.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) |
| 1030 | EST | 9 | 26 | j131 | grammar-connect-logic-result | עַל־כֵּ֡ן | 1 | Therefore | This introduces the reason why the Jews gave the name “Purim” to this celebration. Alternate translation: “For that reason” or “That is why” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 1031 | EST | 9 | 26 | acp3 | קָֽרְאוּ֩ לַיָּמִ֨ים הָאֵ֤לֶּה פוּרִים֙ | 1 | they called these days, “Purim” | “They” means the Jews. Alternate translation: “The Jews called these days Purim, like the word Pur” | |
| 1032 | EST | 9 | 26 | c1gi | translate-names | פוּרִים֙ | 1 | Purim | This is the name of the festival that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot to destroy and kill all the Jews in a single day. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 1033 | EST | 9 | 26 | buf1 | writing-background | עַל־שֵׁ֣ם הַפּ֔וּר | 1 | on account of the name of Pur | Alternate translation: “The Persian word for ‘lot’ is ‘Pur.’” This is information that the original audience needed to understand how this celebration got its name. You can put this first in the verse because it explains what comes next. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]]) |
| 1034 | EST | 9 | 26 | yq8m | figs-explicit | שֵׁ֣ם הַפּ֔וּר | 1 | the name of Pur. | It can be stated clearly what “Pur” means. Alternate translation: “the word Pur, which means ‘lot.’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 1035 | EST | 9 | 26 | j133 | grammar-connect-logic-result | עַל־כֵּ֕ן | 1 | Therefore | The story has just given the reason why the holiday is called Purim. Now it is going to give another reason. It will be explaining why the Jews added this holiday to their calendar, in addition to the festivals that were commanded in the Law of Moses. The next verse describes them adding the holiday. This verse gives the reasons why they did that. Alternate translation: “Because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 1036 | EST | 9 | 26 | acp4 | עַל־כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֖י הָאִגֶּ֣רֶת הַזֹּ֑את | 1 | on account of all the words of this letter | This is a reference to the letter that Mordecai wrote, as described in verses 20–22. Alternate translation: “Mordecai wrote to them to tell them to observe this holiday” | |
| 1037 | EST | 9 | 26 | acp5 | figs-parallelism | וּמָֽה־רָא֣וּ עַל־כָּ֔כָה וּמָ֥ה הִגִּ֖יעַ אֲלֵיהֶֽם | 1 | and what they had seen concerning this and what had come upon them | These two phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used to emphasize what a vivid experience it was to live through the events that this story describes. You can combine the phrases. Alternate translation: “what had happened to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 1038 | EST | 9 | 26 | acp6 | figs-explicit | וּמָֽה־רָא֣וּ עַל־כָּ֔כָה וּמָ֥ה הִגִּ֖יעַ אֲלֵיהֶֽם | 1 | and what they had seen concerning this and what had come upon them | These phrases say generally “this” and “what,” but they are referring to the specific events the story has related. You can describe these things specifically. Alternate translation: “Because the Jews had been able to destroy the enemies who had wanted to destroy them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 1039 | EST | 9 | 26 | acp7 | וּמָֽה־רָא֣וּ עַל־כָּ֔כָה וּמָ֥ה הִגִּ֖יעַ אֲלֵיהֶֽם | 1 | and what they had seen concerning this and what had come upon them | You can put this first, before the information about Mordecai’s letter, because it happened first. You can say “then” when you tell about the letter. | |
| 1040 | EST | 9 | 26 | j135 | figs-idiom | וּמָ֥ה הִגִּ֖יעַ אֲלֵיהֶֽם | 1 | and what had come upon them | This expression means “what had happened to them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1041 | EST | 9 | 27 | acp8 | קִיְּמ֣וּ וְקִבְּל֣וּ הַיְּהוּדִים֩ ׀ עֲלֵיהֶ֨ם ׀ וְעַל־זַרְעָ֜ם וְעַ֨ל כָּל־הַנִּלְוִ֤ים עֲלֵיהֶם֙…לִהְי֣וֹת עֹשִׂ֗ים אֵ֣ת שְׁנֵ֤י הַיָּמִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה | 1 | The Jews set up and accepted for themselves, and for their seed, and for all those who unite themselves to them…to be making these two days | “The Jews said that they would tell their descendants and those people who became Jews to be certain to celebrate this festival” | |
| 1042 | EST | 9 | 27 | acp9 | figs-doublet | קִיְּמ֣וּ וְקִבְּל֣וּ הַיְּהוּדִים֩ ׀ עֲלֵיהֶ֨ם ׀ וְעַל־זַרְעָ֜ם וְעַ֨ל כָּל־הַנִּלְוִ֤ים עֲלֵיהֶם֙…לִהְי֣וֹת עֹשִׂ֗ים אֵ֣ת שְׁנֵ֤י הַיָּמִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה | 1 | The Jews set up and accepted | “Set up” and “accepted” mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that the Jews definitely agreed to do this. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “agreed to establish” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 1043 | EST | 9 | 27 | j137 | bita-plants | וְעַל־זַרְעָ֜ם | 1 | and for their seed | As in 6:13, “seed” is a metaphor meaning “offspring.” Alternate translation: “and for their descendants” or “and for their offspring” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 1044 | EST | 9 | 27 | j139 | כָּל־הַנִּלְוִ֤ים עֲלֵיהֶם֙ | 1 | all those who unite themselves to them | “everyone who became part of the Jewish people” | |
| 1045 | EST | 9 | 27 | j141 | figs-idiom | וְלֹ֣א יַעֲב֔וֹר | 1 | and it will not pass away | This expression means that the Jews would never stop celebrating the feast of Purim every year. You can put this last, since it refers to something after everything else. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1046 | EST | 9 | 27 | acq0 | figs-events | לִהְי֣וֹת עֹשִׂ֗ים אֵ֣ת שְׁנֵ֤י הַיָּמִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה | 1 | to be making these two days | Alternate translation: “to establish those two days as holidays and to observe them.” To present things in chronological order, you can put this before the reference to Jewish descendants and converts to Judaism. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) |
| 1047 | EST | 9 | 27 | acq1 | כִּכְתָבָ֖ם | 1 | according to their writing | “in the way that Mordecai had told them to do” | |
| 1048 | EST | 9 | 27 | acq2 | וְכִזְמַנָּ֑ם | 1 | and according to their appointed time | This means the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, as specified in 9:21. Alternate translation: “on those specific days” | |
| 1049 | EST | 9 | 27 | j143 | figs-idiom | בְּכָל־שָׁנָ֖ה וְשָׁנָֽה | 1 | every year by year | This expression means “each and every year.” Alternate translation: “every single year” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1050 | EST | 9 | 28 | acq3 | grammar-connect-logic-result | וְהַיָּמִ֣ים הָ֠אֵלֶּה נִזְכָּרִ֨ים וְנַעֲשִׂ֜ים | 1 | So these days are remembered and are made | This gives the result of the reasons described in verses 26 and 27. Alternate translation: “And that is why” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 1051 | EST | 9 | 28 | acq4 | figs-doublet | וְהַיָּמִ֣ים הָ֠אֵלֶּה נִזְכָּרִ֨ים וְנַעֲשִׂ֜ים | 1 | So these days are remembered and are made | **Remembered** and **made** mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that the Jews have been faithful in doing this. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the general meaning by saying something like, “The Jews have celebrated these days.” Alternate translation: “They said that they would remember and celebrate on those two days.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 1052 | EST | 9 | 28 | hc8s | figs-activepassive | וְהַיָּמִ֣ים הָ֠אֵלֶּה נִזְכָּרִ֨ים וְנַעֲשִׂ֜ים | 1 | So these days are remembered and are made | This expression uses two passive forms, but you could say the same thing using active forms. Alternate translation: “The Jews were to celebrate and observe these days” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 1053 | EST | 9 | 28 | j145 | figs-idiom | בְּכָל־דּ֣וֹר וָד֗וֹר | 1 | in every generation by generation | This expression means “each and every generation.” Alternate translation: “in every single generation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1054 | EST | 9 | 28 | j147 | figs-idiom | מִשְׁפָּחָה֙ וּמִשְׁפָּחָ֔ה | 1 | family by family | This expression means “every family.” Alternate translation: “every Jewish family” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1055 | EST | 9 | 28 | acq5 | figs-merism | מְדִינָ֥ה וּמְדִינָ֖ה וְעִ֣יר וָעִ֑יר | 1 | province by province, and city by city | This could be a figure of speech that refers to something by speaking of two extreme parts of it in order to include everything in between those parts. Generally speaking, a province would be the largest division of the empire that would identify a person’s location, and a city would be the smallest. Particularly since the Jews continued to celebrate Purim after they were living in the Persian empire with its division into provinces, you might choose to express the meaning of this figure of speech. Alternate translation: “everywhere they have lived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 1056 | EST | 9 | 28 | j149 | figs-idiom | מְדִינָ֥ה וּמְדִינָ֖ה | 1 | province by province | This expression means “every province.” Alternate translation: “in every single province” (See: Idiom) |
| 1057 | EST | 9 | 28 | j151 | figs-idiom | וְעִ֣יר וָעִ֑יר | 1 | and city by city | This expression means “every city.” Alternate translation: “in every single city” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1058 | EST | 9 | 28 | j153 | figs-idiom | וִימֵ֞י הַפּוּרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה לֹ֤א יַֽעַבְרוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים וְזִכְרָ֖ם לֹא־יָס֥וּף מִזַּרְעָֽם | 1 | these days of Purim will not pass away from the midst of the Jews and their remembrance will not come to an end from their seed | This expression means that the Jews will never stop celebrating the feast of Purim every year. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1059 | EST | 9 | 28 | acq6 | figs-idiom | וִימֵ֞י הַפּוּרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה לֹ֤א יַֽעַבְרוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים וְזִכְרָ֖ם לֹא־יָס֥וּף מִזַּרְעָֽם | 1 | these days of Purim will not pass away | As in verse 27, this expression means that the Jews will never stop celebrating the feast of Purim. You can say this positively. Alternate translation: “will always observe the Festival of Purim faithfully” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1060 | EST | 9 | 28 | acq7 | מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים | 1 | from the midst of the Jews | “within the Jewish community” | |
| 1061 | EST | 9 | 28 | i2qk | וְזִכְרָ֖ם לֹא־יָס֥וּף | 1 | and their remembrance will not come to an end | “will always observe” | |
| 1062 | EST | 9 | 28 | j155 | bita-plants | מִזַּרְעָֽם | 1 | from their seed | As in verse 27, **seed** is a metaphor meaning “offspring.” Alternate translation: “and for their descendants” or “and for their offspring” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 1063 | EST | 9 | 29 | je8e | figs-informremind | בַת־אֲבִיחַ֛יִל | 1 | the daughter of Abihail | This information reminds the reader who Esther was. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 1064 | EST | 9 | 29 | cm8c | translate-names | אֲבִיחַ֛יִל | 1 | Abihail | This man was Esther’s father and Mordecai’s uncle. See how you translated his name in 2:15. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) |
| 1065 | EST | 9 | 29 | acq8 | הַיְּהוּדִ֖י | 1 | the Jew | This phrase gives clarifying information about Mordecai. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) | |
| 1066 | EST | 9 | 29 | acq9 | תִּכְתֹּב…אֶת־כָּל־תֹּ֑קֶף | 1 | wrote with all power | “Esther used her royal authority” or “Esther used the authority that she had as queen” | |
| 1067 | EST | 9 | 29 | ku7d | translate-numbers | לְקַיֵּ֗ם אֵ֣ת אִגֶּ֧רֶת הַפּוּרִ֛ים הַזֹּ֖את הַשֵּׁנִֽית | 1 | to set up this second letter of Purim | Alternate translation: “to write an additional letter about Purim” or “to confirm what Mordecai had written about Purim in the first letter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 1068 | EST | 9 | 30 | acr1 | figs-gendernotations | וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח סְפָרִ֜ים | 1 | he sent letters | While this says “he,” in context it refers to the letter that Esther and Mordecai wrote together. Alternate translation: “They sent copes of this second letter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]]) |
| 1069 | EST | 9 | 30 | acr2 | figs-parallelism | אֶל־כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֗ים אֶל־שֶׁ֨בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּמֵאָה֙ מְדִינָ֔ה מַלְכ֖וּת אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ | 1 | to all the Jews, to 127 provinces, the kingdom of Ahasuerus | These three phrases all mean the same thing. The repetition emphasizes that Esther and Mordecai sent this second letter out comprehensively throughout the empire. Alternate translation: “to all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Ahasuerus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 1070 | EST | 9 | 30 | acr3 | figs-metonymy | שֶׁ֨בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּמֵאָה֙ מְדִינָ֔ה | 1 | 127 provinces | The letter was not sent to the provinces as geographical territories, but to the Jews who lived in them. The Jews are being described by something associated with them, the places where they lived. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 1071 | EST | 9 | 30 | u389 | translate-numbers | שֶׁ֨בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּמֵאָה֙ מְדִינָ֔ה | 1 | 127 provinces | Alternate translation: “one hundred and twenty-seven provinces” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) |
| 1072 | EST | 9 | 30 | iaf7 | figs-abstractnouns | דִּבְרֵ֥י שָׁל֖וֹם וֶאֱמֶֽת | 1 | words of peace and truth | The abstract nouns “peace” and “truth” can be expressed with adjectives. Alternate translation: “wishing that the Jews would be safe and that people would be faithful to the Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 1073 | EST | 9 | 31 | acr4 | לְקַיֵּ֡ם אֵת־יְמֵי֩ הַפֻּרִ֨ים הָאֵ֜לֶּה בִּזְמַנֵּיהֶ֗ם כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ קִיַּ֨ם עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם מָרְדֳּכַ֤י הַיְּהוּדִי֙ וְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה | 1 | to set up these days of Purim at their appointed times according to what Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had set up for them | Alternate translation: “In this second letter, Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther confirmed that Purim should be celebrated on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar.” | |
| 1074 | EST | 9 | 31 | rgr9 | figs-informremind | הַיְּהוּדִי֙ | 1 | the Jew | This phrase gives clarifying information about Mordecai. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 1075 | EST | 9 | 31 | acr5 | figs-explicit | וְכַאֲשֶׁ֛ר קִיְּמ֥וּ עַל־נַפְשָׁ֖ם וְעַל־זַרְעָ֑ם דִּבְרֵ֥י הַצֹּמ֖וֹת וְזַעֲקָתָֽם | 1 | according to what they had set up concerning their lives and concerning their seed, to matters of the fasts and their outcry | This is referring to background information that the original audience would have known. Ever since the destruction of Jerusalem, the Jews had been fasting and mourning in the fifth month of the year to show their sorrow over what had happened. (The story refers to Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 2:6.) You can explain this in more detail. Alternate translation: “This would be in addition to the days of fasting and mourning that the Jews had established for themselves and their descendants to show their sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 1076 | EST | 9 | 31 | rl2s | bita-plants | וְעַל־זַרְעָ֑ם | 1 | and concerning their seed | Here **seed** is a metaphor meaning the offspring or descendants of the Jews. Alternate translation: “and for their descendants” or “and for their offspring” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 1077 | EST | 9 | 32 | acr6 | וּמַאֲמַ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֔ר קִיַּ֕ם דִּבְרֵ֥י הַפֻּרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה | 1 | And the decree of Esther set up these matters of Purim | “Esther also issued a decree establishing Purim as a holiday for the Jews” | |
| 1078 | EST | 9 | 32 | acr7 | figs-activepassive | וְנִכְתָּ֖ב בַּסֵּֽפֶר | 1 | and it was written in the book | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “and the royal scribes made an official record of it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 1079 | EST | 10 | intro | h4m4 | 0 | # Esther 10 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Mordecai’s new position<br><br>Through the power of Yahweh, Mordecai was given a new position in the Persian Empire. Mordecai was now the second in command in the kingdom of Persia and he used his position to help other Jews.<br> | |||
| 1080 | EST | 10 | 1 | j157 | writing-newevent | וַיָּשֶׂם֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֧וֹשׁ | 1 | Then the king Ahasuerus set | This introduces a new event in the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) |
| 1081 | EST | 10 | 1 | b5ht | וַיָּשֶׂם֩…מַ֛ס | 1 | Then…set a tribute | “Then…imposed a tax” | |
| 1082 | EST | 10 | 1 | acr8 | figs-explicit | עַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְאִיֵּ֥י הַיָּֽם | 1 | on the land and the islands of the sea | The purpose of this chapter is to describe the greatness of Mordecai. It does that by showing that he was second in command to a very powerful emperor. The phrase “the islands of the sea” likely refers to the fact that the Persian kings had conquered territories reaching all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “which reached all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) |
| 1083 | EST | 10 | 1 | acr9 | figs-metonymy | עַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְאִיֵּ֥י הַיָּֽם | 1 | on the land and the islands of the sea | These geographic features were not expected to pay the tax. The land and coastlands represent the people living there. The story is describing those people figuratively by reference to something associated with them, the places where they live. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) |
| 1084 | EST | 10 | 1 | acs0 | figs-merism | עַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְאִיֵּ֥י הַיָּֽם | 1 | on the land and the islands of the sea | This is likely a figure of speech that refers to something by speaking of two extreme parts of it in order to include everything in between. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the general meaning by saying something like “everyone throughout his empire.” Alternate translation: “all the people in the empire … even the people who lived on the islands in the Mediterranean Sea” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) |
| 1085 | EST | 10 | 2 | acs1 | figs-doublet | וְכָל־מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה תָקְפּוֹ֙ וּגְב֣וּרָת֔וֹ | 1 | And all the deeds of his power and his might | **Power** and **might** mean essentially the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how powerful King Ahasuerus was. Alternate translation: “all that he achieved because of how powerful and mighty he was” or “all the great things that he did because of his power and might” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) |
| 1086 | EST | 10 | 2 | p98n | figs-abstractnouns | תָקְפּוֹ֙ וּגְב֣וּרָת֔וֹ | 1 | his power and his might | The abstract nouns “power” and “might” can be translated with an adjective. Alternate translation: “his great power” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 1087 | EST | 10 | 2 | k7tc | figs-metaphor | וּפָרָשַׁת֙ | 1 | with the full account of | “They also wrote a full account” |
| 1088 | EST | 10 | 2 | acs2 | גְּדֻלַּ֣ת מָרְדֳּכַ֔י | 1 | the greatness of Mordecai to which the king had made him great | Alternate translation: “of how the King had made it known that Mordecai was great” or “of how the king had honored Mordecai for the great things he had done” | |
| 1089 | EST | 10 | 2 | acs3 | גִּדְּל֖וֹ | 1 | made him great | See how you translated this phrase in 3:1 and 5:11. Alternate translation: “promoted him” | |
| 1090 | EST | 10 | 2 | acs4 | figs-rquestion | הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֨פֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֔ים לְמַלְכֵ֖י מָדַ֥י וּפָרָֽס | 1 | are they not written in the book of the events of days of the kings of Persia and Media? | This is actually a statement. The question form is used to emphasize the certainty of the statement. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]]) |
| 1091 | EST | 10 | 2 | acs5 | figs-activepassive | הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים | 1 | are they not written…? | You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “The king’s scribes made a record in …” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) |
| 1092 | EST | 10 | 2 | acs6 | הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים | 1 | are they not written…? | You can put this first in the verse because it comes first logically. | |
| 1093 | EST | 10 | 2 | acs7 | figs-idiom | סֵ֨פֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֔ים לְמַלְכֵ֖י מָדַ֥י וּפָרָֽס | 1 | the book of the events of days for the kings of Media and Persia | See how you translated this in 2:23. Alternate translation: “the royal chronicles of Media and Persia” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1094 | EST | 10 | 3 | j159 | grammar-connect-logic-result | כִּ֣י | 1 | For | This word indicates that this verse will give the reason why the scribes made a record about Mordecai. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]]) |
| 1095 | EST | 10 | 3 | acs8 | figs-informremind | הַיְּהוּדִ֗י | 1 | the Jew | This phrase gives clarifying information about Mordecai. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-informremind]]) |
| 1096 | EST | 10 | 3 | acs9 | מִשְׁנֶה֙ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ | 1 | was second to the King Ahasuerus | “was the most important person after King Ahasuerus” | |
| 1097 | EST | 10 | 3 | act0 | וְגָדוֹל֙ לַיְּהוּדִ֔ים | 1 | and great among the Jews | “and a leader among his own people” | |
| 1098 | EST | 10 | 3 | act1 | וְרָצ֖וּי לְרֹ֣ב אֶחָ֑יו | 1 | favored by the multitude of his brothers | “All of his fellow Jews respected him” | |
| 1099 | EST | 10 | 3 | iui7 | figs-gendernotations | אֶחָ֑יו | 1 | his brothers | Here **brothers** is a figurative way of describing fellow members of the same people group. Alternate translation: “fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-bita-hq]) |
| 1100 | EST | 10 | 3 | act2 | figs-parallelism | דֹּרֵ֥שׁ טוֹב֙ לְעַמּ֔וֹ וְדֹבֵ֥ר שָׁל֖וֹם לְכָל־זַרְעֽוֹ | 1 | seeking good for his people and speaking peace to all its seed | These two phrases basically mean the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize how hard Mordecai worked for the good of his people. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases and say something like, “He worked hard so his people and their descendants would prosper.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) |
| 1101 | EST | 10 | 3 | act3 | figs-abstractnouns | דֹּרֵ֥שׁ טוֹב֙ לְעַמּ֔וֹ וְדֹבֵ֥ר שָׁל֖וֹם לְכָל־זַרְעֽוֹ | 1 | seeking good for his people and speaking peace to all its seed | The abstract nouns **good** and **peace** refer in this context to prosperity and security. You could translate these ideas with verbs, for example, “He worked hard to make sure that his people would prosper and their descendants would be secure.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) |
| 1102 | EST | 10 | 3 | wte9 | bita-humanbehavior | דֹּרֵ֥שׁ טוֹב֙ לְעַמּ֔וֹ | 1 | seeking good for his people | **Seeking** is a figurative way to describe actively trying to do something or work hard for something. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-humanbehavior]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |
| 1103 | EST | 10 | 3 | s8f8 | figs-idiom | וְדֹבֵ֥ר שָׁל֖וֹם לְכָל־זַרְעֽוֹ | 1 | and speaking peace to all its seed | **Speaking peace** is a figurative way of describing actions that benefit the general welfare of others. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) |
| 1104 | EST | 10 | 3 | j161 | bita-plants | לְכָל־זַרְעֽוֹ | 1 | to all its seed | Here **seed** figuratively means “descendants.” Even if you combine the two parallel phrases, you can still convey the idea of “down through the generations” with a work such as “always.” Alternate translation: “and for their descendants” or “and for their offspring” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) |