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The Greek Esther Transmission Note
This note is not part of Esther’s story events. It is a brief editorial colophon attached to the Greek form of Esther, recording who brought a letter of Purim and who was said to have interpreted it.
Understanding the passage
Understanding this record
The single verse names a year in the reign of Ptolemeus and Cleopatra, identifies Dositheus and his son Ptolemeus, says they brought this letter of Purim, calls it authentic according to their claim, and names Lysimachus in Jerusalem as the interpreter. It functions like a transmission note rather than a narrative scene.
Esther (Greek) 10:14Main takeaway
This Greek Esther note focuses on the reported delivery and interpretation of a letter of Purim, so readers should treat it as an editorial note about the text’s transmission.
Explore the record
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A dated noteThe verse begins by dating the note: “In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemeus and Cleopatra”.
Explanation
The verse begins by dating the note: “In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemeus and Cleopatra”. That gives the setting for the record itself. The verse does not explain more about their reign here, so the main point is simply that this note is attached to a particular year.
02The people namedSeveral people are listed carefully. Dositheus is described as one “who said he was a priest and Levite”, and Ptolemeus is named as his son.
Explanation
Several people are listed carefully. Dositheus is described as one “who said he was a priest and Levite”, and Ptolemeus is named as his son. The wording reports Dositheus’s own claim, rather than proving it within this verse. The note is interested in identifying who brought the material.
03What they broughtThe note says Dositheus and his son “brought this letter of Purim”. That means the verse is pointing to a written document connected with Purim.
Explanation
The note says Dositheus and his son “brought this letter of Purim”. That means the verse is pointing to a written document connected with Purim. It also says “they said” it was authentic. The claim of authenticity is reported, but this short note does not add further argument or detail.
04Who interpreted itThe final part names “Lysimachus the son of Ptolemeus, who was in Jerusalem” and says he “had interpreted” it.
Explanation
The final part names “Lysimachus the son of Ptolemeus, who was in Jerusalem” and says he “had interpreted” it. In this note, interpretation is linked with a named person and place. That makes the verse read like a colophon or editorial record, not like part of the festival story itself.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which details in the verse show that this is an editorial note rather than a story scene?
Look for the dating formula, the list of names, the mention of bringing a letter, and the statement about interpretation.
02What does the phrase “they said was authentic” tell us about how the note presents the letter?
Notice that the verse reports a claim about authenticity instead of giving a long defence of it.
03Why is it important that Lysimachus is named as the one who interpreted it and that he was “in Jerusalem”?
Consider how the note records specific people and place details connected with the text’s transmission.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Esther (Greek) 10:14
14In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemeus and Cleopatra, Dositheus, who said he was a priest and Levite, and Ptolemeus his son brought this letter of Purim, which they said was authentic, and that Lysimachus the son of Ptolemeus, who was in Jerusalem, had interpreted.]