Esther 2:8

And when the commandment of the king was oft published, and by his behest many fair virgins were brought to Susa, and were betaken to Hegai, the honest servant and chaste (or the honest and chaste servant), also Esther among other damsels was betaken to him, that she should be kept in the number of those women. (And after the king’s command was widely published, and by his order many beautiful virgins were brought to Susa, and taken to Hegai, the eunuch, also Esther, among other young women, was brought to him, to be kept in his care along with those other women.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

In Context

7the which Mordecai was the nourisher of Hadassah, the daughter of his brother, which daughter was called Esther by another name, and she had lost both (her) father and mother; and she was full fair, and seemly of face; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her to him, and he made her his daughter. (and this (Mordecai) was the foster-father of Hadassah, his uncle’s daughter, who was called Esther by another name, and who had lost both her father and her mother; (and she was) very beautiful, and comely of face; and after the death of her father and her mother, Mordecai took her unto himself, and made her his daughter.)

9And she pleased him, and found grace in his sight, so that he hasted to take to her the ornament (s) of women, and he betook to Esther her parts of all (the) things needful to her, and (also) seven (of) the fairest damsels of the king’s house; and Hegai adorned and arrayed both her and those damsels following her feet. (And Esther pleased, or impressed, Hegai, and she found favour before him, so that he hastened to give to her women’s ornaments, or adornments, and anything else that she needed, as well as seven of the most beautiful young women of the king’s house; and so Hegai adorned and arrayed both her, and those young women who followed her feet, that is, who served her.)

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Cross References

Esther 2:3and be there men sent forth, which should behold by all provinces damsels (who be) fair and virgins; and bring they them to the city of Susa, and betake they them into the house of women, under the keeping of Hegai, the honest servant and chaste (or the honest and chaste servant), the which is the sovereign and keeper of the king’s women; and take (to) those damsels ornament (s) of women, and other things needful to their uses. (and let men be sent forth, who shall look through all the provinces for these beautiful young virgins; and then bring they them to the capital city of Susa, and take they (them) to the house for the women, under the keeping of Hegai, the eunuch, who is the overseer and the keeper of the king’s women; and give he to those young women women’s ornaments, (or adornments), and the other things that they need.)

Matthew Henry on Esther 2:2-21

Esther's Advancement; Esther Chosen Queen. ( b. c. 514.) 1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of… Read the whole commentary →

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