Esther 2 8

Esther 2:8 kjv

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.

Esther 2:8 nkjv

So it was, when the king's command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king's palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women.

Esther 2:8 niv

When the king's order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king's palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem.

Esther 2:8 esv

So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women.

Esther 2:8 nlt

As a result of the king's decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the king's harem at the fortress of Susa and placed in Hegai's care.

Esther 2 verses

Esther 2 8 Meaning

Esther 2:8 describes the direct consequence of King Ahasuerus's decree to gather young virgins from across his kingdom. It specifically records that when this royal order was widely announced, many eligible young women were collected and brought to the royal city of Susa. Among them, Esther, a seemingly ordinary Jewish orphan, was also taken into the king's private residence, specifically placed under the supervision of Hegai, the chief eunuch responsible for the royal harem and the care of the women. This verse marks the crucial moment of Esther's entrance into the royal palace, setting the stage for God's divine purpose to unfold.

Esther 2 8 Context

Esther chapter 2 opens after King Ahasuerus has deposed Queen Vashti for her disobedience (Esth 1:12-19). The king, needing a new queen, accepts the counsel of his servants (Esth 2:2-4) to gather beautiful virgins from all provinces and bring them to the royal palace in Susa for a year-long beauty treatment before presentation to him. This verse, Esther 2:8, specifically details the initiation of this grand "beauty contest" and pinpoints Esther's unwilling yet divinely orchestrated entrance into the process. The immediate context shows the human decree setting the scene, but the larger biblical narrative unveils God's hand moving the pieces for the deliverance of His people. Historically, the Persian Empire, under the Achaemenid dynasty, was a vast, powerful empire, and Susa served as one of its prominent capital cities. Royal harems and the use of eunuchs as trusted officials in charge of the women were common practices in such imperial courts.

Esther 2 8 Word analysis

• So it was (וַיְהִי - va'yhi): A common Hebrew narrative transitional phrase, often used to introduce a significant event or shift in the story. It indicates that the subsequent action is a direct outcome of what was previously stated.
• when the king's decree (בְּהִשָּׁמַע דְּבַר הַמֶּלֶךְ - b'hishama davar ha'melekh):
  • Decree (דְּבַר - davar): Literally "word" or "matter." Here, it signifies a command, order, or royal proclamation, underscoring the king's ultimate authority.
• and his edict (וְדָתוֹ - v'dato):
  • Edict (דָּתוֹ - dato): From the Persian-derived word dath, meaning law or decree. Its use here highlights the formality and binding nature of the king's command. This word reflects the multicultural environment of the Persian court and is a sign of authenticity for the book.
• was proclaimed (נִשְׁמָע - nish'ma): Passive voice of "to hear." Implies the widespread and public nature of the announcement, indicating it was heard and known throughout the kingdom.
• many young women (נְעָרוֹת רַבּוֹת - ne'arot rabbot):
  • Young women (נְעָרוֹת - ne'arot): Refers to young, marriageable virgins, typically taken from their homes.
  • Many (רַבּוֹת - rabbot): Emphasizes the sheer number and scale of the selection process.
• were gathered (מִתְקַבְּצוֹת - mitqabtsot): Reflects a collection or assembling of the women, either by their own submission to the decree or through official collection. It portrays an extensive and systematic roundup.
• to the citadel of Susa (אֶל-שׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה - el Shushan ha'birah):
  • Susa (שׁוּשַׁן - Shushan): One of the Persian capital cities.
  • Citadel (הַבִּירָה - ha'birah): Signifies the fortified part of the city where the royal palace was located, highlighting its importance as the center of power.
• under the hand of Hegai (אֶל-יַד הֵגָי - el yad Hegai):
  • Under the hand (אֶל-יַד - el yad): Idiomatic expression meaning "under the authority of," "in the care of," or "in the charge of."
  • Hegai (הֵגָי - Hegai): The name of the royal eunuch designated as the keeper of the women (saris). Eunuchs were trusted palace officials in charge of private royal affairs, often serving as loyal servants since they posed no dynastic threat.
• Esther also was taken (וַתִּלָּקַח גַּם-אֶסְתֵּר - va'tilakach gam-Esther):
  • Was taken (וַתִּלָּקַח - va'tilakach): Passive voice, indicating that Esther did not volunteer but was brought by others, likely by force or compulsion under the king's edict.
  • Also (גַּם - gam): Implies she was one among the many, yet highlights her specific inclusion as central to the narrative.
• to the king's house (אֶל-בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ - el beit ha'melekh): Refers to the royal palace, specifically the women's quarters (the harem) where the prospective queens resided and underwent their preparations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "When the king's decree and his edict was proclaimed...": Emphasizes the official, mandatory, and widespread nature of the royal command. The king's word carries ultimate power, leaving no room for refusal. This is the legal backdrop to all that follows.
• "...many young women were gathered to the citadel of Susa...": Describes the mass recruitment for the royal harem, highlighting the immense pool from which a new queen would be chosen. It sets the grand stage for the selection process in the very heart of Persian power.
• "...and Esther also was taken to the king's house, under the hand of Hegai, keeper of the women.": This pivotal phrase details Esther's personal entrance into this forced competition. It highlights her non-volitional participation ("was taken") and establishes her immediate custodian, Hegai, who would play a key role in her early preparation within the palace, hinting at divine orchestration even amidst the arbitrary human system.

Esther 2 8 Bonus section

The Book of Esther never mentions God directly, yet His hand is evident throughout. Esther 2:8 exemplifies this; the human decree is explicit, but the underlying reason for Esther's specific "taking" is left to the reader's understanding of God's sovereignty. Hegai, a eunuch, signifies the highly regimented and somewhat isolating life within the royal harem. His role was crucial not only for managing the women but also for potentially influencing the king's choice, providing a channel for God's favor to manifest through human agents. The practice of gathering virgins from across the empire reflects the immense power and wealth of the Persian king, capable of commanding vast human resources for his personal desires. This initial subjugation of Esther to a system, not of her choosing, prepares her for a greater calling, foreshadowing how God can place His people in strategic, even difficult, positions for the sake of His greater plan.

Esther 2 8 Commentary

Esther 2:8 is a seemingly straightforward narrative account, yet it carries profound theological significance despite the absence of God's name in the Book of Esther. The phrase "So it was" implies that events unfold according to a pre-established flow, a subtle hint at divine superintendence. Esther's forced entry into the king's palace ("was taken") highlights her vulnerability and lack of personal choice in the matter. This contrasts sharply with Queen Vashti's ability to refuse the king's summons in chapter 1. Esther is depicted as a passive participant, moved by forces beyond her control.

Her placement under Hegai's care is significant. As the chief eunuch responsible for the women, Hegai possessed considerable influence over the lives and presentation of these prospective queens. His position provided the access and context through which Esther could eventually gain favor. The verse thus sets in motion the initial phase of God's intricate plan for the deliverance of His people. It reveals how God can work through the seemingly mundane, secular, and even pagan institutions—like a beauty contest in a heathen court—to advance His ultimate redemptive purposes. Esther's journey from a young, unprivileged Jewish orphan to potentially becoming a queen is initiated not by human ambition, but by the relentless sweep of royal decrees and, ultimately, divine providence.