Esther 2:8

8 So it happened, when the king's mitzvah and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Ester was taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

Esther 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 2:8

So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and decree was
heard
In the several provinces of his kingdom:

and when many maidens were gathered unto Shushan the palace, to the
custody of Hegai;
Josephus ^F15 says, there were gathered to the number of four hundred:

that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of
Hegai, the keeper of the women:
by force, as Aben Ezra and the former Targum, and so the word is sometimes used.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Ibid. (Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 2.)

Esther 2:8 In-Context

6 who had been carried away from Yerushalayim with the captives who had been carried away with Yekhonyah king of Yehudah, whom Nevukhadnetztzar the king of Bavel had carried away.

7 He brought up Hadassah, who is, Ester, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordekhai took her for his own daughter.

8 So it happened, when the king's mitzvah and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Ester was taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

9 The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her things for her purification, with her portions, and the seven maidens who were meet to be given her out of the king's house: and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women.

10 Ester had not made known her people nor her relatives; for Mordekhai had charged her that she should not make it known.