Esther 2:8

8 And it cometh to pass, in the word of the king, even his law, being heard, and in many young women being gathered unto Shushan the palace, unto the hand of Hegai, that Esther is taken unto the house of the king, unto the hand 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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Esther 2:8 In-Context

6 who had been removed from Jerusalem with the removal that was removed with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed --

7 and he is supporting Hadassah -- she [is] Esther -- daughter of his uncle, for she hath neither father nor mother, and the young woman [is] of fair form, and of good appearance, and at the death of her father and her mother hath Mordecai taken her to him for a daughter.

8 And it cometh to pass, in the word of the king, even his law, being heard, and in many young women being gathered unto Shushan the palace, unto the hand of Hegai, that Esther is taken unto the house of the king, unto the hand of Hegai, keeper of the women,

9 and the young woman is good in his eyes, and she receiveth kindness before him, and he hasteneth her purifications and her portions -- to give to her, and the seven young women who are provided -- to give to her, from the house of the king, and he changeth her and her young women to a good [place in] the house of the women.

10 Esther hath not declared her people, and her kindred, for Mordecai hath laid a charge on her that she doth not declare [it];