Esther 2:8
What does Esther 2:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:8 means
The king’s decree gathers many maidens to Shushan under Hegai’s oversight, and Esther is included among them. The wording suggests she is taken rather than volunteering, emphasizing her vulnerability under imperial authority. Yet the very structures that seem to erase her agency will become the channels through which she gains influence. This verse moves Esther from private life into the public stage of the empire, from Mordecai’s home to the house of the women. It is a turning point: an orphaned exile is placed, by forces beyond her control, into proximity with the throne where God will use her for the good of His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So 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 taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So 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 taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So when the order made by the king was publicly given out, and a number of girls had been placed in the care of Hegai in the king's house in Shushan, Esther was taken into the king's house and put in the care of Hegai, the keeper of the women.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And 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,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when the king's ordinance was noised abroad, and according to his commandment many beautiful virgins were brought to Susan, and were delivered to Egeus the eunuch: Esther also among the rest of the maidens was delivered to him to be kept in the number of the women.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the fortress, unto the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was brought into the king's house, unto the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Context
Following Esther’s introduction, the general plan of verses 2–4 now sweeps her up. Verse 8 brings her into the palace and under Hegai’s care, which will matter immediately in verse 9 when she finds favor. Verses 10–11 will show that, even within the court, Mordecai’s guidance remains active. The narrative shifts from background to action as Esther begins the process that may lead to queenship.
v.7And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, 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, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
v.8This passage
v.9And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 2:3
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 Hegai the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them;
- Esther 2:15
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.