Esther 2:9
What does Esther 2:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:9 means
Esther quickly gains Hegai’s approval and special kindness. He accelerates her preparations, provides choice provisions, assigns seven suitable maidens from the king’s house, and moves her to the best part of the women’s quarters. The repeated theme of favor signals God’s hidden hand. In a system driven by beauty and rank, Esther stands out not only for appearance but for winsomeness and wisdom. Her advancement is not yet before the king, but within the harem’s hierarchy she rises. Small providences—extra care, better placement—become stepping-stones to larger roles. Those who walk humbly often find doors opened by others’ goodwill, even in unlikely places.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he was pleased with the girl and was kind to her; and he quickly gave her what was needed for making her clean, and the things which were hers by right, and seven servant-girls who were to be hers from the king's house: and he had her and her servant-girls moved to the best place in the women's part of the house.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and 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 <FI>place in<Fi> the house of the women.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And she pleased him, and found favour in his sight. And he commanded the eunuch to hasten the women's ornaments, and to deliver to her her part, and seven of the most beautiful maidens of the king's house, and to adorn and deck out both her and her waiting maids.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the maiden pleased him, and obtained favour before him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, and her portions, and the seven maidens selected to be given her, out of the king's house; and he removed her and her maids to the best [place] of the house of the women.
Context
Having entered the women’s house, Esther’s status improves at once. Verse 9’s details about Hegai’s favor prepare for verse 15, where she trusts his counsel before meeting the king. Verses 10–11 will emphasize secrecy and Mordecai’s vigilance, balancing the favor she receives with caution. The narrative shows a pattern: God grants favor, yet prudence and connection to Mordecai remain essential.
v.8So 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.
v.9This passage
v.10Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred; for Mordecai had charged her that she should not make it known.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 8:50
and forgive thy people who have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee; and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them
- Acts 7:10
and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
- Esther 2:12
Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women twelve months (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with the things for the purifying of the women),
- Ezra 7:6
this Ezra went up from Babylon. And he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which Jehovah, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of Jehovah his God upon him.
- Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- 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;