Esther 2:5-9

5 Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish,

6 who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin^[a] king of Judah.

7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

8 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.

9 She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.

Esther 2:5-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ESTHER 2

By the advice of the ministers of King Ahasuerus, fair virgins were sought for throughout his dominions, and brought to his chamberlain, the keeper of the women, among whom was Esther, a Jewish virgin, Es 2:1-8, who found favour with the chamberlain, and afterwards with the king, who made her queen instead of Vashti, and a feast on that account, Es 2:9-18. Mordecai, to whom Esther was related, and according to whose advice she acted, sitting in the king's gate, discovered a conspiracy against the king, which he now made known to Esther, Es 2:19-23.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Samuel 9:1; Esther 3:2
• 2. S 2 Kings 24:6,15; 2 Chronicles 36:10,20
• 3. Daniel 1:1-5; Daniel 5:13
• 4. Genesis 41:45
• 5. S Genesis 39:6
• 6. ver 3,15; Nehemiah 1:1; Esther 1:2; Daniel 8:2
• 7. S Genesis 39:21
• 8. ver 3,12; S Genesis 37:3; 1 Samuel 9:22-24; S 2 Kings 25:30; Esther 9:19; Ezekiel 16:9-13; Daniel 1:5

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "Jeconiah," a variant of "Jehoiachin"