Who are Esther and Mordecai in this passage?

Esther is a young Jewish woman living in the Persian capital. She lost her parents and was brought up by her cousin Mordecai as his own daughter. In this passage she is taken into the king’s house with many other young women so the king can choose a new queen. Mordecai is a Jew who cares deeply for her. He has raised her, gives her counsel about hiding her people, and keeps checking on her well-being at the court. Their close family bond shapes how both of them act in this story.

Why did Esther hide her people and family background?

Esther did not tell anyone that she was a Jew or who her family was because Mordecai had charged her not to show it. The passage does not give a long explanation, but it suggests he feared she might be despised or badly treated if her background were known, or even refused by the king. By staying quiet, she could still keep God’s law in private. Her obedience shows her respect for Mordecai’s guidance and her willingness to trust his judgment in a dangerous and uncertain setting.

What was the house of the women and the second house of the women?

The house of the women was a part of the royal palace where the young virgins were kept and prepared before they met the king. Hegai, a royal official, was in charge there and gave them food, beauty treatments, and servants. After each woman spent a night with the king, she did not go back to the first house. She was moved to the second house of the women, where the concubines lived under the care of another official named Shaashgaz. She stayed there unless the king was pleased with her and called her by name again.

Why did Mordecai walk every day before the women’s court?

Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house to know how Esther was doing and what would happen to her. Even though she had been taken away into the king’s house, he did not stop caring for her like a father. He wanted news about her health, how she was being treated, and whether she had gone in to the king yet. His daily walk shows steady, anxious love in a hard situation and reminds us that God often works through ordinary, faithful care in families.

What were the twelve months of purification for the women?

Before any young woman could go in to the king, she had to complete twelve months of preparation. The passage explains that this was the usual way of the women in that court. It was divided into six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet perfumes and other things for cleansing. These treatments softened the skin, removed bad smells, and made them look and smell pleasant. It also made it clear over time that none of them was pregnant by another man before coming to the king, and it showed the wealth and showy customs of the Persian court.

What does it mean that Esther required nothing but what Hegai appointed?

When Esther’s turn came to go in to the king, she could have asked for whatever ornaments or extra things she wanted. Instead, she asked for nothing except what Hegai, the king’s chamberlain over the women, chose for her. This shows her humility and trust. She did not push herself forward or try to impress the king with fancy display. She accepted the guidance of the one who knew the king’s tastes best. Her simple, modest approach fit with her character, and she gained favor with everyone who saw her.

How did Esther obtain favour in the sight of all who saw her?

The passage says Esther pleased Hegai at once, so he gave her the best place in the women’s house and good care. Later it says she obtained favor in the sight of all who looked at her. This included her outward beauty, but also the way she carried herself. Her modesty, quiet spirit, and willingness to listen made people well disposed toward her. In this way, God’s hidden care can be seen: an orphaned Jewish girl, far from home and under pressure, is given kindness by those around her and is lifted up in the royal court.

What does this passage show about God’s providence?

God is not named in this passage, yet his care can be seen in the details. Esther, an orphan, is not left alone but raised by Mordecai, who watches over her even when she is taken into the king’s house. She is given special favor with Hegai, placed in the best part of the women’s house, and later gains favor with all who see her. In a court driven by show and desire, God is quietly arranging events so that this young Jewish woman will be in a place where she can later help her people.

Why did the women only return to the king if he called them by name?

After a woman spent a night with the king, she was moved to the second house of the women, with the concubines. She would not see the king again unless he delighted in her and called her by name. This shows how the king treated these women: they were shut away and could not choose another husband. Their future depended on whether the king chose to remember them. It gives a sober picture of royal power in that time and how little control these women had over their own lives.

Esth.2.8

Esther 2:8

King James Version (KJV)

¶ So 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.

Chapter:

Context:

Esther Finds Favor

Sub Context:

Esther Finds Favor

¶ So 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.

And 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.

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

¶ Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.

In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

¶ 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 favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.