King James Version

What Does Esther 2:14 Mean?

Esther 2:14 in the King James Version says “In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz,...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Esther 2:14 · KJV

Context

12

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;)

13

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.

14

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.

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

16

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse describes the permanent consequence of that single night with the king. Each maiden "went in the evening" and "on the morrow"—the next morning—"returned into the second house," permanently reassigned to Shaashgaz's custody as a concubine. The phrase "she came in unto the king no more" emphasizes finality: one night determined her entire future. Unless the king specifically "delighted in her" and "called by name," she would spend the rest of her life in virtual widowhood—technically the king's wife but never seeing him again. This demonstrates the exploitative nature of the system: hundreds of young women conscripted, used once, then permanently sequestered. God's providence operated within and despite this unjust system.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The "second house of the women" distinguished concubines (who had been with the king once) from virgins (awaiting their turn). Shaashgaz managed the concubines' quarters—a separate administrative structure from Hegai's virgin quarters. Archaeological evidence confirms Persian palaces had multiple women's facilities accommodating different categories and statuses. Being called "by name" signified personal recognition and favor. Most concubines would never be summoned again, living in comfortable but restricted circumstances—provided for materially but denied freedom, future marriage, or meaningful purpose. The system benefited the king's pleasure while discarding hundreds of lives. This background makes Esther's selection as queen even more significant—she escaped permanent concubinage.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers respond when God's providence operates within deeply unjust systems—neither endorsing the injustice nor denying God's sovereignty?
  2. What does this passage teach about the permanent consequences of single moments and the importance of wisdom in critical opportunities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
בָּעֶ֣רֶב׀1 of 29

“In the evening”

H6153

dusk

הִ֣יא2 of 29
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

תָב֥וֹא3 of 29

“she came in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וּ֠בַבֹּקֶר4 of 29

“and on the morrow”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

הִ֣יא5 of 29
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

שָׁבָ֞ה6 of 29

“she returned”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל7 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֤ית8 of 29

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַנָּשִׁים֙9 of 29

“of the women”

H802

a woman

שֵׁנִ֔י10 of 29

“into the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

אֶל11 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יַ֧ד12 of 29

“to the custody”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

שַֽׁעֲשְׁגַ֛ז13 of 29

“of Shaashgaz”

H8190

shaashgaz, a eunuch of xerxes

סְרִ֥יס14 of 29

“chamberlain”

H5631

a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ15 of 29

“no more except the king”

H4428

a king

שֹׁמֵ֣ר16 of 29

“which kept”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁ֑ים17 of 29

“the concubines”

H6370

a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour

לֹֽא18 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תָב֥וֹא19 of 29

“she came in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עוֹד֙20 of 29
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

אֶל21 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ22 of 29

“no more except the king”

H4428

a king

כִּ֣י23 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם24 of 29
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

חָפֵ֥ץ25 of 29

“delighted”

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

בָּ֛הּ26 of 29
H0
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ27 of 29

“no more except the king”

H4428

a king

וְנִקְרְאָ֥ה28 of 29

“in her and that she were called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בְשֵֽׁם׃29 of 29

“by name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 2:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 2:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 4:11Genesis 34:19Isaiah 43:1Isaiah 62:4-5Deuteronomy 21:14Isaiah 45:4

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