King James Version

What Does Esther 2:15 Mean?

Esther 2:15 in the King James Version says “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come... — study this verse from Esther chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Esther 2:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. favour: or, kindness in his: Heb. before him


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The formal reintroduction—"Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai"—reminds readers of her identity and Mordecai's adoptive role before her crucial encounter. Esther's choice to "require nothing" except what Hegai appointed demonstrates remarkable humility and wisdom. While other candidates likely requested elaborate jewelry and luxury items, Esther trusted expert counsel over personal judgment. This simplicity proved strategic: Hegai knew the king's preferences better than the candidates did. Esther's trust in wise counsel reflects spiritual wisdom—dependence on God's providence through appointed means rather than self-reliant manipulation. The result: "Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her"—not just the king, but everyone. This universal favor signals divine blessing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Hegai's expertise came from years managing the king's women and observing his preferences. His advice would have been invaluable—he knew what genuinely appealed to Ahasuerus versus what candidates assumed would appeal. Esther's trust in his counsel demonstrated both humility (not presuming she knew better) and wisdom (recognizing expertise). The statement that she found favor with "all them that looked upon her" suggests her appeal transcended mere physical beauty—her character, demeanor, and bearing impressed everyone. This detail also indicates that many people witnessed her selection process, making her eventual queenship more credible and accepted. The universal favor prefigures her later ability to influence both the king (chapters 5-8) and the broader Jewish community (chapter 9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Esther's trust in wise counsel over self-direction model spiritual wisdom and dependence on God's appointed means of guidance?
  2. What does her universal favor teach about how godly character and demeanor can transcend cultural, ethnic, and religious boundaries in winning respect?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
וּבְהַגִּ֣יעַ1 of 34

was come

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

תֹּר2 of 34

Now when the turn

H8447

a succession, i.e., a string or (abstractly) order

אֶסְתֵּר֙3 of 34

And Esther

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

לְבַ֜ת4 of 34

her for his daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אֲבִיחַ֣יִל5 of 34

of Abihail

H32

abihail or abichail, the name of three israelites and two israelitesses

דֹּ֣ד6 of 34

the uncle

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

מָרְדֳּכַ֡י7 of 34

of Mordecai

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

אֲשֶׁר֩8 of 34
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לָקַֽח9 of 34

who had taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

ל֨וֹ10 of 34
H0
לְבַ֜ת11 of 34

her for his daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

לָב֣וֹא12 of 34

to go in

H935

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

אֶל13 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ14 of 34

the king's

H4428

a king

לֹ֤א15 of 34
H3808

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

בִקְשָׁה֙16 of 34

she required

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

דָּבָ֔ר17 of 34

nothing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

כִּ֠י18 of 34
H3588

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

אִ֣ם19 of 34
H518

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

אֶת20 of 34
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 34
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֹאמַ֛ר22 of 34

appointed

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֵגַ֥י23 of 34

but what Hegai

H1896

hege or hegai, a eunuch of xerxes

סְרִיס24 of 34

chamberlain

H5631

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ25 of 34

the king's

H4428

a king

שֹׁמֵ֣ר26 of 34

the keeper

H8104

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

הַנָּשִׁ֑ים27 of 34

of the women

H802

a woman

וַתְּהִ֤י28 of 34
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אֶסְתֵּר֙29 of 34

And Esther

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

נֹשֵׂ֣את30 of 34

obtained

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

חֵ֔ן31 of 34

favour

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֵ֖י32 of 34

in the sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כָּל33 of 34
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רֹאֶֽיהָ׃34 of 34

of all them that looked

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)


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 2:15 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 2:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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