King James Version

What Does Esther 2:3 Mean?

Esther 2:3 in the King James Version says “And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young ... — study this verse from Esther chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: unto the: Heb. unto the hand Hege: or, Hegai

Esther 2:3 · KJV


Context

1

After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

2

Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

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 Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: unto the: Heb. unto the hand Hege: or, Hegai

4

And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

5

Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: The servants' proposal becomes more detailed, outlining the administrative mechanism for this empire-wide search. The appointment of "officers" in all 127 provinces demonstrates the Persian Empire's bureaucratic sophistication. The phrase "gather together all the fair young virgins" reveals the compulsory nature of this "contest"—beautiful young women throughout the empire would be rounded up whether they wished to participate or not. The reference to Hegai, "the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women," establishes the administrative infrastructure. Every detail of this worldly, exploitative system becomes, in God's providence, the pathway for Esther's strategic positioning.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Persian administrative efficiency enabled rapid, comprehensive implementation of royal decrees throughout the empire. Archaeological evidence from Persepolis fortification tablets documents this administrative apparatus. The reference to the "house of the women" indicates the separate harem quarters within the palace complex. Excavations at Susa and Persepolis confirm elaborate women's quarters with independent facilities. Hegai's role as "keeper of the women" was a significant court position, managing the complex logistics for potentially hundreds of women. The twelve-month purification process reflects ancient beauty practices documented in various ancient texts, involving oils, perfumes, and beauty treatments.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers evaluate systems that accomplish God's purposes but involve exploitation or injustice?
  2. What does this passage teach about maintaining ethical clarity while recognizing God's sovereignty over morally complex situations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְיַפְקֵ֨ד1 of 28

appoint

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ2 of 28

And let the king

H4428

a king

פְּקִידִים֮3 of 28

officers

H6496

a superintendent (civil, military or religious)

בְּכָל4 of 28
H3605

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

מְדִינ֣וֹת5 of 28

in all the provinces

H4082

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

מַלְכוּתוֹ֒6 of 28

of his kingdom

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

וְיִקְבְּצ֣וּ7 of 28

that they may gather together

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֶת8 of 28
H853

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

כָּל9 of 28
H3605

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

נַעֲרָֽה10 of 28

young

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

בְ֠תוּלָה11 of 28

virgins

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

טוֹבַ֨ת12 of 28

all the fair

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

מַרְאֶ֜ה13 of 28
H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

אֶל14 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שׁוּשַׁ֤ן15 of 28

unto Shushan

H7800

shushan, a place in persia

הַבִּירָה֙16 of 28

the palace

H1002

a castle or palace

אֶל17 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ית18 of 28

to the house

H1004

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

הַנָּשִׁ֑ים19 of 28

of the women

H802

a woman

אֶל20 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יַ֥ד21 of 28

unto 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

הֵגֶ֛א22 of 28

of Hege

H1896

hege or hegai, a eunuch of xerxes

סְרִ֥יס23 of 28

chamberlain

H5631

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ24 of 28

And let the king

H4428

a king

שֹׁמֵ֣ר25 of 28

keeper

H8104

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

הַנָּשִׁ֑ים26 of 28

of the women

H802

a woman

וְנָת֖וֹן27 of 28

be given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

תַּמְרוּקֵיהֶֽן׃28 of 28

and let their things for purification

H8562

properly, a scouring, i.e., soap or perfumery for the bath; figuratively, a detergent


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 2:3 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 2:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study