King James Version

What Does Esther 2:7 Mean?

Esther 2:7 in the King James Version says “And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid w...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful ; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. brought: Heb. nourished fair: Heb. fair of form, and good of countenance”

Esther 2:7 · KJV

Context

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;

6

Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. Jeconiah: or, Jehoiachin

7

And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful ; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. brought: Heb. nourished fair: Heb. fair of form, and good of countenance

8

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.

9

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. such: Heb. her portions preferred: Heb. changed

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Esther introduced: 'And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter'. Esther (Hebrew name Hadassah, meaning 'myrtle') was orphaned and adopted by cousin Mordecai. Her beauty and orphan status both proved providentially significant—beauty qualified her for queen selection, orphan status perhaps made her more compliant with Mordecai's instruction to conceal Jewish identity. God's providence prepared Esther through circumstances that seemed disadvantageous (orphaned, vulnerable) for strategic role (become queen, save Jews). Her dual name (Hebrew Hadassah, Persian Esther) symbolizes dual identity she would navigate.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish diaspora in Persia included descendants of those who chose not to return to Judah after exile ended. Mordecai and Esther lived in Susa, the Persian capital, showing Jewish integration into Persian society. Orphans in ancient world faced extreme vulnerability without family protection—Mordecai's adoption demonstrated covenant loyalty and provided Esther security. The name Esther possibly derives from Persian 'star' or goddess Ishtar, showing her assimilation to Persian culture. Her beauty, mentioned specifically, foreshadowed her selection as queen candidate. God's providence worked through tragedy (orphaned) and natural gifts (beauty) to position her for saving her people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's providence working through Esther's tragic orphaning demonstrate His sovereignty even over suffering?
  2. What does her dual identity teach about navigating faithfulness while living in secular culture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיְהִ֨י1 of 25
H1961

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

אֹמֵ֜ן2 of 25

“And he brought up”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

אֶת3 of 25
H853

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

הֲדַסָּ֗ה4 of 25

“Hadassah”

H1919

hadassah (or esther)

הִ֤יא5 of 25
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

אֶסְתֵּר֙6 of 25

“that is Esther”

H635

ester, the jewish heroine

לְבַֽת׃7 of 25

“daughter”

H1323

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

דֹּד֔וֹ8 of 25

“his uncle's”

H1730

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

כִּ֛י9 of 25
H3588

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

אֵ֥ין10 of 25
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָ֖הּ11 of 25
H0
אָבִ֙יהָ֙12 of 25

“for she had neither father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאִמָּ֔הּ13 of 25

“and mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

וְהַנַּֽעֲרָ֤ה14 of 25

“and the maid”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

יְפַת15 of 25

“was fair”

H3303

beautiful (literally or figuratively)

תֹּ֙אַר֙16 of 25
H8389

outline, i.e., figure or appearance

וְטוֹבַ֣ת17 of 25

“and beautiful”

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

מַרְאֶ֔ה18 of 25
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),

וּבְמ֤וֹת19 of 25

“were dead”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

אָבִ֙יהָ֙20 of 25

“for she had neither father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאִמָּ֔הּ21 of 25

“and mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

לְקָחָ֧הּ22 of 25

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מָרְדֳּכַ֛י23 of 25

“whom Mordecai”

H4782

mordecai, an israelite

ל֖וֹ24 of 25
H0
לְבַֽת׃25 of 25

“daughter”

H1323

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

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 2:7 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 2:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 2:15Esther 1:11Ephesians 6:42 Corinthians 6:18Genesis 48:5Jeremiah 32:7-12

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