Esther 2:3

Hebrew Bible Modern 1977

ויפקד המלך פקידים בכל מדינות מלכותו ויקבצו את כל נערה בתולה טובת מראה אל שושן הבירה אל בית הנשים אל יד הגא סריס המלך שמר הנשים ונתון תמרוקיהן:

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Esther describes the king's order to gather beautiful young women from his kingdom to Shushan palace. He wants to choose the most suitable one to be the new queen. The young women will be cared for and prepared in the women's house under Hege's supervision.

Explained for Children

Imagine if a king wanted to find the best princess for his castle. He asks his helpers to look all over his land for pretty young girls and bring them to a special place where they can be taken care of. Then, he can choose the one he likes the most.

Historical Background

The Book of Esther was written during the Persian period, around the 5th century BC. It was likely written to explain the origin of the Jewish festival of Purim. The cultural setting involves a Persian king, Ahasuerus, and the Jewish exile in Persia.

Living It Out Today

Just as the king wanted to make an important decision for his kingdom, we must also be thoughtful in choosing the people we surround ourselves with. Whether it's friends or leaders, we need to be discerning and wise in our choices.

Topics

• wisdom
• discernment
• leadership
• beauty
• royalty
• women

Related Verses

• Proverbs 11:22
• 1 Kings 11:1-3
• 1 Samuel 18:20-27
• 1 Timothy 3:11
• 1 Peter 3:1-6

Recommended Reading

Commentary Esther Commentaries → Get This Bible Hebrew Bible Modern Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of gathering the young women?

The king wanted to find a suitable candidate to be the new queen, so he gathered the most beautiful young women from his provinces to make his choice.

Who was Hege and what was his role?

Hege was the king's chamberlain, responsible for overseeing the women in the palace. His job was to ensure the young women were well cared for and prepared for the king's selection.

What does 'purification' mean in this context?

In this context, purification refers to the preparation of the young women, which could include personal grooming, training in royal manners, and other preparations to make them suitable for the king's favor.

Why is this part of the story significant?

This part sets the stage for the main narrative, where Esther is chosen to become queen. It highlights the king's power and the elaborate process of selecting a queen from among many candidates.