Esther 2:3

Japanese 1988 (Seisho Shinkyoudoyaku 聖書 新共同訳)

全国各州に特使を送り、美しいおとめを一人残らず要塞の町スサの後宮に集め、後宮の監督、宦官ヘガイに託し、容姿を美しくさせるのです。

この聖句の意味

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.

子どもにもわかる説明

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.

歴史的背景

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.

今日への適用

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.

トピック

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

関連する聖句

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

よくある質問

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.