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It so happened that when the king’s edict and his law became known[a] many young women were taken to Susa the citadel to be placed under the authority of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the royal palace[b] to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women. This young woman pleased him,[c] and she found favor with him. He quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her rations; he also provided her with the seven specially chosen[d] young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem.[e]

10 Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage,[f] for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so.[g]

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 2:8 tn Heb “were heard” (so NASB); NRSV “were (had been NIV) proclaimed.”
  2. Esther 2:8 tn Heb “the house of the king.” So also in vv. 9, 13. Cf. NLT “the king’s harem.”
  3. Esther 2:9 tn Heb “was good in his eyes”; NLT “Hegai was very impressed with Esther.”
  4. Esther 2:9 tn Heb “being looked at (with favor).”
  5. Esther 2:9 tn Heb “of the house of the women” (so KJV, ASV). So also in vv. 11, 13, 14.
  6. Esther 2:10 tn Cf. v. 20, where the same phrase occurs but with the word order reversed.
  7. Esther 2:10 tn Heb “that she not tell” (NRSV similar); NASB “that she should not make them known.”