Esther 2:8

2:8 It so happened that when the king’s edict and his law became known ¹  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 ²  to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women.

Esther 2:17

2:17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval ³  more than all the other young women. ⁴  So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen ⁵  in place of Vashti.

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¹ tn Heb “were heard” (so NASB); NRSV “were (had been NIV) proclaimed.”

² tn Heb “the house of the king.” So also in vv. 9, 13. Cf. NLT “the king’s harem.”

³ tn Heb “grace and loyal love.” The expression is probably a hendiadys.

⁴ tc The LXX does not include the words “more than all the other young women.”

⁵ tn Heb “caused her to rule.”