Discovery BoxEsther 2:3 
Context2:3 And let the king appoint officers throughout all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the attractive young women to Susa the citadel, to the harem 1 under the authority of Hegai, the king’s eunuch who oversees the women, and let him provide whatever cosmetics they desire. 2
Esther 2:8-9
Context2:8 It so happened that when the king’s edict and his law became known 3 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 4 to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women. 2:9 This young woman pleased him, 5 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 6 young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem. 7
Esther 2:12
Context2:12 At the end of the twelve months that were required for the women, 8 when the turn of each young woman arrived to go to King Ahasuerus – for in this way they had to fulfill their time of cosmetic treatment: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfume and various ointments used by women –
Esther 2:17
Context2:17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval 9 more than all the other young women. 10 So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen 11 in place of Vashti.
1 tn Heb “the house of the women” (so KJV, ASV). So also in vv. 9, 11, 13, and 14.
2 tn Heb “their ointments”; cf. NIV, CEV, NLT “beauty treatments.”
3 tn Heb “were heard” (so NASB); NRSV “were (had been NIV) proclaimed.”
4 tn Heb “the house of the king.” So also in vv. 9, 13. Cf. NLT “the king’s harem.”
5 tn Heb “was good in his eyes”; NLT “Hegai was very impressed with Esther.”
6 tn Heb “being looked at (with favor).”
7 tn Heb “of the house of the women” (so KJV, ASV). So also in vv. 11, 13, 14.
8 tc The LXX does not include the words “that were required for the women.”
tn Heb “to be to her according to the law of the women”; NASB “under the regulations for the women.”
9 tn Heb “grace and loyal love.” The expression is probably a hendiadys.
10 tc The LXX does not include the words “more than all the other young women.”
11 tn Heb “caused her to rule.”
