Esther 2:7

Authorized King James Version

And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֨י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
אֹמֵ֜ן
And he brought up
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
הֲדַסָּ֗ה
Hadassah
hadassah (or esther)
#5
הִ֤יא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#6
אֶסְתֵּר֙
that is Esther
ester, the jewish heroine
#7
לְבַֽת׃
daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#8
דֹּד֔וֹ
his uncle's
(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
#9
כִּ֛י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
אֵ֥ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#11
לָ֖הּ
H0
#12
אָבִ֙יהָ֙
H1
for she had neither father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#13
וְאִמָּ֔הּ
and mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#14
וְהַנַּֽעֲרָ֤ה
and the maid
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
#15
יְפַת
was fair
beautiful (literally or figuratively)
#16
תֹּ֙אַר֙
outline, i.e., figure or appearance
#17
וְטוֹבַ֣ת
and beautiful
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#18
מַרְאֶ֔ה
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
#19
וּבְמ֤וֹת
were dead
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
#20
אָבִ֙יהָ֙
H1
for she had neither father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#21
וְאִמָּ֔הּ
and mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#22
לְקָחָ֧הּ
took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#23
מָרְדֳּכַ֛י
whom Mordecai
mordecai, an israelite
#24
ל֖וֹ
H0
#25
לְבַֽת׃
daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Esther, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Esther.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Esther Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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