Esther 2:9
And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּיטַ֨ב
pleased
H3190
וַתִּיטַ֨ב
pleased
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
1 of 27
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
בְעֵינָיו֮
H5869
בְעֵינָיו֮
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 27
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וַתִּשָּׂ֣א
him and she obtained
H5375
וַתִּשָּׂ֣א
him and she obtained
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 27
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
חֶ֣סֶד
kindness
H2617
חֶ֣סֶד
kindness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
5 of 27
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
לְפָנָיו֒
of him
H6440
לְפָנָיו֒
of him
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 27
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַ֠יְבַהֵל
and he speedily
H926
וַ֠יְבַהֵל
and he speedily
Strong's:
H926
Word #:
7 of 27
to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תַּמְרוּקֶ֤יהָ
her her things for purification
H8562
תַּמְרוּקֶ֤יהָ
her her things for purification
Strong's:
H8562
Word #:
9 of 27
properly, a scouring, i.e., soap or perfumery for the bath; figuratively, a detergent
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מָֽנוֹתֶ֙הָ֙
with such things as belonged
H4490
מָֽנוֹתֶ֙הָ֙
with such things as belonged
Strong's:
H4490
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, something weighed out, i.e., (generally) a division; specifically (of food) a ration; also a lot
לָֽתֶת
gave
H5414
לָֽתֶת
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שֶׁ֣בַע
to her and seven
H7651
שֶׁ֣בַע
to her and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
15 of 27
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
הָֽרְאֻי֥וֹת
which were meet
H7200
הָֽרְאֻי֥וֹת
which were meet
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
17 of 27
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
לָֽתֶת
gave
H5414
לָֽתֶת
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
18 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בֵּ֥ית
house
H1004
בֵּ֥ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
20 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַיְשַׁנֶּ֧הָ
and he preferred
H8138
וַיְשַׁנֶּ֧הָ
and he preferred
Strong's:
H8138
Word #:
22 of 27
to fold, i.e., duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְט֖וֹב
unto the best
H2896
לְט֖וֹב
unto the best
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
25 of 27
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
Cross References
Proverbs 16:7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.Genesis 39:21But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.Esther 2:3And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:Esther 2:12Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)Daniel 1:9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.Ezra 7:6This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.Acts 7:10And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.Psalms 106:46He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.1 Kings 8:50And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:
Historical Context
Hegai wielded significant power as keeper of the women, controlling resources, assignments, and access. His favor could dramatically improve a maiden's chances with the king. The provision of "seven maidens" as personal attendants indicates elite treatment—most candidates likely received minimal assistance. The "best place of the house of the women" probably meant superior quarters: better ventilation, privacy, proximity to bathing facilities, or other advantages. Ancient sources describe competitive dynamics in royal harems, where positioning, relationships, and resources significantly impacted success. Hegai's immediate preferential treatment of Esther gave her enormous advantage, demonstrating how God works through human favor and institutional structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Esther's pattern of consistently finding favor illustrate God's sovereign governance of human relationships and attitudes?
- When have you experienced unexpected favor that, in retrospect, positioned you for service to God's purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. Esther's immediate favor with Hegai demonstrates God's providence at work. The phrase "pleased him" (vatissa chen, וַתִּשָּׂא חֵן) literally means "she lifted up grace"—found unmerited favor. The Hebrew chesed (חֶסֶד, "kindness") is covenant love language, showing that even pagan officials' benevolence serves God's purposes. Hegai's preferential treatment—swift provision of cosmetics, assignment of seven maidens (the number of completeness), and "the best place"—positioned Esther advantageously from the start. This pattern repeats throughout Esther: she consistently finds favor before everyone she encounters (2:15, 17; 5:2, 8; 7:3; 8:5). This isn't mere charm or beauty but divine providence securing human favor for redemptive purposes.