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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Esther 2:2–7

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
And 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:
And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
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.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 39 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 2

  1. 1 Kings 1:2Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    2Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

  2. Esther 6:14Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    14And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

  3. Genesis 12:14Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    14¶ And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

  4. Esther 1:10Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    10¶ On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

  5. Esther 1:14Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    14And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)

From verse 3

  1. Esther 1:1–2Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    1NOW it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

    2That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

  2. Esther 2:12–15Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    12¶ Now 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;)

    13Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.

    14In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

    15¶ Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

  3. Esther 2:8–9Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    8¶ So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

    9And 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.

  4. Isaiah 3:18–23Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    18In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,

    19The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,

    20The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,

    21The rings, and nose jewels,

    22The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,

    23The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.

From verse 4

  1. Matthew 14:6Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    6But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

  2. Matthew 20:16Rank 2 from verse 4
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    16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

  3. 2 Samuel 17:4Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    4And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

  4. Esther 1:21Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

  5. Esther 3:9–10Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    9If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.

    10And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

  6. Matthew 22:14Rank 6 from verse 4
    Open

    14For many are called, but few are chosen.

  7. 2 Samuel 13:4–6Rank 7 from verse 4
    Open

    4And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.

    5And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

    6¶ So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

  8. 2 Samuel 16:21–23Rank 8 from verse 4
    Open

    21And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.

    22So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

    23And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

From verse 5

  1. 2 Samuel 16:5Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    5¶ And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.

  2. 1 Samuel 9:1Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    1NOW there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

  3. Esther 1:2Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    2That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

  4. Esther 10:3Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    3For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.

  5. Esther 2:3Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    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:

  6. Esther 3:2–6Rank 6 from verse 5
    Open

    2And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

    3Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?

    4Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

    5And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

    6And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

  7. Esther 5:1Rank 7 from verse 5
    Open

    1NOW it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

From verse 6

  1. 2 Kings 24:14–15Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    14And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

    15And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.

  2. 2 Chronicles 36:20Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    20And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:

  3. Jeremiah 24:1Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    1THE Lord shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the Lord, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.

  4. 2 Kings 24:6Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    6So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

  5. 2 Chronicles 36:9–10Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    9¶ Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.

    10And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the Lord, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

  6. Jeremiah 22:24Rank 6 from verse 6
    Open

    24As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

  7. Jeremiah 22:28Rank 7 from verse 6
    Open

    28Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?

From verse 7

  1. Esther 2:15Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    15¶ Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

  2. Esther 1:11Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    11To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.

  3. 2 Corinthians 6:18Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

  4. Ephesians 6:4Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

  5. 1 John 3:1Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    1BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

  6. Genesis 48:5Rank 6 from verse 7
    Open

    5¶ And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.

  7. Jeremiah 32:7–12Rank 7 from verse 7
    Open

    7Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.

    8So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord.

    9And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.

    10And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.

    11So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:

    12And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.

  8. Daniel 1:6–7Rank 8 from verse 7
    Open

    6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

    7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 2:2

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ministered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of minister. Sense 1: To serve, attend, or perform service. Sense 2: To give, afford, supply, convey, or cause what is named to be supplied.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fair

↗

1. Beautiful, comely, or pleasing in appearance. 2. Of speech or outward show, pleasing or flattering. 3. Of weather, clear or favourable.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

young

↗

1. Early in life or growth. 2. Offspring or young persons or creatures.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 2:3

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

appoint

↗

Sense 1: To assign, designate, establish, or set for a particular purpose, office, or time. Sense 2: To supply, allot, furnish, or equip with provisions or equipment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

kingdom

↗

The rule, royal authority, government, realm, territory, subjects, or dominion of a king.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fair

↗

1. Beautiful, comely, or pleasing in appearance. 2. Of speech or outward show, pleasing or flattering. 3. Of weather, clear or favourable.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

young

↗

1. Early in life or growth. 2. Offspring or young persons or creatures.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

house

↗

Sense 1: A building or dwelling. Sense 2: The people of a household or family. Sense 3: A lineage or family line. Sense 4: As a verb, to shelter, lodge, or provide a dwelling for.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

custody

↗

Keeping, guarding, charge, care, control, or confinement under the responsibility of another.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

chamberlain

↗

1. A royal or household officer entrusted with chambers, attendants, or personal affairs. 2. An officer entrusted with the affairs of a city.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 2:4

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pleaseth

↗

Sense 1: Gives satisfaction or is agreeable to. Sense 2: Chooses, wills, or sees fit.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pleased

↗

Past-tense, past-participial, or adjectival form of please. Sense 1: Gave pleasure or satisfaction to, was agreeable or acceptable to, or was gratified. Sense 2: Chose, desired, willed, or saw fit.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 2:5

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

certain

↗

1. A particular person, thing, place, time, amount, or number not named or not further specified; also some members or portion of a group. 2. Sure, settled, true, reliable, or known beyond doubt.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

name

↗

Sense 1: A word, appellation, or designation by which a person or thing is called or known. Sense 2: The person or persons named or represented. Sense 3: Reputation, character, renown, or remembrance. Sense 4: The authority, behalf, or standing represented by a name. Sense 5: As a verb, to call, designate, or mention by name.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 2:6

COMBINED MEANING

carried

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of carry (to bear, convey, support, or take from one place to another).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

whom

↗

The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Babylon

↗

Sense 1: The proper name of the city, land, or kingdom of Babylon. Sense 2: The prophetic entity called Babylon.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Esther 2:7

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

neither

↗

1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mother

↗

Sense 1: A female parent. Sense 2: Figuratively, a source, chief city, or maternal relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

maid

↗

1. A female servant or attendant. 2. A girl or young woman, especially an unmarried woman or virgin.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fair

↗

1. Beautiful, comely, or pleasing in appearance. 2. Of speech or outward show, pleasing or flattering. 3. Of weather, clear or favourable.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

whom

↗

The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dead

↗

Sense 1: Without life; deprived of life. Sense 2: Lifeless, inactive, insensible, or separated from a former state by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Esther 2:1–7

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

2:1AFTER these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

2:2Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

Selected passage

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:

Selected passage

2:4And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

Selected passage

2:5Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;

Selected passage

2:6Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

Selected passage

2:7And 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.

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