Esther 2:2
New International Version
Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king.

New Living Translation
So his personal attendants suggested, “Let us search the empire to find beautiful young virgins for the king.

English Standard Version
Then the king’s young men who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the king’s attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king,

King James Bible
Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

New King James Version
Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king;

New American Standard Bible
Then the king’s attendants, who served him, said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

NASB 1995
Then the king’s attendants, who served him, said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

NASB 1977
Then the king’s attendants, who served him, said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the young men of the king, who attended to him, said, “Let young virgins, beautiful in appearance, be sought for the king.

Amplified Bible
Then the king’s attendants, who served him, said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

Christian Standard Bible
The king’s personal attendants suggested, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king’s personal attendants suggested, “Let a search be made for beautiful young women for the king.

American Standard Version
Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

Contemporary English Version
Then the king's personal servants said: Your Majesty, a search must be made to find you some beautiful young women.

English Revised Version
Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So the king's personal staff said to him, "Search for attractive young virgins for the king.

Good News Translation
So some of the king's advisers who were close to him suggested, "Why don't you make a search to find some beautiful young virgins?

International Standard Version
Then the young men who attended the king suggested, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the king’s attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king,

NET Bible
The king's servants who attended him said, "Let a search be conducted in the king's behalf for attractive young women.

New Heart English Bible
Then the king's servants who served him said, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said the king's servants that ministered to him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

World English Bible
Then the king’s servants who served him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and servants of the king, his ministers, say, “Let them seek for the king young women, virgins, of good appearance,

Young's Literal Translation
and servants of the king, his ministers, say, 'Let them seek for the king young women, virgins, of good appearance,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king's young men will say, those serving him, They shall seek for the king, maidens, virgins good of appearance:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king's servants and his officers said: Let young women be sought for the king, virgins and beautiful,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the servants of the king, and his ministers, said, “Let young women be sought for the king, virgins and beautiful,

New American Bible
Then the king’s personal attendants suggested: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the king's servants and his ministers said to him, Let there be beautiful young virgins sought for the king;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the young men of the King and his Ministers said to him: “We will seek for the King girls who are beautiful in their appearance.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him: 'Let there be sought for the king young virgins fair to look on;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then the servants of the king said, Let there be sought for the king chaste and beautiful young virgins.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Seeking Vashti's Successor
1Some time later, when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. 2Then the king’s attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king, 3and let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom to assemble all the beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the women, and let them be given beauty treatments.…

Cross References
Genesis 24:16
Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.

1 Kings 1:2-4
So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.” / Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. / The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.

Ruth 3:10-11
Then Boaz said, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. / And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.

1 Samuel 25:3
His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

1 Kings 11:3
He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away.

Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

Song of Solomon 6:8-9
There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number, / but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the favorite of the mother who bore her. The maidens see her and call her blessed; the queens and concubines sing her praises.

Daniel 1:4
young men without blemish, handsome, gifted in all wisdom, knowledgeable, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace—and to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans.

1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

1 Timothy 2:9-10
Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, / but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

1 Corinthians 7:36-38
However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married. / But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well. / So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.

1 Corinthians 11:7-9
A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. / For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. / Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

Titus 2:4-5
In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, / to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said the king's servants that ministered to him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

king's servants.

Esther 1:10,14
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, …

Esther 6:14
And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Let there be.

Genesis 12:14
And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

1 Kings 1:2
Wherefore 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.

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Appearance Attendants Attended Beautiful Countenance Fair Good King's Maidens Ministered Ministers Personal Proposed Search Seek Servants Served Sought Virgins Waiting Women Young
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Appearance Attendants Attended Beautiful Countenance Fair Good King's Maidens Ministered Ministers Personal Proposed Search Seek Servants Served Sought Virgins Waiting Women Young
Esther 2
1. Out of the choice of virgins a queen is to be chosen.
5. Mordecai the nursing father of Esther.
8. Esther preferred before the rest.
12. The manner of purification, and going in to the king.
15. Esther, best pleasing the king, is made queen.
21. Mordecai, discovering a treason, is recorded in the chronicles.














Then the king's attendants
This phrase introduces us to the royal court of King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, who ruled the Persian Empire. The "attendants" were likely high-ranking officials or advisors who had the king's ear. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "na'ar," which can mean young men or servants. These attendants played a crucial role in the administration of the kingdom and were often involved in significant decisions. Historically, the Persian court was known for its opulence and complex bureaucracy, reflecting the vastness of the empire.

who served him
This phrase emphasizes the loyalty and duty of the attendants to the king. The Hebrew word "sharat" is used here, which means to minister or serve. This service was not merely about fulfilling tasks but involved a deep commitment to the king's well-being and the prosperity of his reign. In a broader biblical context, service is a recurring theme, highlighting the importance of faithfulness and dedication, whether to God or earthly authorities.

said, 'Let a search be made
The attendants propose a proactive solution to the king's predicament following Queen Vashti's dismissal. The phrase "let a search be made" indicates a systematic and thorough process. The Hebrew root "baqash" means to seek or search diligently. This reflects the organized nature of the Persian administration and their ability to execute large-scale operations, such as the search for a new queen.

for beautiful young virgins
This phrase sets the criteria for the search. The emphasis on "beautiful" and "young virgins" highlights the cultural values of the time, where physical beauty and purity were highly prized, especially in a royal context. The Hebrew word for "beautiful" is "yapheh," and "virgins" is "betulah," both of which carry connotations of desirability and suitability for the royal position. This reflects the societal norms and expectations of women in ancient Persia, where beauty and virtue were often seen as prerequisites for positions of influence.

for the king
The ultimate purpose of the search is to find a suitable companion for the king. This phrase underscores the centrality of the king's desires and needs in the decision-making process. In the broader biblical narrative, kingship often symbolizes authority and governance, and the search for a queen can be seen as a metaphor for seeking what is best and most fitting for leadership. The king's choice would not only affect his personal life but also have implications for the entire kingdom, highlighting the interconnectedness of personal and political realms in ancient times.

Verse 2. - The king's servants that ministered unto him. i.e. the great officers of the court, eunuchs and others, who had been more or less concerned in the disgrace of Vashti. Fair young virgins. Or, "young virgins fair to look on" (see Esther 1:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the king's
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

attendants
נַעֲרֵֽי־ (na·‘ă·rê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

proposed,
וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Let a search be made
יְבַקְשׁ֥וּ (yə·ḇaq·šū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

for beautiful
טוֹב֥וֹת (ṭō·w·ḇō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

young
נְעָר֥וֹת (nə·‘ā·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5291: A girl, maiden

virgins
בְּתוּל֖וֹת (bə·ṯū·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1330: A virgin, sometimes, a bride

for the king,
לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


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OT History: Esther 2:2 Then the king's servants who served him (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 2:1
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