Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 6 / Ordinary 11
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The NET Bible®

Esther 2:14

In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to a separate part of the harem, to the authority of Shaashgaz the king's eunuch who was overseeing the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king was pleased with her and she was requested by name.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Chamberlain;   Lasciviousness;   Marriage;   Shaashgaz;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Concubine;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Chamberlain;   Shaashgaz;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Eunuch;   Shaashgaz;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Esther;   Shaashgaz;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Concubines;   Shaashgaz ;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Sha-As'gaz;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Chamberlain;   Delight;   Shaashgaz;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Esther, Apocryphal Book of;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for July 15;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
She would go in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the supervision of the king’s eunuch Shaashgaz, keeper of the concubines. She never went to the king again, unless he desired her and summoned her by name.
Hebrew Names Version
In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Sha`ashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
King James Version
In 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.
English Standard Version
In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
New Century Version
In the evening she would go to the king's palace, and in the morning she would return to another part of the women's quarters. There she would be placed under the care of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch in charge of the slave women. The girl would not go back to the king again unless he was pleased with her and asked for her by name.
Amplified Bible
In the evening she would go in and the next morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
New American Standard Bible
In the evening she would enter and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
World English Bible
In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
Geneva Bible (1587)
In the euening she went, & on the morow she returned into the second house of the women vnder the hand of Shaashgaz the Kings eunuche, which kept the concubines: shee came in to the King no more, except shee pleased the King, and that she were called by name.
Legacy Standard Bible
In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the hand of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who kept charge of the concubines. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
Berean Standard Bible
She would go there in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name.
Contemporary English Version
In the evening she would go to the king, and the following morning she would go to the place where his wives stayed after being with him. There a man named Shaashgaz was in charge of the king's wives. Only the ones the king wanted and asked for by name could go back to the king.
Complete Jewish Bible
She would go in the evening, and on the following day she would return to another part of the harem's house and be under the care of Sha‘ashgaz the king's officer in charge of the concubines. She would not go to the king again unless he was especially pleased with her and had her summoned by name.
Darby Translation
In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, unto the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, keeper of the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
Easy-to-Read Version
In the evening the young woman would go to the king's palace. And in the morning she would return to another area where the king's women lived. Then she would be placed under the care of a man named Shaashgaz. He was the king's eunuch in charge of the slave women. She would not go back to the king again unless he was pleased with her. Then he would call her by name to come back to him.
George Lamsa Translation
In the evening she went in, and in the morning she returned to the house of the women to the custody of Shangashgeshir the kings eunuch, the keeper of the concubines; she did not come in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was called by name.
Good News Translation
She would go there in the evening, and the next morning she would be taken to another harem and put in the care of Shaashgaz, the eunuch in charge of the king's concubines. She would not go to the king again unless he liked her enough to ask for her by name.
Lexham English Bible
In the evening she would go and in the morning she would return to the second harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was called by name.
Literal Translation
She goes in the evening, and on the morning she returns to the second house of the women, into the hand of Shaashgaz the king's eunuch who kept the concubines. She does not come in to the king any more, unless the king delights in her, andshe is called by name.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And whan one came in the euenynge, ye same wete fro him on ye morow in to ye seconde house of wemen, vnder the hande of Saasgas the kynges chamberlayne, which kepte ye concubines. And she must come vnto the kynge nomore, excepte it pleased the kynge, and that he caused her to be called by name.
American Standard Version
In 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, who kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
Bible in Basic English
In the evening she went, and on the day after she came back to the second house of the women, into the keeping of Shaashgaz, one of the king's unsexed servants who had the care of the king's wives: only if the king had delight in her and sent for her by name did she go in to him again.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
In the euening she went, and on the morowe she returned into the seconde house of the women abyding vnder the hande of Saasgaz the kinges chamberlayne, which kept the concubines: And she came in vnto the king no more, except it pleased the king to haue her, and that she were called by name.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
In 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, who kept the concubines; she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
King James Version (1611)
In the euening she went, and on the morrowe she returned into the second house of the women, to the custodie of Shaashgaz the kings chamberlen, which kept the concubines: shee came in vnto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that shee were called by name.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
She enters in the evening, and in the morning she departs to the second women’s apartment, where Gai the king’s chamberlain is keeper of the women: and she goes not in to the king again, unless she should be called by name.
English Revised Version
In 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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And sche that hadde entrid in the euentid, yede out in the morwetid; and fro thennus thei weren led forth in to the secounde housis, that weren vndur the hond of Sagazi, onest seruaunt and chast, that was gouernour of the kyngis concubyns; and sche hadde not power to go ayen more to the kyng, no but the kyng wolde, `and had comaundid hir to come bi name.
Update Bible Version
In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
Webster's Bible Translation
In 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, who kept the concubines: she came in to the king no more, except that the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
New King James Version
In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name.
New Living Translation
That evening she was taken to the king's private rooms, and the next morning she was brought to the second harem, where the king's wives lived. There she would be under the care of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would never go to the king again unless he had especially enjoyed her and requested her by name.
New Life Bible
In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second house for the king's women, into the care of Shaashgaz, the king's servant who took care of his women who acted as wives. She would not go in to the king again unless the king was pleased with her and she was called by name.
New Revised Standard
In the evening she went in; then in the morning she came back to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines; she did not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
in the evening, she went in, and, in the morning, she returned - unto the second house of the women, unto the custody of Shaashgaz the king's eunuch, who kept the concubines, - she went not in again unto the king, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And she that went in at evening, came out in the morning, and from thence she was conducted to the second house, that was under the hand of Susagaz the eunuch, who had the charge over the king’s concubines: neither could she return any more to the king, unless the king desired it, and had ordered her by name to come.
Revised Standard Version
In the evening she went, and in the morning she came back to the second harem in custody of Sha-ash'gaz the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines; she did not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
Young's Literal Translation
in the evening she hath gone in, and in the morning she hath turned back unto the second house of the women, unto the hand of Shaashgaz eunuch of the king, keeper of the concubines; she cometh not in any more unto the king except the king hath delighted in her, and she hath been called by name.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

Contextual Overview

1 When these things had been accomplished and the rage of King Ahasuerus had diminished, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decided against her. 2 The king's servants who attended him said, "Let a search be conducted in the king's behalf for attractive young women. 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 under the authority of Hegai, the king's eunuch who oversees the women, and let him provide whatever cosmetics they desire. 4 Let the young woman whom the king finds most attractive become queen in place of Vashti." This seemed like a good idea to the king, so he acted accordingly. 5 Now there happened to be a Jewish man in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 6 who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried into exile with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile. 7 Now he was acting as the guardian of Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, for neither her father nor her mother was alive. This young woman was very attractive and had a beautiful figure. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had raised her as if she were his own daughter. 8 It so happened that when the king's edict and his law became known 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 to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women. 9 This young woman pleased him, 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 young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem. 10 Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

delighted: Esther 4:11, Genesis 34:19, Deuteronomy 21:14, Isaiah 62:4, Isaiah 62:5

she were called: Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 45:4

Reciprocal: Judges 19:1 - a concubine Esther 2:11 - walked

Cross-References

Genesis 10:11
From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah,
Genesis 10:22
The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.
Genesis 15:18
That day the Lord made a covenant with Abram: "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates River—
Genesis 25:18
His descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which runs next to Egypt all the way to Asshur. They settled away from all their relatives.
Deuteronomy 1:7
Get up now, resume your journey, heading for the Amorite hill country, to all its areas including the arid country, the highlands, the Shephelah, the Negev, and the coastal plain—all of Canaan and Lebanon as far as the Great River, that is, the Euphrates.
Deuteronomy 11:24
Every place you set your foot will be yours; your border will extend from the desert to Lebanon and from the River (that is, the Euphrates) as far as the Mediterranean Sea.
Daniel 10:4
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was beside the great river, the Tigris.
Revelation 9:14
saying to the sixth angel, the one holding the trumpet, "Set free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!"

Gill's Notes on the Bible

In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women,.... Or the other apartment of the house of the women, where were kept those the king had made his concubines or secondary wives. Aben Ezra interprets it the second time, and so the Targum by "again":

to the custody of Shaashgaz the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines; of which the kings of Persia had a great number; Darius, whom Alexander conquered, had three hundred and sixty q:

she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she was called by name; but remained shut up in the house, and might not lie with, nor be married to, another man.

q Curt. Hist. l. 3. c. 3.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The second house of the women - i. e. Esther returned to the “house of the women,” but not to the same part of it. She became an inmate of the “second house,” or “house of the concubines,” under the superintendence of a distinct officer, Shaashgaz.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 14. She returned into the second house — This was the place where the king's concubines were kept. They went out no more, and were never given in marriage to any man, and saw the king's face no more unless specially called.

Custody of Shaashgaz — This is probably another Persian name; [Persian] sheshkhunj, beardless, a proper epithet of a eunuch; or [Persian] sestgunj, weak loins, for the same reason. Names of this kind at once show the reason of their imposition, by describing the state of the person.


 
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