Est 2:3 | TSK | e4.org | in all the provinces that they may gather This was the usual way in which the harem, or seraglio , was furnished; the finest women in the land, whether of high or low birth, were sought out and brought to the harem. They all became the king's concubines; but one was raised as chief wife, or sultana, to the throne; and her issue was especially entitled to inherit. the custody Heb. the hand Hege , Hegai the king's chamberlain Saris hammelech , "the king's eunuch:" so the LXX, Vulgate, Targum, and Syriac. their things ;

‏ Esther 2:3

in all the provinces Esth 1:1-2

that they may gather This was the usual way in which the harem, or seraglio, was furnished; the finest women in the land, whether of high or low birth, were sought out and brought to the harem. They all became the king's concubines; but one was raised as chief wife, or sultana, to the throne; and her issue was especially entitled to inherit.

the custody Heb. the hand

Hege Esth 2:8, Hegai

the king's chamberlain Saris hammelech, "the king's eunuch:" so the LXX, Vulgate, Targum, and Syriac.

their things Esth 2:12-14; Isa 3:18-23