Esther 2:2
◄  Esther 2:2  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Then the king's personal attendants proposed, "Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king.

New Living Translation (©2007)
So his personal attendants suggested, "Let us search the empire to find beautiful young virgins for the king.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Then the king’s young men who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then the king's attendants, who served him, said, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
The king's personal attendants suggested, "Let a search be made for beautiful young women for the king.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Then the young men who attended the king suggested, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

NET Bible (©2006)
The king's servants who attended him said, "Let a search be conducted in the king's behalf for attractive young women.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
So the king's personal staff said to him, "Search for attractive young virgins for the king.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be beautiful young virgins sought out for the king:

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king's servants and his officers said: Let young women be sought for the king, virgins and beautiful,

Darby Bible Translation
Then said the king's servants that attended upon him, Let there be maidens, virgins of beautiful countenance, sought for the king;

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

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

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

2:1-20 We see to what absurd practices those came, who were destitute of Divine revelation, and what need there was of the gospel of Christ, to purify men from the lusts of the flesh, and to bring them back to the original institution of marriage. Esther was preferred as queen. Those who suggest that Esther committed sin to come at this dignity, do not consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took was married to him, and was his wife, though of a lower rank. But how low is human nature sunk, when such as these are the leading pursuits and highest worldly happiness of men! Disappointment and vexation must follow; and he most wisely consults his enjoyment, even in this present life, who most exactly obeys the precepts of the Divine law. But let us turn to consider the wise and merciful providence of God, carrying on his deep but holy designs in the midst of all this. And let no change in our condition be a pretext for forgetting our duties to parents, or the friends who have stood in their place.

Pulpit Commentary

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).

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him,.... Fearing that, if Vashti should be restored, vengeance would be taken on them; or however to remove the grief and melancholy of the king, they gave the following advice:

let there be fair young virgins sought for the king; that he might enjoy them, and choose one of them, the most agreeable to him, and put her in the room of Vashti.

Esther 2:2 Parallel Commentaries

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Seeking Vashti's Successor
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. 2Then said the king's servants that ministered to him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: 3And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins to Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, to the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: …

1 Kings 1:2 So his attendants said to him, "Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm."
Esther 2:3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them.