<p class="bodytext">It so happened that when the king&#8217;s edict and his law became known<n id="1" /> 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<n id="2" /> to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women.

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<n id="1" /> under the authority of Hegai, the king&#8217;s eunuch who oversees the women, and let him provide whatever cosmetics they desire.<n id="2" />

<p class="bodytext">When it became the turn of Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai (who had raised her as if she were his own daughter<n id="1" />) to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king&#8217;s eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her.