⁶ which had been taken ·captive [into exile] from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. They were part of the group taken into ·captivity [exile] with Jehoiachin king of Judah [^C597 bc; 2 Kin. 24:8–17]. ⁷ Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, who had no father or mother, so Mordecai ·took care of her [was her guardian; brought her up]. Hadassah was also called Esther, and she ·had a very pretty figure and face [^Lwas beautiful of form]. Mordecai had ·adopted [raised; taken] her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

⁸ When the king’s command and ·order [decree; edict] had been ·heard [proclaimed], many ·girls [young women] had been brought to the ·palace [citadel; fortress; 1:2] in Susa and put under the ·care [custody; authority] of Hegai. Esther was also taken to the king’s ·palace [^Lhouse] and put under the ·care [custody; authority] of Hegai, who was in charge of the women.