⁶ (Kish had been taken captive from Jerusalem together with the others who had gone into exile along with Judah’s King Jehoiakin,^[a] whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried away.) ⁷ Mordecai had raised Hadassah, also known as Esther, his uncle’s daughter, because she was an orphan. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was very attractive. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter.

⁸ When the king’s announcement and decree were heard, many young women were gathered together and brought to the fortress of Susa. They were placed in the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and placed in the care of Hegai, the guardian of the women.