Esther 2:14 Meaning and Explanation
“In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →After one night, each woman joined the concubines and never returned to the king unless he summoned her by name.
What Does Esther 2:14 Mean?
The custom is sobering: after a single night, each woman passed into the second house under Shaashgaz, keeper of the concubines, and was seen no more by the king unless he delighted in her and called her by name. For most, the year of preparation led to a single evening and then obscurity. Their worth was measured by one man's passing pleasure.
The phrase called by name carries quiet weight in a book about hidden identities. To be summoned by name is to be remembered, chosen, set apart. Esther will indeed be remembered, but for far more than a night's delight. The narrator lets the cold arithmetic of the harem stand so that grace, when it comes, shines the brighter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esther 2:14
What does Esther 2:14 mean?
After one night, each woman joined the concubines and never returned to the king unless he summoned her by name.