Esther 2:19
New International Version
When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

New Living Translation
Even after all the young women had been transferred to the second harem and Mordecai had become a palace official,

English Standard Version
Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

Berean Standard Bible
When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

King James Bible
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

New King James Version
When virgins were gathered together a second time, Mordecai sat within the king’s gate.

New American Standard Bible
Now when the virgins were gathered together for the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

NASB 1995
When the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

NASB 1977
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

Legacy Standard Bible
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

Amplified Bible
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

Christian Standard Bible
When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the young women were assembled together for a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate.

American Standard Version
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate.

Contemporary English Version
When the young women were brought together again, Esther's cousin Mordecai had become a palace official.

English Revised Version
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate.

Good News Translation
Meanwhile Mordecai had been appointed by the king to an administrative position.

International Standard Version
When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate.

Majority Standard Bible
When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

NET Bible
Now when the young women were being gathered again, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate.

New Heart English Bible
When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the King's Gate.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the virgins were assembled the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

World English Bible
When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And in the virgins being gathered a second time, then Mordecai is sitting in the gate of the king;

Young's Literal Translation
And in the virgins being gathered a second time, then Mordecai is sitting in the gate of the king;

Smith's Literal Translation
And in the gathering together the virgins the second time, and Mordecai sat in the gate of the king.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the virgins were sought the second time, and gathered together, Mardochai stayed at the king's gate,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the virgins were sought for the second time and gathered together, Mordecai remained at the king’s gate.

New American Bible
As was said, from the time the virgins had been brought together, and while Mordecai was passing his time at the king’s gate,

New Revised Standard Version
When the virgins were being gathered together, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when the virgins were gathered the second time, Murdacai was sitting in the gate of the King.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, and Mordecai sat in the king's gate--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But Mardochaeus served in the palace.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Esther Becomes Queen
18Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty. 19When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed. She obeyed Mordecai’s command, as she had done under his care.…

Cross References
Esther 3:2
All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.

Esther 6:2
And there it was found recorded that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the king’s entrance, when they had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

Esther 8:15
Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.

Esther 10:3
For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.

Nehemiah 2:10
But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.

Nehemiah 13:28
Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me.

Daniel 6:3
Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Daniel 6:4
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.

1 Samuel 10:24
Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

1 Kings 1:35
Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”

2 Chronicles 36:22-23
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

Ezra 4:6
At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

Proverbs 29:26
Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.

Matthew 27:17-18
So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” / For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

Mark 15:10
For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

the virgins.

Esther 2:3,4
And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: …

sat in the king's gate.

Esther 2:21
In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

Esther 3:2,3
And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence…

Esther 5:13
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

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Assembled Doorway Gate Gathered House King's Mordecai Mor'decai Sat Seat Second Sitting Time Together Virgins Women
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Assembled Doorway Gate Gathered House King's Mordecai Mor'decai Sat Seat Second Sitting Time Together Virgins Women
Esther 2
1. Out of the choice of virgins a queen is to be chosen.
5. Mordecai the nursing father of Esther.
8. Esther preferred before the rest.
12. The manner of purification, and going in to the king.
15. Esther, best pleasing the king, is made queen.
21. Mordecai, discovering a treason, is recorded in the chronicles.














When the virgins were assembled a second time
This phrase indicates a continuation of the process that began in Esther 2:8, where young women were gathered for King Xerxes' selection of a new queen. The "second time" suggests that this was a recurring event, possibly to replenish the harem or to find additional candidates for the king's favor. Historically, Persian kings were known for their large harems, and this practice aligns with the customs of the time. The gathering of virgins underscores the king's authority and the societal norms that placed women in positions of subservience, highlighting the cultural backdrop against which Esther's account unfolds.

Mordecai
Mordecai is a central figure in the Book of Esther, a Jew living in Susa, the Persian capital. His presence in the narrative is significant, as he is both Esther's cousin and her adoptive father. The name "Mordecai" is believed to be of Babylonian origin, possibly linked to the god Marduk, reflecting the Jewish diaspora's integration into Persian society. Mordecai's role is pivotal, as he not only guides Esther but also plays a crucial part in the deliverance of the Jewish people. His character exemplifies faithfulness, wisdom, and courage, serving as an inspirational model for believers.

was sitting at the king’s gate
The "king’s gate" was more than just an entrance; it was a place of official business and legal transactions in ancient Persia. Sitting at the gate implies that Mordecai held a position of some authority or responsibility, possibly as an official or a judge. This location is significant in the narrative, as it is where Mordecai overhears the plot against the king, leading to a series of events that ultimately result in the salvation of the Jewish people. The gate symbolizes a place of vigilance and duty, where Mordecai's faithfulness and integrity are on display. His presence there is a reminder of God's providence and the importance of being in the right place at the right time to fulfill one's divine purpose.

(19) And when the virgins . . .--Here begins a fresh incident in the history, whose date we cannot fix precisely, save that it falls between the marriage of Esther and the twelfth year of Ahasuerus (Esther 3:7). The king "loved Esther above all the women," but how the word "love "is degraded in this connection is seen by the fact that after she had been his wife certainly less (possibly much less) than five years, there takes place a second gathering of virgins (there is no article in the Hebrew), like the one previously mentioned (Esther 2:2). We should treat Esther 2:20 as parenthetical, and join Esther 2:21 closely to Esther 2:19.

Then Mordecai sat.--Translate, and Mordecai was sitting. . . .

Verse 19. - When the virgins were gathered together. Rather, "When virgins." There is no article. The fact seems to be mentioned simply as furnishing a date, and we must suppose both that there was a second gathering, and that the time when it happened was generally known to the Jews and Persians. Then Mordecai sat, etc. The three verses, 19, 20, 21, hang together, and form a single sentence: "When virgins were gathered together a second time, and Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate - now Esther had not showed her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther did the command of Mordecai like as when she was brought up with him - in those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, being of the number of them which kept the threshold, were wroth," etc.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the virgins
בְּתוּל֖וֹת (bə·ṯū·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1330: A virgin, sometimes, a bride

were assembled
וּבְהִקָּבֵ֥ץ (ū·ḇə·hiq·qā·ḇêṣ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

a second [time],
שֵׁנִ֑ית (šê·nîṯ)
Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

Mordecai
וּמָרְדֳּכַ֖י (ū·mā·rə·do·ḵay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4782: Mordecai -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also a cousin of Esther

was sitting
יֹשֵׁ֥ב (yō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

at the King’s
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Gate.
בְּשַֽׁעַר־ (bə·ša·‘ar-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate


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OT History: Esther 2:19 When the virgins were gathered together (Est Esth. Es)
Esther 2:18
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