Hege
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Topical Encyclopedia
Hege, also known as Hegai, is a figure mentioned in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament. He is identified as a eunuch who served in the Persian court during the reign of King Ahasuerus, commonly identified with Xerxes I. Hege's role is significant in the narrative of Esther, as he is entrusted with the care of the women in the king's harem.

Biblical Reference:
Hege is mentioned in Esther 2:8-15. The Berean Standard Bible provides the following account: "When the king’s command and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and placed under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who was in charge of the harem" (Esther 2:8).

Role and Responsibilities:
Hege's primary responsibility was to oversee the harem, which included the care and preparation of the women who were candidates to become queen. This involved providing them with beauty treatments and ensuring they were well-prepared to meet the king. Esther 2:9 notes, "The young woman pleased him and gained his favor, so he quickly provided her with beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven chosen attendants from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem."

Significance in Esther's Story:
Hege's favor towards Esther is a pivotal element in the narrative. His favorable treatment of her, as described in Esther 2:9, suggests that he recognized something special in her, which aligns with the providential theme of the Book of Esther. His actions facilitated Esther's eventual rise to become queen, a position that enabled her to play a crucial role in the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the Persian Empire, eunuchs like Hege were often placed in positions of trust and authority within the royal court. Their status as eunuchs made them ideal for roles that required loyalty and discretion, particularly in sensitive areas such as the royal harem. The presence of eunuchs in such positions is well-documented in ancient Near Eastern cultures, reflecting the historical accuracy of the biblical account.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, Hege's role in the account of Esther highlights the theme of divine providence. Although Hege himself is not a central character, his actions contribute to the unfolding of God's plan for the preservation of His people. The favor he shows Esther can be seen as part of the divine orchestration that leads to the salvation of the Jews, demonstrating how God can use individuals in positions of influence to achieve His purposes.

In summary, Hege is a minor yet significant character in the Book of Esther, whose actions and favor towards Esther play a crucial role in the narrative. His position as a eunuch in the Persian court underscores the historical and cultural context of the account, while also contributing to the overarching theme of divine providence in the biblical text.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Hege

another form of the preceding (Esther 2:3)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HEGAI; HEGE

he'-ga-i, he'-ge (heghay; Gai (Esther 2:8, 15), and heghe', Hege (Esther 2:3)): One of the officers of the Persian king Ahasuerus; a chamberlain or eunuch (keeper of women), into whose custody the "fair young virgins" were delivered from whom the king intended to choose his queen in the place of the discredited Vashti.

Strong's Hebrew
1896. Hege' -- eunuch of Ahasuerus
... 1895, 1896. Hege'. 1896a . eunuch of Ahasuerus. Transliteration: Hege' Phonetic
Spelling: (hay-gay') Short Definition: Hegai. Hegai, Hege ...
/hebrew/1896.htm - 5k

1896a. Hege -- eunuch of Ahasuerus
... 1896, 1896a. Hege. 1896b . eunuch of Ahasuerus. Transliteration: Hege Short
Definition: Hegai. ... 1896, 1896a. Hege. 1896b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1896a.htm - 5k

Thesaurus
Hege (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia HEGAI; HEGE. he'-ga-i, he ... discredited Vashti.
Multi-Version Concordance Hege (1 Occurrence). Esther 2 ...
/h/hege.htm - 7k

Hegai (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Eunuch, had charge of the harem of Ahasuerus
(Esther 2:8). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HEGAI; HEGE. ...
/h/hegai.htm - 8k

Inspectors (10 Occurrences)
... and they gather every young woman -- virgin, of good appearance -- unto Shushan
the palace, unto the house of the women, unto the hand of Hege eunuch of the ...
/i/inspectors.htm - 10k

Purifications (3 Occurrences)
... and they gather every young woman -- virgin, of good appearance -- unto Shushan
the palace, unto the house of the women, unto the hand of Hege eunuch of the ...
/p/purifications.htm - 7k

Chamberlain (14 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/c/chamberlain.htm - 14k

Collect (24 Occurrences)
... of his kingdom, that they may collect all the fair young virgins to Shushan the
palace, to the house of the women, into the custody of Hege the king's ...
/c/collect.htm - 14k

Hegemonides

/h/hegemonides.htm - 6k

Purification (25 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/p/purification.htm - 18k

Fair (147 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/f/fair.htm - 40k

Appearance (126 Occurrences)
... and they gather every young woman -- virgin, of good appearance -- unto Shushan
the palace, unto the house of the women, unto the hand of Hege eunuch of the ...
/a/appearance.htm - 41k

Resources
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Concordance
Hege (1 Occurrence)

Esther 2:3
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:
(KJV WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Hege

Related Terms

Gerrenians

Hege (1 Occurrence)

Heglam (1 Occurrence)

Hegai: Chamberlain of Ahasuerus
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