He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother.
The maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
So, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to the citadel of Susa, to the custody of Hegai, Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.