John Gill Commentary Esther 2:8

"So it came to pass, when the king`s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king`s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women." — Esther 2:8 (ASV)

So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and decree was
heard
In the several provinces of his kingdom:

and when many maidens were gathered to Shushan the palace, to the
custody of Hegai ;
Josephus ^F15 says, there were gathered to the number of four hundred:

that Esther was brought also to the king's house, to the custody of
Hegai, the keeper of the women :
by force, as Aben Ezra and the former Targum, and so the word is sometimes used.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F15: Ibid. (Antiqu. l. 11. c. 6. sect. 2.)