Boy Old Testament Rare
Hegai
or Hege, meditation; word; groaning; separation
הֵגֵא he.ge
Hegai (Hebrew: הֵגֵא, he.ge) means “or Hege, meditation; word; groaning; separation”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 3 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Abihail in Esther 2.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Hegai
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 3 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Second Temple
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Esther 2:3 |
| Last appears | Esther 2:15 |
| Cross-references | 29 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Abihail co-occurrence Appears with Abihail in Esther 2.
- Esther co-occurrence Appears with Esther in Esther 2.
- Jair co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Jair.
- Shimei co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Shimei.
- Shaashgaz co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Shaashgaz.
- Kish co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Kish.
- Teresh co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Teresh.
- Bigthan co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Bigthan.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Est.2.3
§ Hegai or Hege = "eunuch"
one of the eunuchs of the court of Ahasuerus
Hegai was a eunuch in charge of King Ahasuerus' harem, responsible for preparing Esther for her night with the king.
The biblical story
Hegai was a eunuch who served in the court of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) of Persia. He was in charge of the king's harem, which was the living quarters for the king's concubines and prospective brides. When Esther was brought into the king's harem, Hegai was responsible for her care and preparation (Est.2.3,8). He provided Esther with cosmetics, special food, and seven choice maidservants from the king's palace (Est.2.9). Hegai was also instrumental in advising Esther on how to approach the king and win his favor (Est.2.15). Esther found favor with Hegai and received the best place in the harem (Est.2.9). (Est.2.3,8,15).
Key verses
Hegai appears in 3 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
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:
Esther 2:3 -
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 brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Esther 2:8 -
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
Esther 2:15
Show all 3 references
Esther (3)
- Esther 2:3
- Esther 2:8
- Esther 2:15