King James Version

What Does Esther 2:12 Mean?

Esther 2:12 in the King James Version says “Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the ... — study this verse from Esther chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

Esther 2:12 · KJV


Context

10

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.

11

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. to know: Heb. to know the peace

12

Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

13

Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.

14

In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) The twelve-month preparation period reveals both the elaborate nature of Persian royal culture and the extended timeline over which God's providence operates. The "purifications" (tamruqim, תַּמְרוּקִים) involved six months with "oil of myrrh" (shemen hamor, שֶׁמֶן הַמֹּר) and six months with "sweet odours" (besamim, בְּשָׂמִים) and other cosmetic treatments. This regimen served both beautification and practical purposes (removing body hair, softening skin, applying fragrances). The year-long process also ensured virginity and acclimated maidens to palace life. This extended preparation parallels spiritual truth: God often prepares His servants through prolonged seasons of formation before critical service.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient beauty treatments described in classical sources included oil baths, perfumed ointments, cosmetic applications, special diets, and physical training. Myrrh oil was prized for its fragrance and skin-softening properties. The second six months' "sweet odours" included perfumes like frankincense, spikenard, and other aromatic oils and spices. Archaeological discoveries confirm extensive ancient Near Eastern cosmetic industries producing the oils, perfumes, and treatments described here. The resource expenditure for this process was enormous—twelve months of luxury cosmetics for potentially hundreds of candidates demonstrates Persian imperial wealth. The elaborate preparation also created competitive advantages for those, like Esther, who received preferential treatment and superior products through Hegai's favor (v. 9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the year-long preparation period illustrate that God's providence often operates through extended seasons of formation rather than instant qualification?
  2. What does this teach about patiently trusting God's timing when preparation seems protracted and outcomes uncertain?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וּבְהַגִּ֡יעַ1 of 30

was come

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

תֹּר֩2 of 30

turn

H8447

a succession, i.e., a string or (abstractly) order

וְנַֽעֲרָ֜ה3 of 30

Now when every maid's

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

וְנַֽעֲרָ֜ה4 of 30

Now when every maid's

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

לָב֣וֹא׀5 of 30

to go in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל6 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ7 of 30

to king

H4428

a king

אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ8 of 30

Ahasuerus

H325

achashverosh (i.e., ahasuerus or artaxerxes, but in this case xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a persian king

מִקֵּץ֩9 of 30

after

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

הֱי֨וֹת10 of 30
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָ֜הּ11 of 30
H0
כְּדָ֤ת12 of 30

according to the manner

H1881

a royal edict or statute

הַנָּשִֽׁים׃13 of 30

of the women

H802

a woman

שְׁנֵ֣ים14 of 30

that she had been twelve

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֣ר15 of 30
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

חֳדָשִׁים֙16 of 30

months

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

כִּ֛י17 of 30
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֵּ֥ן18 of 30
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יִמְלְא֖וּ19 of 30

accomplished

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יְמֵ֣י20 of 30

for so were the days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מְרֽוּקֵיהֶ֑ן21 of 30

of their purifications

H4795

properly, rubbed; but used abstractly, a rubbing (with perfumery)

וְשִׁשָּׁ֤ה22 of 30

and six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

חֳדָשִׁים֙23 of 30

months

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

בְּשֶׁ֣מֶן24 of 30

with oil

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

הַמֹּ֔ר25 of 30

of myrrh

H4753

myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter)

וְשִׁשָּׁ֤ה26 of 30

and six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

חֳדָשִׁים֙27 of 30

months

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

בַּבְּשָׂמִ֔ים28 of 30

with sweet odours

H1314

fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant

וּבְתַמְרוּקֵ֖י29 of 30

and with other things for the purifying

H8562

properly, a scouring, i.e., soap or perfumery for the bath; figuratively, a detergent

הַנָּשִֽׁים׃30 of 30

of the women

H802

a woman


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 2:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 2:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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