Esther 2:12 kjv
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 nkjv
Each young woman's turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months' preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.
Esther 2:12 niv
Before a young woman's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.
Esther 2:12 esv
Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women ?
Esther 2:12 nlt
Before each young woman was taken to the king's bed, she was given the prescribed twelve months of beauty treatments ? six months with oil of myrrh, followed by six months with special perfumes and ointments.
Esther 2 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Pet 3:3-4 | Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart… | Contrasts outward adornment with inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. |
| Prov 31:30 | Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. | Warns against relying solely on physical beauty, emphasizes fear of the Lord. |
| Song 4:13-14 | Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits, henna with spikenard, spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices. | Mentions various spices, including myrrh, in a context of beloved's beauty. |
| Ps 45:13-14 | The king's daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is interwoven with gold. She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors... | Depicts a royal bride adorned for the King, emphasizing glory and preparation. |
| Eph 5:26-27 | that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing… | Christ purifying His Church for presentation, akin to a bride for her groom. |
| Rev 19:7-8 | "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright… | The Bride (Church) preparing herself for the Lamb's wedding, symbolizing purity. |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. | Paul's desire to present believers pure to Christ, reflecting bridal imagery. |
| Ex 30:22-25 | "You shall take for yourself the chief spices: five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh...and you shall make of these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer." | Details use of myrrh and other spices for sacred anointing oil in the tabernacle. |
| Mk 14:3 | And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard; and she broke the flask and poured it on His head. | Anointing with expensive oils as an act of devotion and preparation (for burial). |
| Lk 7:38 | and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. | Anointing as an act of reverence and devotion. |
| Jer 4:30 | And when you are plundered, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with crimson, though you adorn yourself with ornaments of gold, though you enlarge your eyes with paint, in vain you will make yourself beautiful… | Speaks of vain external beautification. |
| Is 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted… | Prophetic anointing of Messiah for spiritual service, contrasts with physical. |
| Lev 14:15-18 | The priest shall take some of the log of oil and pour it into the palm of his own left hand. Then the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil… | Oil used in ritual purification ceremonies for cleansing. |
| Gen 24:53 | Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver and jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother. | Adornment and gifts for a potential bride in an ancient Near Eastern context. |
| 1 Tim 2:9-10 | in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but with good works, as is proper for women professing godliness. | Calls for modesty and emphasizes good works over lavish outward display. |
| Ps 23:5 | You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. | Anointing with oil symbolizes blessing, honor, and refreshment. |
| Mt 6:17 | But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face… | Anointing used for common practice or to conceal fasting, showing daily usage. |
| Job 28:15-17 | It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire. Neither gold nor crystal can equal it… | Highlights the surpassing value of wisdom over material preciousness. |
| Hos 2:13 | I will punish her for the days of the Baals to which she burned incense, where she decked herself with her earrings and jewelry, and went after her lovers; but Me she forgot,” says the Lord. | Uses lavish adornment metaphorically for spiritual unfaithfulness. |
| Num 6:1-21 | Details the Nazarite vow, which involved restrictions on grooming, contrasting self-denial with external focus. | The Nazarite vow of separation, which contrasts with indulgent practices. |
| Zech 1:11 | "We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting and in quietness." | (Less direct) The long period of 'resting' could symbolically relate to Esther's waiting period, a time of quiet before action. |
| Lk 1:80 | So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel. | (Less direct) A lengthy period of preparation or 'hiddenness' before divine purpose is revealed, much like Esther's long preparation. |
Esther 2 verses
Esther 2 12 Meaning
Esther 2:12 details the elaborate and extensive purification and beauty regimen required for the young virgins before their presentation to King Ahasuerus in his harem. This year-long preparation, mandated by court regulations, involved six months of anointing with oil of myrrh for purification and six months with various spices and cosmetics, indicating the extreme importance placed on outward appearance and the lavish nature of the Persian court in selecting the next queen. It highlights a system where women were prepared as objects for royal selection, reflecting the king's vast power and resources.
Esther 2 12 Context
Esther 2:12 describes a specific moment within the grand scheme of finding a new queen for King Ahasuerus following Queen Vashti's dismissal. Chapter 2 opens with the king's renewed anger and his servants' suggestion to gather beautiful virgins from all provinces to Susa, the capital, where they would undergo a rigorous purification and beautification process. This verse particularizes the duration and specific components of this process for each woman, indicating the highly ritualized and materialistic nature of the selection. It immediately precedes Esther's own turn to appear before the king, setting the stage for her favor and subsequent rise. The historical context is the Achaemenid Persian Empire (circa 483-479 BC), a vast dominion characterized by opulent displays of power, strict hierarchical structures, and an administrative system that governed even the king's domestic affairs. The king's harem was not merely a collection of wives but a reflection of his status and authority, and the meticulous preparation of women for royal favor highlights the cultural values and expectations of beauty and compliance in that era.
Esther 2 12 Word analysis
Now when every maiden's turn came: Signifies a systematic, ordered, and rotational process, highlighting the sheer number of women involved and the king's prerogative.
to go in to King Ahasuerus: Implies entrance into the king's personal chambers, suggesting the culmination of their preparation was for this solitary audience with the monarch.
after she had completed twelve months' preparation: A significant, extended duration (a full year). This period indicates the thoroughness and gravity of the regimen, as well as the substantial resources allocated for this purpose. It reflects the meticulous attention to detail within the Persian administrative system.
according to the regulations for the women: (
mishpaṭ- מִשְׁפָּט, "judgment," "custom," "regulation"). This underscores the formal, lawful, and established nature of these beauty treatments. It wasn't arbitrary but a codified part of the court's protocol for women chosen for the harem.for thus were the days of their anointing completed: (
tamarqeyhon- תַּמְרוּקֵיהֶם, "their cleansings," "their beautifying anointments"). This refers specifically to the various washes, oils, and cosmetic applications. The term suggests purification and polishing, making the skin and body ready.six months with oil of myrrh: (
mor- מֹר). Myrrh is an aromatic gum resin, highly valued for its fragrance, medicinal properties, and preservative qualities (used in embalming). Here, it was likely used as a cleansing agent, disinfectant, skin conditioner, and perfume. Its slightly bitter scent was also prized. Myrrh's significance extends to biblical prophecies and New Testament events, where it was presented as a gift to Jesus and used in His burial. Its use here for a full six months emphasizes deep cleansing and saturation of the skin.and six months with spices and other preparations for women: (
besamim- בְּשָׂמִים, "spices," "perfumes";tamrûqê- תַּמְרוּקֵי, "preparations," "cosmetics"). This period involved a diverse range of aromatic herbs, scented powders, lotions, and other beautifying agents. This speaks to the sophistication of Persian cosmetic practices and the immense resources dedicated to perfecting the appearance of these women. The preparations likely aimed to soften skin, enhance natural beauty, and leave a lasting fragrance.Words-group Analysis:
- "twelve months' preparation, according to the regulations for the women": This phrase highlights the systematic, non-arbitrary nature of the process. It was a well-defined part of court protocol, underscoring the women's role as commodities undergoing a prescribed refinement process for the king's pleasure and selection. This regulated period contrasts with any notion of personal choice or individual journey for these women; their role was strictly defined by royal decree.
- "six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices and other preparations": This two-part, year-long regimen signifies a dual focus. The initial six months with myrrh points to a deep cleansing and foundational preparation, perhaps also linked to purity rites in ancient cultures (though this context is pagan). The subsequent six months with "spices and other preparations" then shifts to enhancing beauty, perfecting fragrance, and adorning the outer appearance. It indicates a meticulous, layered process designed to achieve an optimal physical presentation for the king, highlighting the extreme emphasis on physical aesthetics in the Persian court.
Esther 2 12 Bonus section
- The elaborate "beautification" ritual, while focused on physical allure, can be seen as a form of cultural 'purification.' In contrast, biblical purification rites are often linked to spiritual or ceremonial cleanness for the purpose of approaching a holy God. Here, the cleansing is for human pleasure and status.
- The extensive nature of this preparation, a full year, meant these women lived entirely within the confines of the harem under Hegai's supervision, fully immersed in the king's regulations. This separation and conditioning ensured compliance and readiness for their sole purpose.
- Myrrh was associated with embalming and funerary rites (John 19:39) due to its preservative and aromatic qualities. Its use here for cleansing could carry a symbolic, though not direct, association with ritual purity or preparing the body, albeit for a very different "purpose" than spiritual consecration or burial.
- The king's immense wealth is implicit in the ability to afford such luxurious, protracted beauty treatments for potentially hundreds of women, signifying the extreme disparity between the monarch and common people.
Esther 2 12 Commentary
Esther 2:12 provides a vivid, detailed glimpse into the opulent yet objectifying practices of the ancient Persian court, specifically concerning the selection of a new queen. The year-long preparation period underscores the meticulous attention paid to external appearance, signaling the ultimate value placed on physical beauty and sensuality by King Ahasuerus. The specific mention of "oil of myrrh" for half the duration suggests a focus on cleansing, purification, and preserving the skin, while "spices and other preparations" indicate a transition to enhancement and perfuming. This systematic process transforms women into perfected objects for the king's approval, starkly contrasting with biblical values that prioritize inner beauty, character, and spiritual devotion over outward display. The passage reveals the king's immense power, resources, and the elaborate mechanisms of his court, simultaneously setting the stage for Esther's entry into this very world, unprepared in outward influence but uniquely chosen by God.