Esther 2:12
What does Esther 2:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:12 means
Before a maiden’s turn with the king, a full year of treatments is required: six months with myrrh oil and six with aromatic perfumes and other preparations. The verse displays Persian luxury and the slow, calculated nature of royal selection. Beauty is manufactured and perfected over time, highlighting the empire’s pursuit of refinement and spectacle. The length of preparation also means that months pass between the decree and any decision, giving the story time to develop. This sustained process magnifies the costliness of the harem system and the gravity of a woman’s night with the king—afterward, her status and future would be largely fixed by his response.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women twelve months (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with the things for the purifying of the women),
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now 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;)
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women twelve months (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with the things for the purifying of the women),
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now every girl, when her turn came, had to go in to King Ahasuerus, after undergoing, for a space of twelve months, what was ordered by the law for the women (for this was the time necessary for making them clean, that is, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet perfumes and such things as are needed for making women clean):
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And in the drawing nigh of the turn of each young woman to come in unto the king Ahasuerus, at the end of there being to her--according to the law of the women--twelve months, for so they fulfil the days of their purifications; six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices, and with the purifications of women,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now when every virgin's turn came to go in to the king, after all had been done for setting them off to advantage, it was the twelfth month: so that for six months they were anointed with oil of myrrh, and for other six months they used certain perfumes and sweet spices.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when every maiden's turn came to go in to king Ahasuerus after that she had been treated for twelve months, according to the manner of the women (for so were the days of their purification accomplished — six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices, and with things for the purifying of the women,
Context
Mordecai’s watchfulness gives way to a description of the harem’s regimen. Verses 12–14 detail the procedure each woman follows. These details explain why Esther’s favor with Hegai (verse 9) and her restraint (verse 15) will be decisive. Understanding the long preparation and the finality of the night helps readers feel the stakes as Esther approaches her turn before the king.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 7:37
And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
- Isaiah 57:9
And thou wentest to the king with oil, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thine ambassadors far off, and didst debase thyself even unto Sheol.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:4
that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
- Proverbs 7:17
I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
- Song of Solomon 3:6
Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all powders of the merchant?