Esther 2:13
What does Esther 2:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 2:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 2:13 means
When a maiden finally approaches the king, she may take whatever she desires from the women’s house for her presentation. The policy invites self-styling: ornaments, garments, and perfumes of her choosing to maximize appeal. Humanly speaking, success depends on personal strategy. Yet the narrative will soon show Esther declining this freedom, relying instead on Hegai’s seasoned counsel. The verse underscores that royal favor is often pursued by outward enhancement and calculated impression. Against this backdrop, the beauty of discretion and trust will shine more clearly in Esther’s case, suggesting that true favor rests not merely on adornment but on wisdom and grace that others recognize.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000then in this wise came the 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901then in this wise came the 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And in this way the girl went in to the king; whatever she had a desire for was given to her to take with her from the women's house into the house of the king.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and with this the young woman hath come in unto the king, all that she saith is given to her, to go in with her, out of the house of the women, unto the house of the king;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when they were going in to the king, whatsoever they asked to adorn themselves they received: and being decked out, as it pleased them, they passed from the chamber of the women to the king's chamber.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and thus came the maiden in unto the king), whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women to the king's house.
Context
Verse 13 continues the procedural description begun in verse 12, setting the norm for how women approach the king. It provides a foil for Esther’s approach in verse 15—she will not press her own preferences. Verse 14 will then explain what happens afterward, further intensifying the stakes of this one opportunity with the king.
v.12Now 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),
v.13This passage
v.14In 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, who kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.