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 2:12KJV
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Esther 2:12 (KJV)

What does Esther 2:12 mean?

Esther 2:12 explains that before each young woman could meet King Ahasuerus, she had to complete a year-long period of beauty treatments—six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and other preparations. This was the standard process for women brought to the king’s palace as potential queens.

This verse describes the careful and lengthy preparation required for the women in the Persian royal court. The writer is narrating the customs of the time, showing how much emphasis was placed on ritual purification and appearance before anyone could approach the king. It sets the scene for Esther’s own introduction to the king and highlights the elaborate traditions of the Persian empire.

The Hebrew behind Esther 2:12

  • "Purifications" (טַהֲרוּת, taharut): This word means cleansing or purification, emphasizing that the process was not just about beauty but also ritual cleanliness according to Persian custom.
  • "Oil of myrrh" (שֶׁמֶן מֹר, shemen mor): Myrrh oil was used for its fragrance and possibly for its preservative and skin-softening qualities, showing the luxury and care involved.
  • "Odours" (בְּשָׂמִים, besamim): This refers to aromatic spices or perfumes, underlining that the treatments were both practical and symbolic, preparing the women for royal presence.
  • "Manner" (דַּת, dat): This word means law or custom, indicating that this process was not optional but a required tradition for all women brought before the king.

Why Esther 2:12 matters

  • Esther 2:12 clears up the misconception that Esther’s selection was quick or casual; it shows the process was formal, lengthy, and involved strict customs.
  • The verse highlights the power and wealth of the Persian empire, where even the preparation of potential queens was a year-long affair.
  • Understanding this background helps the reader appreciate the significance of Esther’s later favor with the king, as she went through the same process as all the other women.

Where else these words appear

“turn” Hebrew H8447 · used in 4 verses

  • Esther 2:15 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.
  • Song of Solomon 1:10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
  • Song of Solomon 1:11 We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

“purifying” Hebrew H8562 · used in 4 verses

  • Esther 2:3 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 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
  • Proverbs 20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

“myrrh” Hebrew H4753 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
  • Song of Solomon 1:13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
  • Song of Solomon 4:14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

“manner” Hebrew H1881 · used in 21 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
  • Esther 2:8 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 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.