Esther 2:12

Authorized King James Version

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;)

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּבְהַגִּ֡יעַ

H5060

was come

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

תֹּר֩

H8447

turn

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

וְנַֽעֲרָ֜ה

H5291

Now when every maid's

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

וְנַֽעֲרָ֜ה

H5291

Now when every maid's

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

לָב֣וֹא׀

H935

to go in

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

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ

H4428

to king

a king

אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ

H325

Ahasuerus

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

מִקֵּץ֩

H7093

after

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

#10

הֱי֨וֹת

H1961

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

#11

לָ֜הּ

#12

כְּדָ֤ת

H1881

according to the manner

a royal edict or statute

#13

הַנָּשִֽׁים׃

H802

of the women

a woman

#14

שְׁנֵ֣ים

H8147

that she had been twelve

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

#15

עָשָׂ֣ר

H6240

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

#16

חֳדָשִׁים֙

H2320

months

the new moon; by implication, a month

#17

כִּ֛י

H3588

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

#18

כֵּ֥ן

H3651

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

#19

יִמְלְא֖וּ

H4390

accomplished

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

#20

יְמֵ֣י

H3117

for so were the days

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

#21

מְרֽוּקֵיהֶ֑ן

H4795

of their purifications

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

#22

וְשִׁשָּׁ֤ה

H8337

and six

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

#23

חֳדָשִׁים֙

H2320

months

the new moon; by implication, a month

#24

בְּשֶׁ֣מֶן

H8081

with oil

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

#25

הַמֹּ֔ר

H4753

of myrrh

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

#26

וְשִׁשָּׁ֤ה

H8337

and six

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

#27

חֳדָשִׁים֙

H2320

months

the new moon; by implication, a month

#28

בַּבְּשָׂמִ֔ים

H1314

with sweet odours

fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant

#29

וּבְתַמְרוּקֵ֖י

H8562

and with other things for the purifying

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

#30

הַנָּשִֽׁים׃

H802

of the women

a woman

Analysis

Within the broader context of Esther, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Esther.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Esther Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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