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Selected Verse: Esther 2:12 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Es 2:12	Strong Concordance	Now when every maid's [05291] turn [08447] was come [05060] to go in [0935] to king [04428] Ahasuerus [0325], after [07093] that she had been twelve [08147] [06240] months [02320], according to the manner [01881] of the women [0802], (for so were the days [03117] of their purifications [04795] accomplished [04390], to wit, six [08337] months [02320] with oil [08081] of myrrh [04753], and six [08337] months [02320] with sweet odours [01314], and with other things for the purifying [08562] of the women [0802];)
	King James	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;)

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus--A whole year was spent in preparation for the intended honor. Considering that this took place in a palace, the long period prescribed, together with the profusion of costly and fragrant cosmetics employed, was probably required by state etiquette.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus--A whole year was spent in preparation for the intended honor. Considering that this took place in a palace, the long period prescribed, together with the profusion of costly and fragrant cosmetics employed, was probably required by state etiquette.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
Before relating the appearance of Esther before the king, the narrator more particularly describes in Est 2:12-14 the preparations for this event, and how Esther behaved with respect to them. Est 2:12-13 "When every maid's turn came (i.e., at every time that any maid's turn came) to go in to King Ahashverosh, after the time when it had been done to her twelve months according to the law of the women - for thus were the days of their purification accomplished: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with balsam and ointments of purification for women - and the maiden came to the king, all that she desired was given her to go with her out of the women's house unto the king's house." תּור, turn in succession, used only here and Est 2:15. The turn to go in unto the king did not come to any maid until וגו היות מקּץ, at the end of the time when it had been done to her according to the law ... This time lasted twelve months after her reception into the house of the women; and the law of the women, according to which it was done to her, was, that she should be purified for six months with oil of myrrh, and as long with בּשׂמים, sweet odours and other ointments. בּאה הנּערה וּבזה (Est 2:13) forms the continuation of the antecedent clause commencing with כּהנּיע, or, to speak more correctly, of a second antedecent with which the conclusion כּל־אשׁר את is connected. Some expositors understand בּזה, with the lxx, of the time: illo sc. tempore; others of the condition: hoc modo ornata or ea lege (Cler.), and therefore as parallel in meaning with the כּן of Est 4:16. Either view is admissible and suits the sense, but the latter is more in harmony with the parallel passage Est 4:16, and therefore preferable. All that was to be given her, can only relate to ornaments and jewels, which were to be given that each might appear before the king adorned and dressed after her own taste. Est 2:14 In the evening she went (to the king), and on the morrow she returned to the women's house, a second (time) to the hand (under the keeping of) Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines; she came no more to the king, except the king delighted in her and she were called by name, i.e., specially. שׁני instead of שׁנית, like Neh 3:30. Est 2:15 When Esther's turn came to go in unto the king, she required nothing (to take with her, see Est 2:13) but what Hegai the king's chamberlain appointed (hence as not concerned to please the king by special adornment), and she obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her, namely, by her modesty and humility. On חן נשׂא, see remarks on Est 2:9. Est 2:16 She was taken into the king's house (מלכוּת בּית instead of המּלך בּית, the palace of the kingdom, the royal residence) in the tenth month, i.e., the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. Est 2:17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; and he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. The meaning evidently is, that the king, immediately after their first meeting, bestowed his affections upon Esther in preference to all the women and maidens, and chose her queen. Est 2:18 To celebrate Esther's elevation to the crown, the king made a great feast, called Esther's feast, to all his princes and servants, and granted release to the provinces. The verbale Hiph. הנחה is translated in the lxx ἄφεσις, Vulg. requies, and understood either of a remission of taxes or a remission of labour, a holiday. Although the Chald. understands it of a remission of taxes, yet the use of the verb עשׂה rather favours the latter meaning, viz., the appointment of a holiday, on which there would be arresting from labour. Finally, he gave gifts with royal munificence משׂאת like Amo 5:11; Jer 40:5; המּלך כּיד like Est 1:7. - It seems strange that a period of four years should intervene between the repudiation of Vashti in the third year of Ahashverosh and the elevation of Esther in the seventh, an interval whose length cannot be adequately accounted for by the statements of the present book. Only a few days could have elapsed between the disgrace of Vashti and the time when the king remembered her; for this took place, we are told, when the king's wrath was appeased. The proposal to collect virgins from all parts of his kingdom to Susa was then immediately made. Now, if the carrying out of this proposal took half a year, and the preparation of the virgins by anointing, etc., lasted a year, Esther, even if her turn to go in unto the king had not come for six months, might have been made queen two years after the repudiation of Vashti. As she obtained the favour of Hegai immediately upon her reception into the women's house, so that he hastened her purifications (Est 2:9), she would not be brought before the king among the last, but would rather be one of the first to go in. The long interval which elapsed between the repudiation of Vashti and the elevation of Esther, can only be satisfactorily explained by the history of the reign of Xerxes; in fact, by the circumstance that his campaign against Greece took place during this time.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

Before relating the appearance of Esther before the king, the narrator more particularly describes in Est 2:12-14 the preparations for this event, and how Esther behaved with respect to them.

Est 2:12-13

"When every maid's turn came (i.e., at every time that any maid's turn came) to go in to King Ahashverosh, after the time when it had been done to her twelve months according to the law of the women - for thus were the days of their purification accomplished: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with balsam and ointments of purification for women - and the maiden came to the king, all that she desired was given her to go with her out of the women's house unto the king's house." תּור, turn in succession, used only here and Est 2:15. The turn to go in unto the king did not come to any maid until וגו היות מקּץ, at the end of the time when it had been done to her according to the law ... This time lasted twelve months after her reception into the house of the women; and the law of the women, according to which it was done to her, was, that she should be purified for six months with oil of myrrh, and as long with בּשׂמים, sweet odours and other ointments. בּאה הנּערה וּבזה (Est 2:13) forms the continuation of the antecedent clause commencing with כּהנּיע, or, to speak more correctly, of a second antedecent with which the conclusion כּל־אשׁר את is connected. Some expositors understand בּזה, with the lxx, of the time: illo sc. tempore; others of the condition: hoc modo ornata or ea lege (Cler.), and therefore as parallel in meaning with the כּן of Est 4:16. Either view is admissible and suits the sense, but the latter is more in harmony with the parallel passage Est 4:16, and therefore preferable. All that was to be given her, can only relate to ornaments and jewels, which were to be given that each might appear before the king adorned and dressed after her own taste.

Est 2:14

In the evening she went (to the king), and on the morrow she returned to the women's house, a second (time) to the hand (under the keeping of) Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines; she came no more to the king, except the king delighted in her and she were called by name, i.e., specially. שׁני instead of שׁנית, like Neh 3:30.

Est 2:15

When Esther's turn came to go in unto the king, she required nothing (to take with her, see Est 2:13) but what Hegai the king's chamberlain appointed (hence as not concerned to please the king by special adornment), and she obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her, namely, by her modesty and humility. On חן נשׂא, see remarks on Est 2:9.

Est 2:16

She was taken into the king's house (מלכוּת בּית instead of המּלך בּית, the palace of the kingdom, the royal residence) in the tenth month, i.e., the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

Est 2:17

And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; and he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. The meaning evidently is, that the king, immediately after their first meeting, bestowed his affections upon Esther in preference to all the women and maidens, and chose her queen.

Est 2:18

To celebrate Esther's elevation to the crown, the king made a great feast, called Esther's feast, to all his princes and servants, and granted release to the provinces. The verbale Hiph. הנחה is translated in the lxx ἄφεσις, Vulg. requies, and understood either of a remission of taxes or a remission of labour, a holiday. Although the Chald. understands it of a remission of taxes, yet the use of the verb עשׂה rather favours the latter meaning, viz., the appointment of a holiday, on which there would be arresting from labour. Finally, he gave gifts with royal munificence משׂאת like Amo 5:11; Jer 40:5; המּלך כּיד like Est 1:7. - It seems strange that a period of four years should intervene between the repudiation of Vashti in the third year of Ahashverosh and the elevation of Esther in the seventh, an interval whose length cannot be adequately accounted for by the statements of the present book. Only a few days could have elapsed between the disgrace of Vashti and the time when the king remembered her; for this took place, we are told, when the king's wrath was appeased. The proposal to collect virgins from all parts of his kingdom to Susa was then immediately made. Now, if the carrying out of this proposal took half a year, and the preparation of the virgins by anointing, etc., lasted a year, Esther, even if her turn to go in unto the king had not come for six months, might have been made queen two years after the repudiation of Vashti. As she obtained the favour of Hegai immediately upon her reception into the women's house, so that he hastened her purifications (Est 2:9), she would not be brought before the king among the last, but would rather be one of the first to go in. The long interval which elapsed between the repudiation of Vashti and the elevation of Esther, can only be satisfactorily explained by the history of the reign of Xerxes; in fact, by the circumstance that his campaign against Greece took place during this time.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Six months with oil of myrrh - See on Est 2:3 (note). The reason of this purification seems not to be apprehended by any writer I have seen. The most beautiful of all the young virgins of all the provinces of Babylon were to be selected; and these were taken out of all classes of the people, indiscriminately; consequently there must have been many who were brought up in low life. Now we know that those who feed on coarse strong food, which is not easily digested, have generally a copious perspiration, which is strongly odorous; and in many, though in every respect amiable, and even beautiful, this odour is far from being pleasant. Pure, wholesome, easily digested, and nourishing aliment, with the frequent use of the hot bath, continued for twelve months, the body frequently rubbed with olive oil, will in almost every case remove all that is disagreeable of this kind. This treatment will give a healthy action to all the subcutaneous vessels, and in every respect promote health and comfort.

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⁹ And the maiden [05291] pleased [03190] [05869] him, and she obtained [05375] kindness [02617] of him [06440]; and he speedily [0926] gave [05414] her her things for purification [08562], with such things as belonged [04490] to her, and seven [07651] maidens [05291], which were meet [07200] to be given [05414] her, out of the king's [04428] house [01004]: and he preferred [08138] her and her maids [05291] unto the best [02896] place of the house [01004] of the women [0802].

⁷ And they gave them drink [08248] in vessels [03627] of gold [02091], (the vessels [03627] being diverse [08138] one from another [03627],) and royal [04438] wine [03196] in abundance [07227], according to the state [03027] of the king [04428].

⁵ Now while he was not yet gone back [07725], he said, Go back [07725] also to Gedaliah [01436] the son [01121] of Ahikam [0296] the son [01121] of Shaphan [08227], whom the king [04428] of Babylon [0894] hath made governor [06485] over the cities [05892] of Judah [03063], and dwell [03427] with him among [08432] the people [05971]: or go [03212] wheresoever it seemeth convenient [03477] [05869] unto thee to go [03212]. So the captain [07227] of the guard [02876] gave [05414] him victuals [0737] and a reward [04864], and let him go [07971].

¹¹ Forasmuch [03282] therefore as your treading [01318] is upon the poor [01800], and ye take [03947] from him burdens [04864] of wheat [01250]: ye have built [01129] houses [01004] of hewn stone [01496], but ye shall not dwell [03427] in them; ye have planted [05193] pleasant [02531] vineyards [03754], but ye shall not drink [08354] wine [03196] of them.

¹⁸ Then the king [04428] made [06213] a great [01419] feast [04960] unto all his princes [08269] and his servants [05650], even Esther's [0635] feast [04960]; and he made [06213] a release [02010] to the provinces [04082], and gave [05414] gifts [04864], according to the state [03027] of the king [04428].

¹⁷ And the king [04428] loved [0157] Esther [0635] above all the women [0802], and she obtained [05375] grace [02580] and favour [02617] in his sight [06440] more than all the virgins [01330]; so that he set [07760] the royal [04438] crown [03804] upon her head [07218], and made her queen [04427] instead of Vashti [02060].

¹⁶ So Esther [0635] was taken [03947] unto king [04428] Ahasuerus [0325] into his house [01004] royal [04438] in the tenth [06224] month [02320], which is the month [02320] Tebeth [02887], in the seventh [07651] year [08141] of his reign [04438].

¹³ Then thus came [0935] every maiden [05291] unto the king [04428]; whatsoever she desired [0559] was given [05414] her to go [0935] with her out of the house [01004] of the women [0802] unto the king's [04428] house [01004].

¹⁵ Now when the turn [08447] of Esther [0635], the daughter [01323] of Abihail [032] the uncle [01730] of Mordecai [04782], who had taken [03947] her for his daughter [01323], was come [05060] to go in [0935] unto the king [04428], she required [01245] nothing [01697] but what Hegai [01896] the king's [04428] chamberlain [05631], the keeper [08104] of the women [0802], appointed [0559]. And Esther [0635] obtained [05375] favour [02580] in the sight [05869] of all them that looked [07200] upon her.

³⁰ After [0310] him repaired [02388] Hananiah [02608] the son [01121] of Shelemiah [08018], and Hanun [02586] the sixth [08345] son [01121] of Zalaph [06764], another [08145] piece [04060]. After [0310] him repaired [02388] Meshullam [04918] the son [01121] of Berechiah [01296] over against his chamber [05393].

¹⁴ In the evening [06153] she went [0935], and on the morrow [01242] she returned [07725] into the second [08145] house [01004] of the women [0802], to the custody [03027] of Shaashgaz [08190], the king's [04428] chamberlain [05631], which kept [08104] the concubines [06370]: she came in [0935] unto the king [04428] no more, except the king [04428] delighted [02654] in her, and that she were called [07121] by name [08034].

¹⁶ Go [03212], gather together [03664] all the Jews [03064] that are present [04672] in Shushan [07800], and fast [06684] ye for me, and neither eat [0398] nor drink [08354] three [07969] days [03117], night [03915] or day [03117]: I also and my maidens [05291] will fast [06684] likewise; and so [03651] will I go [0935] in unto the king [04428], which is not according to the law [01881]: and if I perish [06], I perish [06].

¹² Now when every maid's [05291] turn [08447] was come [05060] to go in [0935] to king [04428] Ahasuerus [0325], after [07093] that she had been twelve [08147] [06240] months [02320], according to the manner [01881] of the women [0802], (for so were the days [03117] of their purifications [04795] accomplished [04390], to wit, six [08337] months [02320] with oil [08081] of myrrh [04753], and six [08337] months [02320] with sweet odours [01314], and with other things for the purifying [08562] of the women [0802];)
¹³ Then thus came [0935] every maiden [05291] unto the king [04428]; whatsoever she desired [0559] was given [05414] her to go [0935] with her out of the house [01004] of the women [0802] unto the king's [04428] house [01004].
¹⁴ In the evening [06153] she went [0935], and on the morrow [01242] she returned [07725] into the second [08145] house [01004] of the women [0802], to the custody [03027] of Shaashgaz [08190], the king's [04428] chamberlain [05631], which kept [08104] the concubines [06370]: she came in [0935] unto the king [04428] no more, except the king [04428] delighted [02654] in her, and that she were called [07121] by name [08034].

³ And let the king [04428] appoint [06485] officers [06496] in all the provinces [04082] of his kingdom [04438], that they may gather together [06908] all the fair [02896] [04758] young [05291] virgins [01330] unto Shushan [07800] the palace [01002], to the house [01004] of the women [0802], unto the custody [03027] of Hege [01896] the king's [04428] chamberlain [05631], keeper [08104] of the women [0802]; and let their things for purification [08562] be given [05414] them: