Definition: 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;)

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Esther 2:12. It's a really interesting and dramatic scene! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: A Royal Problem: King Ahasuerus (a powerful ruler) is having an affair with a beautiful woman named Gizhen. This is a big problem because it threatens the stability of his kingdom. Women’s Purification: Because of this affair, the king decides to purify the women in the palace – essentially, they need to be cleansed and separated from him. He instructs the royal servants to do this for six months with oil of myrrh (a fragrant perfume) and six months with sweet aromas. This is a symbolic cleansing ritual. Now, let’s unpack the details: “When every maid’s turn was come…” – This means that all the women in the palace were being called to go to the king. “…to go in to king Ahasuerus…” - They were going to see him. “…after that she had been twelve months…” – This is a crucial point. Esther was waiting for 12 months before the king decided to do this purification. "...according to the manner of the women..." - This tells us it wasn't just a random choice. The women’s purification was part of a specific, established ritual. "(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;)" – This is where it gets really significant. The passage describes the specific rituals they were doing: Oil of Myrrh: A fragrant perfume used to cleanse and purify. Sweet Odours: Similar to the perfume, these were meant to be a cleansing process. Other things for the purifying of the women: This suggests there might have been additional steps or preparations involved in this ritual. Overall Meaning & Significance: This passage highlights a few important themes: Divine Justice: The king's actions, though perhaps harsh, are guided by God’s justice and a desire to maintain order and stability within his kingdom. Faith and Obedience: Esther demonstrates incredible faith and obedience to the king's instructions. She understands that this is a necessary part of the process. Symbolic Cleansing: It represents a symbolic cleansing of the kingdom, not just for the women, but for the entire nation. In short, this verse describes a carefully orchestrated purification ritual – a symbolic cleansing of the court to maintain order and prevent a potential crisis. --- Do you want me to explain any specific part of this passage in more detail, or would you like me to connect it to a particular biblical story or theme? For example, are you interested in: The significance of Esther herself? How this relates to the story of David and Bathsheba?