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;)
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;) The twelve-month preparation period reveals both the elaborate nature of Persian royal culture and the extended timeline over which God's providence operates. The "purifications" (tamruqim, תַּמְרוּקִים) involved six months with "oil of myrrh" (shemen hamor, שֶׁמֶן הַמֹּר) and six months with "sweet odours" (besamim, בְּשָׂמִים) and other cosmetic treatments. This regimen served both beautification and practical purposes (removing body hair, softening skin, applying fragrances). The year-long process also ensured virginity and acclimated maidens to palace life. This extended preparation parallels spiritual truth: God often prepares His servants through prolonged seasons of formation before critical service.
Historical Context
Ancient beauty treatments described in classical sources included oil baths, perfumed ointments, cosmetic applications, special diets, and physical training. Myrrh oil was prized for its fragrance and skin-softening properties. The second six months' "sweet odours" included perfumes like frankincense, spikenard, and other aromatic oils and spices. Archaeological discoveries confirm extensive ancient Near Eastern cosmetic industries producing the oils, perfumes, and treatments described here. The resource expenditure for this process was enormous—twelve months of luxury cosmetics for potentially hundreds of candidates demonstrates Persian imperial wealth. The elaborate preparation also created competitive advantages for those, like Esther, who received preferential treatment and superior products through Hegai's favor (v. 9).
Questions for Reflection
How does the year-long preparation period illustrate that God's providence often operates through extended seasons of formation rather than instant qualification?
What does this teach about patiently trusting God's timing when preparation seems protracted and outcomes uncertain?
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Analysis & Commentary
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;) The twelve-month preparation period reveals both the elaborate nature of Persian royal culture and the extended timeline over which God's providence operates. The "purifications" (tamruqim, תַּמְרוּקִים) involved six months with "oil of myrrh" (shemen hamor, שֶׁמֶן הַמֹּר) and six months with "sweet odours" (besamim, בְּשָׂמִים) and other cosmetic treatments. This regimen served both beautification and practical purposes (removing body hair, softening skin, applying fragrances). The year-long process also ensured virginity and acclimated maidens to palace life. This extended preparation parallels spiritual truth: God often prepares His servants through prolonged seasons of formation before critical service.