Translations
Modern
In the twelve months before her turn to go to King Xerxes, the harem regulation required each young woman to receive beauty treatments with oil of myrrh for six months, and then with perfumes and cosmetics for another six months.
Traditional
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;)
Literal
And in the approaching of the turn of young woman by young woman to come in to King Ahasuerus, from the end of her being there, according to the law of the women, two and ten months—for thus were filled the days of their beautification: Six months with the oil of myrrh, and six months with the spices and with the cosmetics of women.
Latin
Cum autem venisset tempus singularum per ordinem puellarum ut intrarent ad regem, expletis omnibus quæ ad cultum muliebrem pertinebant, mensis duodecimus vertebatur: ita dumtaxat, ut sex mensibus oleo ungerentur myrrhino, et aliis sex quibusdam pigmentis et aromatibus uterentur.
Original
Hebrew
English
In the twelve months before her turn to go to King Xerxes, the harem regulation required each young woman to receive beauty treatments with oil of myrrh for six months, and then with perfumes and cosmetics for another six months.
Notes
The twelve months of preparation likely included learning court customs and beauty treatments. However, the main focus was on physical beauty.
Theme notes and profiles
People
Ahasuerus: Persian Emperor (probably Xerxes I); husband of Esther
Glossary
Book of Esther Chamberlain Family Life and Relations Oil Ointment
Topics
Anointing of the Body Anointing was Used for Purifying the Body Chamberlain: An officer of a King Marriage: Wives Taken by Edict Medo-Persian Kingdom: Peculiar Customs In Months: The Year Composed of Twelve Myrrh used As a Perfume Oil: Kinds of, Mentioned: Myrrh Ointment: Not Sacred Purification for Women: Before Marriage Wearing Makeup