SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:12
Y cuando llegaba el tiempo de cada una de las jovenes para venir al rey Asuero, al cabo de haber estado ya doce meses conforme a la ley acerca de las mujeres (porque así se cumplía el tiempo de sus purificaciones, esto es, seis meses con óleo de mirra, y seis meses con cosas aromáticas y aceites de mujeres),
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Esther 2:12
Verse 12. Six months with oil of myrrh] See on ver. 3. 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 odourous; 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. 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 women , etc.] That were prepared in the house of the women to be presented to the king for his liking; for it seems that these virgins came in turns to him, according to the time they had been in the house; as did the wives of the kings of Persia, as Herodotus relates f88 : for so were the days of their purifications accomplished ; that is, in the space of twelve months, which were thus divided: to wit, six months with oil of myrrh ; which Ben Melech interprets of musk: and six month’s with sweet odours ; the former was used to make the skin smooth and soft, and these to remove all ill scents through sweat, or any other cause: and with other things for the purifying of women : by bathing, rubbing, etc. and such a space of time was observed not only for the thorough purification of them, but partly was of state and grandeur, and partly that it might be a clear case they were not with child by another, before they came to the king.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-20 - We see to what absurd practices those came, who were destitute of Divine revelation, and what need there was of the gospel of Christ, to purify men from the lusts of the flesh, and to bring them back to the original institution of marriage. Esther was preferred as queen. Thos who suggest that Esther committed sin to come at this dignity, do no consider the custom of those times and countries. Every one that the king took was married to him, and was his wife, though of a lower rank But how low is human nature sunk, when such as these are the leadin pursuits and highest worldly happiness of men! Disappointment an vexation must follow; and he most wisely consults his enjoyment, eve in this present life, who most exactly obeys the precepts of the Divin law. But let us turn to consider the wise and merciful providence of God, carrying on his deep but holy designs in the midst of all this And let no change in our condition be a pretext for forgetting ou duties to parents, or the friends who have stood in their place.
Original Hebrew
ובהגיע 5060 תר 8447 נערה 5291 ונערה 5291 לבוא 935 אל 413 המלך 4428 אחשׁורושׁ 325 מקץ 7093 היות 1961 לה כדת 1881 הנשׁים 802 שׁנים 8147 עשׂר 6240 חדשׁ 2320 כי 3588 כן 3651 ימלאו 4390 ימי 3117 מרוקיהן 4795 שׁשׁה 8337 חדשׁים 2320 בשׁמן 8081 המר 4753 ושׁשׁה 8337 חדשׁים 2320 בבשׂמים 1314 ובתמרוקי 8562 הנשׁים׃ 802
