Lexical Summary maruq: Polished, scoured Original Word: מָרוּק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance purification From maraq; properly, rubbed; but used abstractly, a rubbing (with perfumery) -- purification. see HEBREW maraq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom maraq Definition a scraping, rubbing NASB Translation beautification (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָרוּק] (Köii. 138) noun [masculine] a scraping, rubbing; — only plural suffix יְמֵי מְרוּקֵיהֶן Esther 2:12 literally the days of their (bodily) rubbings, i.e. the year's preparation of girls for the harem. Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Immediate Context מָרוּק appears once, in Esther 2:12, describing the twelve-month regimen each young woman underwent before entering King Xerxes’ presence: “the requirement for the women was to complete twelve months of beauty treatments: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics” (Berean Standard Bible). The term denotes the entire process of rubbing, polishing, and perfuming—an intensive preparation that moved a candidate from ordinary life into royal audience. Cultural and Historical Background Persian court etiquette demanded elaborate purification. Archaeological findings and classical sources (e.g., Herodotus 2.237) confirm extended cosmetic treatments for harem entrants. Myrrh served as both fragrance and antiseptic; perfumes and cosmetics masked odors and signaled status. Esther, a Jewish exile, submitted to this pagan protocol while maintaining covenant fidelity, illustrating how God’s people might navigate foreign systems without compromising ultimate allegiance. Purification as Spiritual Preparation Throughout Scripture cleansing precedes divine encounter. Priests washed before ministry (Exodus 30:17-21); lepers underwent rites after healing (Leviticus 14); Israel purified itself before Sinai (Exodus 19:10-11). Esther’s year-long מָרוּק reflects that pattern: preparation culminates in royal presence. Believers likewise “purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD” (Isaiah 52:11) and pursue “the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Liturgical and Symbolic Parallels 1. Oil of myrrh parallels anointing oil (Exodus 30:23-25); fragrance rises heavenward like prayer (Psalm 141:2). Christological Implications Esther’s journey prefigures the Church’s. Jesus “gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor” (Ephesians 5:25-27). The solitary use of מָרוּק thus points forward to the once-for-all purifying work of Christ, who combines the bitterness of myrrh (Mark 15:23) with the sweet fragrance of resurrection (John 20:12-16). Pastoral and Devotional Applications • Preparation matters: spiritual disciplines—Scripture, prayer, repentance—function as the believer’s מָרוּק, readying the heart for God’s purposes. Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References Ritual cleansing: Leviticus 12; Numbers 19:11-13 Anointing and fragrance: Psalm 133:2; Song of Solomon 1:3; John 12:3 Bride imagery: Psalm 45:13-15; Revelation 19:7-8 Preparation for mission: Isaiah 6:5-8; Luke 24:49 Thus מָרוּק, though appearing only once, reveals a rich tapestry of purification, preparation, and purpose that resonates from Esther’s palace to the contemporary believer’s walk with God. Forms and Transliterations מְרוּקֵיהֶ֑ן מרוקיהן mə·rū·qê·hen merukeiHen mərūqêhenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Esther 2:12 HEB: יִמְלְא֖וּ יְמֵ֣י מְרוּקֵיהֶ֑ן שִׁשָּׁ֤ה חֳדָשִׁים֙ NAS: for the days of their beautification were completed KJV: (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, INT: were completed were the days of their beautification six months 1 Occurrence |
    |