“Moreover,
The word of Yahweh
Came to me.
‘Son of man!
Raise a lamentation
Over the king of Tyre!
Say to him!
Thus says Yahweh God!
‘You were the signet
Of perfection,
Full of wisdom,
Perfect in beauty.’”
Now Yahweh wanted Ezekiel to lament about the king of Tyre. Was this the infamous King Ittobaal II (760-740 BCE)? Yahweh called him the sign of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect beauty. That was no small compliment for a person who was a non-Israelite.
“‘Your clothing was
Of fine linen.
Your clothing was
Rich fabrics.
Your clothing was
Embroidered cloth.
You had choice flour.
You had honey.
You had oil.
You grew
Exceedingly beautiful.
You were fit
To be a queen.
Your fame spread
Among the nations
On account
Of your beauty.
It was perfect
Because of my splendor
That I had bestowed
On you.’
Says Yahweh God.”
Yahweh made sure that young Jerusalem had wonderful clothing to wear, such as fine linens, rich fabrics, and embroidered clothes. She also had fine foods to eat. She had choice flour, honey, and oil. Thus she grew exceedingly beautiful. She was fit to be a queen. Her fame spread far and wide because of her perfect beauty. Why was she so beautiful? Well, Yahweh gave her his perfect splendor. So ends the story of the young maiden Jerusalem growing up to become very beautiful.
“On the third day, when Queen Esther ended her prayer, she took off the garments in which she had worshiped. She arrayed herself in splendid attire. Then, majestically adorned, after invoking the aid of the all-seeing God and Savior, she took her two maids with her. She leaned gently for support on one, while the other followed carrying her train. She was radiant with perfect beauty. She looked happy, as if beloved, but her heart was frozen with fear. When she had gone through all the doors, she stood before the king.”
One again the Greek text continues. After this 3 day prayer, Queen Esther took off her sack cloth garments. Now she put on royal clothes. She invoked God to help her. However, she took 2 maids with her, one to lean on and the other to carry the train of her splendid dress. She looked radiant, beautiful and happy, but she was fearful. Finally, she stood before the king.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 