Purim

Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a genocidal plot in the Persian Empire, as recorded in the book of Esther. The official Haman cast lots called pur to select the date for destroying the Jews, but Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai intervened at great personal risk, leading the king to reverse the decree and grant the Jews victory over their enemies. This event underscores God's providential protection of His covenant people, even in a book where His name is never explicitly mentioned. The annual observance reinforces scriptural themes of courage, justice, and divine sovereignty amid human schemes.

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Category: Historical Feasts
Hebrew Name: Purim
Timing: 14th-15th of Adar (February/March)
Calendar: Adar (12th month), 14th-15th
Season: Late Winter
Observance: Reading the book of Esther, feasting, giving gifts to the poor, celebration and joy.

Significance

Demonstrates God's providential protection of His people even when His name is not explicitly mentioned (as in Esther).

New Testament Fulfillment

Pictures God's preservation of Israel through all attempts at destruction throughout history.

Key Passages

Purim Established

Esther 9:20-28

A²⁰nd Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

²¹ To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, ²² As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. ²³ And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; ²⁴ Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; ²⁵ But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. ²⁶ Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, ²⁷ The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; ²⁸ And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

Haman's Plot

Esther 3:7-13

I⁷n the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

⁸ And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. ⁹ If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. ¹⁰ And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. ¹¹ And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. ¹² Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. ¹³ And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

Esther's Courage

Esther 4:14-16

F¹⁴or if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

¹⁵ Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, ¹⁶ Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Did You Know?

Purim celebrates the events of the book of Esther. The only biblical book that never mentions God by name.

The name comes from 'pur' (lot). Haman cast lots to choose the date for destroying the Jews.

It is the most festive Jewish holiday. Traditionally celebrated with costumes, plays, and feasting.

The story shows God's providence working through 'coincidences' even when He seems silent.