In 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.
ESTHER 3:7KJVWhat does Esther 3:7 mean?
Esther 3:7 describes how, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Haman and his advisors cast lots (called "Pur") throughout the year to choose a date for carrying out Haman’s plan against the Jews, eventually selecting the twelfth month, Adar. This verse explains the process by which the date for the planned destruction of the Jews was determined by chance rather than by direct decision.
The verse is set in the Persian royal court, with Haman—an official under King Ahasuerus—seeking guidance from chance (casting lots) to pick a day for his plot. The mention of the months "Nisan" and "Adar" uses the Jewish calendar, and the act of casting "Pur" (lots) is significant because it shows reliance on fate or superstition rather than reasoned planning. This detail sets up the later reversal in the story, where the chosen date becomes central to the Jewish festival of Purim.
The Hebrew behind Esther 3:7
- פוּר (Pur, H6332): This word means "lot" and is the origin of the name for the festival of Purim. The use of this term highlights the role of chance in the story and foreshadows the significance of this event for Jewish tradition.
- גּוֹרָל (goral, H1486): Also translated as "lot," this word reinforces the idea that the date was chosen by casting lots, emphasizing randomness and the belief in fate.
- נִיסָן (Nisan, H5212) and אֲדָר (Adar, H143): These are the names of the first and twelfth months in the Jewish calendar. Their mention roots the story in a specific historical and cultural context, helping readers track the timeline of events.
Why Esther 3:7 matters
- Esther 3:7 clarifies that the date for Haman’s plot was not chosen by human wisdom or strategy, but by casting lots, which adds a sense of irony and sets up the theme of reversal in the book.
- The verse introduces "Pur," which becomes the basis for the festival of Purim, connecting the story’s events to a lasting Jewish tradition.
- By specifying the months and the process, the verse helps readers understand the timeline and the deliberate, drawn-out nature of Haman’s plan, increasing the tension in the narrative.