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,
ESTHER 9:26KJVWhat does Esther 9:26 mean?
Esther 9:26 explains that the Jewish festival called "Purim" got its name from the word "Pur," which refers to the lots that were cast to determine the date of the Jews’ destruction. The verse also notes that the events described in the letter and what the people witnessed led to the naming and observance of these days.
In the story’s setting, this verse comes after the Jews have been saved from a plot to destroy them, and Mordecai is writing to explain the origins of the new holiday. The verse highlights how the name "Purim" is directly tied to the casting of lots (pur), and it connects the celebration to both the written record and the people’s own experience of deliverance.
The Hebrew behind Esther 9:26
- פוּרִים (Purim, transliteration: purim): This is the plural form of "pur," meaning "lots." The festival’s name directly points to the lots cast by Haman to decide when to attack the Jews, making the name itself a reminder of the threat and the deliverance.
- פוּר (Pur, transliteration: pur): This word means "lot" or "dice." Its use here is important because it ties the holiday’s name to a specific event in the story, not just a generic term.
- דָּבָר (davar, transliteration: davar): This word means "word" or "matter." In this verse, it refers to the contents of the letter and the events that happened, emphasizing that the festival is based on both written instruction and lived experience.
- סֵפֶר (sefer, transliteration: sefer): This word means "letter" or "scroll." The mention of the letter shows that the observance of Purim was formalized and communicated in writing, not just by word of mouth.
Why Esther 9:26 matters
- Esther 9:26 clarifies that the name "Purim" is not random, but is rooted in a specific historical event—the casting of lots by Haman—which gives the festival its unique identity.
- The verse shows that the celebration of Purim is based on both what was written (the letter) and what people actually saw and experienced, grounding the holiday in real events.
- By explaining the origin of the festival’s name, this verse connects the ongoing Jewish practice of Purim to the story’s dramatic reversal, helping readers understand why the holiday is celebrated and what it commemorates.