Esther 9:26

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,

Wherefore they called {H7121} these days {H3117} Purim {H6332} after the name {H8034} of Pur {H6332}. Therefore for all the words {H1697} of this letter {H107}, and of that which they had seen {H7200} concerning this matter {H3602}, and which had come {H5060} unto them,

This is why these days have been called Purim, after the word pur. Thus, because of everything written in this letter, and what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had come upon them,

Therefore these days are called Purim, from the word Pur. Because of all the instructions in this letter, and because of all they had seen and experienced,

Wherefore they called these days Purim, after the name of Pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come unto them,

Commentary

Esther 9:26 serves as a foundational verse explaining the origin and naming of the Jewish festival of Purim, a pivotal celebration of deliverance and divine intervention.

Context

This verse follows the dramatic events chronicled in the Book of Esther, where the Jewish people living in the vast Persian Empire were threatened with annihilation by Haman, a high-ranking official. Haman had cast lots (dice) to determine the most auspicious day for his genocidal plan. The Hebrew word for "lot" is pur (פוּר). However, through the courageous actions of Queen Esther and the wise counsel of Mordecai, Haman's plot was thwarted, and the very day intended for the Jews' destruction was turned into a day of victory and self-defense. The preceding verses (Esther 9:20-22) detail Mordecai's directive to establish an annual festival to commemorate this miraculous reversal of fortune.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Commemoration of Deliverance: The verse explicitly states that the days were named "Purim" after "Pur," ensuring that the historical context of Haman's lot and God's intervention would never be forgotten. It emphasizes the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and protection.
  • Divine Providence: Although the name of God is not explicitly mentioned in the Book of Esther, the narrative, culminating in the establishment of Purim, powerfully illustrates God's hidden hand at work, orchestrating events to protect His people even in seemingly secular circumstances.
  • The Power of a Decree: The phrase "for all the words of this letter" refers to the official decree sent out by Mordecai and Esther (Esther 9:20), solidifying the annual observance of Purim based on what "they had seen concerning this matter."

Linguistic Insights

The central linguistic insight is the word "Purim," which is the plural form of "Pur." As mentioned, pur is a loanword of Akkadian or Persian origin, meaning "lot" or "die." Haman used a pur to determine the date for the extermination of the Jews (Esther 3:7). Naming the festival "Purim" ironically highlights the very instrument Haman used to plot evil, which God turned into a symbol of salvation and triumph for the Jewish people.

Practical Application

Esther 9:26 reminds believers today of the importance of remembering and celebrating God's acts of deliverance in their own lives and in history. Just as the Jewish people established Purim to recall a specific moment of national salvation, we are called to reflect on how God has protected us from harm, turned difficult situations around, and demonstrated His unwavering love. This verse encourages us to acknowledge God's sovereignty, even when His presence may not be overtly visible, trusting that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

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Cross-References

  • Esther 9:20 (3 votes)

    ¶ And 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,

  • Ezekiel 39:11 (2 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the [noses] of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call [it] The valley of Hamongog.

  • Numbers 16:40 (2 votes)

    [To be] a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which [is] not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.