This verse from Esther Greek 9:26 is a bit of a tangled explanation of the origin of the name "Phrurae." Let's break it down:
"Therefore these days were called Phrurae..." This tells us that a festival or days of celebration were being named "Phrurae."
"...because of the lots; (for in their language they are called Phrurae;)..." This is the core of the explanation. The name "Phrurae" is linked to "lots." The Greek text here is associating the name of the holiday with the word for "lots." This connection to lots is extremely important because earlier in the book of Esther, Haman used lots (Hebrew: pur) to determine the day to annihilate the Jews.
The Greek translation likely attempted to render the Hebrew word pur into Greek. The Greek words that could be used to render "pur" were similar to the word "Phrurae", so the translator is likely associating the name with a linguistic connection.
"...because of the words of this letter..." This refers to the decree and letters sent throughout the Persian empire that reversed Haman's original decree. The establishment of the holiday and its name were based on what was written in those letters.
"...and because of all they suffered on this account, and all that happened to them." This emphasizes that the celebration (and thus the name) is also a memorial to the suffering the Jews endured because of Haman's plot and their ultimate deliverance. The "account" refers to the entire story surrounding Haman's conspiracy and the subsequent Jewish victory.
In short, the verse explains that the name "Phrurae" (likely the Greek version of Purim) for the festival commemorating the Jews' deliverance is derived from:
1. The casting of lots (pur) by Haman: The very thing that threatened their existence became a symbolic basis for the name.
2. The content of the official letters: The letters decreeing their salvation established the reason for the celebration.
3. Their suffering and subsequent victory: The entire experience of near annihilation and miraculous rescue became enshrined in the name and the holiday.
It's a bit of a roundabout explanation, but it highlights the connection between the origin of the holiday, the original threat (Haman's lots), and the ultimate deliverance of the Jews.
This verse from Esther Greek 9:26 is a bit of a tangled explanation of the origin of the name "Phrurae." Let's break it down:
"Therefore these days were called Phrurae..." This tells us that a festival or days of celebration were being named "Phrurae."
"...because of the lots; (for in their language they are called Phrurae;)..." This is the core of the explanation. The name "Phrurae" is linked to "lots." The Greek text here is associating the name of the holiday with the word for "lots." This connection to lots is extremely important because earlier in the book of Esther, Haman used lots (Hebrew: pur) to determine the day to annihilate the Jews.
The Greek translation likely attempted to render the Hebrew word pur into Greek. The Greek words that could be used to render "pur" were similar to the word "Phrurae", so the translator is likely associating the name with a linguistic connection.
"...because of the words of this letter..." This refers to the decree and letters sent throughout the Persian empire that reversed Haman's original decree. The establishment of the holiday and its name were based on what was written in those letters.
"...and because of all they suffered on this account, and all that happened to them." This emphasizes that the celebration (and thus the name) is also a memorial to the suffering the Jews endured because of Haman's plot and their ultimate deliverance. The "account" refers to the entire story surrounding Haman's conspiracy and the subsequent Jewish victory.
In short, the verse explains that the name "Phrurae" (likely the Greek version of Purim) for the festival commemorating the Jews' deliverance is derived from:
1. The casting of lots (pur) by Haman: The very thing that threatened their existence became a symbolic basis for the name.
2. The content of the official letters: The letters decreeing their salvation established the reason for the celebration.
3. Their suffering and subsequent victory: The entire experience of near annihilation and miraculous rescue became enshrined in the name and the holiday.
It's a bit of a roundabout explanation, but it highlights the connection between the origin of the holiday, the original threat (Haman's lots), and the ultimate deliverance of the Jews.
