Esther 9:26 - Therefore they called these days “Purim”, from the word “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 to them,

Generated Verse: Esther 9:26

What does "Esther 9:26" mean?


Esther 9:26 is a key verse in explaining the origin and meaning of the Jewish holiday of Purim. Let's break it down:

"Therefore they called these days “Purim”, from the word “Pur.”" This establishes the connection between the holiday's name and the word "Pur." "Pur" (פּוּר) is a Persian word meaning "lot." Haman, the villain of the story, cast lots to determine the most auspicious day to annihilate the Jews. So, the holiday is named after this lottery.

"Therefore because of all the words of this letter..." This refers to the written account of the events that led to the Jews' salvation. Queen Esther and Mordecai documented the plot, the reversal of fortunes, and the Jews' victory over their enemies. This written account was widely circulated to establish the commemoration of Purim.

"...and of that which they had seen concerning this matter..." This points to the actual events that the Jews witnessed: the threat of annihilation, the fear and desperation, and then the unexpected triumph and celebration. The personal experience of living through these events added to the impact and solidified the need for remembrance.

"...and that which had come to them..." This refers to the overall experience and the events that had befallen the Jewish community. It encompasses not just the actions of Haman and the decree of annihilation, but also the salvation and deliverance that they experienced.

In essence, the verse is saying that Purim was established as a holiday because:

The name directly refers to the villain's attempt to use chance (the "Pur") to destroy them.
There was a written record (the "letter") documenting the entire story.
The people had personally witnessed and experienced the dramatic events, making a lasting impression.
The experiences of the jews are very crucial to be accounted for

All these elements combined to create a powerful justification for creating a permanent annual celebration to remember God's deliverance and to celebrate Jewish survival in the face of adversity.