What Is Purim?
What Is Purim? Purim is the annual feast celebrating God's deliverance of the Jews from Haman's plot to destroy them, as recorded in the book of Esther.
Key verse: Esther 9:20-22 (KJV)
Purim is the annual feast celebrating God's deliverance of the Jews from Haman's plot to destroy them, as recorded in the book of Esther.
Purim is the annual feast celebrating God's deliverance of the Jews from Haman's plot to destroy them, as recorded in the book of Esther.
"And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus... To establish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day." — Esther 9:20-22 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Purim is named after the pur — the lot — that Haman cast to determine the day for destroying the Jews of Persia. When Queen Esther, herself a Jew, learned of the plot, she risked her life by approaching King Ahasuerus unbidden. Through her courage and Mordecai's wisdom, Haman was hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai, and the Jews were granted the right to defend themselves. The thirteenth and fourteenth days of Adar became days of feasting and gladness. Esther 9 commands that Purim be observed 'throughout every generation' with gifts to the poor, feasting, and the reading of the book of Esther. Though not a biblical feast in the Levitical calendar, Purim is a powerful reminder that God sovereignly rules behind the scenes, raising up deliverers at the precise moment His people need them.
Key Scripture References
"And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus... To establish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day."
"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
"And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Was Esther?
Esther was a Jewish orphan who became queen of Persia and courageously saved her people from genocide, showing God's providence even when He works behind the scenes.
Who Was Mordecai in the Bible?
Mordecai was a Jewish exile in Persia who raised his cousin Esther and uncovered a plot to destroy the Jews, leading to their deliverance.
Who Was Haman in the Bible?
Haman was the Agagite official whose plot to annihilate the Jews was foiled by Esther and Mordecai, leading to his own execution.
Who Wrote the Bible?
The Bible was written by approximately 40 human authors over 1,500 years, but ultimately inspired by God through the Holy Spirit.
Is the Bible True and Reliable?
Yes — the Bible's historical accuracy, fulfilled prophecy, internal consistency, and transformative power confirm its divine reliability.
Deep Dive Commentary
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The answer above sits inside Esther. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Esther on day 267 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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