PURIM HAS ARRIVED!!!


The famous account of Purim is in the book of Esther. The Jews were still in captivity in the Babylonian Empire, until King Ahasuerus took over the kingdom. The king had a banquet one night and asked for Queen Vashti to come and display herself before him and his guest, but refused. Then the king decreed to have a beauty contest to see who would be his next queen in place of Vashti. Hasadah was of the line of Benjamin, who was living with her Benjamite uncle, Mordechai. Hadassah became one of the contenders, because she was fair of form. Mordechai had her name changed to Esther to cover her Jewish identity. She won the beauty contest and became his next queen. The story continues.

Esther 3:1-15

Est 3:1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote את-Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, and advanced him, and set את-his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. 3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou את the king's commandment? 4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him את-the People of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy את-all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the People of Mordecai. 7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. 8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain People scattered abroad and dispersed among the People in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their Torahs (Teachings) are diverse from all people; neither keep they את-the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. 10 And the king took את-his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. 12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. 13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, את-all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

Haman the Agagite, was a descendant of king Agag, of the line of Amalek, which is noted in the book of the prophet Samuel

1 Samuel 15:1-3

1Sa 15:1 Samuel also said unto Saul, hwhy sent me to anoint thee to be king over his People, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the Voice of the Words of hwhy. 2 Thus saith יהוה of Armies, I remember את that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. 3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

This is the account of what Amalek did to Israel, which is noted in the book of Numbers

Exodus 17:8-16

Exo 17:8 And Amalek came, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, Choose for us men, and go fight against Amalek: Tomorrow I will stand upon the head of the hill, and the staff of the Elohim will be in my hand. 10 And Joshua did as which Moses said to him to fight against Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur, they ascended to the head of the hill. 11 And was, as which Moses raised his hand, and Israel prevailed: and as when shall rest his hand, and Amalek prevailed. 12 And the hands of Moses became heavy; and they took a stone, and they put under him, and sat upon her; And Aaron and Hur, they held up his hands from this one, and from this one; And his hands, they were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overthrew את-Amalek and את-his people by the mouth of the sword.

14 And hwhy said to Moses, Write this of a Memorial in a scroll, and rehearse (set) in the ears of Joshua: for blotting, I will blot out את-the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens. 15 And Moses built an altar, and called his name, יהוה Nissi: 16 And said, For the hand is upon the throne of Yah; To יהוה shall be war against Amalek from generation to generation.

Moses explains it a little more detail, which is noted in the book of Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 25:17-19

Deu 25:17 Remember את what Amalek did to you on the way in your coming out from Egypt; 18 who met you in the way, and smote against you the tail of all that are weak behind you, and you were weary and tired; and did not fear Elohim. 19 And יהוה, your Elohim, shall be to you in giving rest from all of your enemies from around in the land which hwhy, your Elohim, is giving to you of an inheritance to possess her, you shall blot out את-the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens; you shall not forget.


Also, Amalek is a descendant of Esau, which is noted in the book of Genesis

Genesis 17:9-12

Gen 17:9 And these were the birthings of Esau, father of Edom in Mount Seir: 10 These are the names of the sons of Esau; Eliphaz, son of Adah, wife of Esau. Reuel, son of Bashemath, wife of Esau. 11 And the sons of Eliphaz, they were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz. 12 And Timna, she was concubine to Eliphaz, son of Esau; and she birthed to Eliphaz את-Amalek: these were the sons of Adah wife of Esau.

Haman was a descendant of Agag, a descendant of Amalek, grandson of Esau.


Looking at the word PUR

The Hebrew word for pur is "poor"- Peh, Vav, Resh (פור). It is from Strong's Concordance number 6331, and its definition

A primitive root; to crush: - break, bring to nought, X utterly take.

Haman was casting lots to "bring to nought" the Jews.



The story continues with Mordechai putting on sackcloth and ashes, telling Queen Esther that the Jews are going to die under Haman's hand, and Esther is the only one that could save them by going to the king. Queen Esther fasts for three days, and approaches the king, and the king spares Eshter with the sceptre. Esther offers the king and Haman to come to a feast at her estate, which they did. At the banquet, the king asks Esther aks for her request. This is her reply

Esther 7:3-10

Est 7:3 Then Esther, the queen, answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 4 For we are sold, I and my People, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. 5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther, the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? 6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. 7 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther, the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by את-the king. 8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force את-the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. 10 So they hanged את-Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.



Then Esther request the king to go after those who would kill the Jews, and the king gave her his seal to make the petition. Picking up on the account

Esther 8:9-17

Est 8:9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish את-all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace. 15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. 17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

Notice that it took almost nine months, since the decree went out to all the provinces, before the Jews killed the people seeking to murder them. That's a long time.



This is the passage that reveal the dates of Purim

Esther 9:1-32

Est 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) 2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. 3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped את-the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. 5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. 6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. 7 And את Parshandatha, and את Dalphon, and את Aspatha, 8 And את Poratha, and את Adalia, and את Aridatha, 9 And את Parmashta, and את Arisai, and את Aridai, and את Vajezatha, 10 The ten sons of Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not את-their hand. 11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. 12 And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and את the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done. 13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let את Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. 14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged את Haman's ten sons. 15 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not את-their hand. 16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not את-their hands on the prey, 17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made את the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. 20 And Mordecai wrote את-these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, 21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep את the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and את the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22 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: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 23 And the Jews undertook to do את as they had begun, and את as Mordecai had written unto them; 24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; 25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and את-his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 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, 27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep את-these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; 28 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. 29 Then Esther, the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with את-all authority, to confirm את this second letter of Purim. 30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, 31 To confirm את-these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai, the Jew, and Esther, the queen, had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. 32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the scroll.

Looking at the word PURIM

The Hebrew word for purim is "poo-reem"- Peh, (Vav), Resh, Yod Mem Sophit (פרים, פורים). It is from Strong's Concordance number 6332, and its definition

From H6331; a lot (as by means of a broken piece): - Pur, Purim.

And that's the just of the story of Purim.


I wish all of you a Khag Sameakh. Enjoy the videos, audios and music offered below. 







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AUDIO

FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS

Josephus wrote a version of the account of Esther, and it is located in the book of The Jewish Antiquities Book 11, Chapter 6, Parts 1-13 (184-296). You can find the links to the text below

http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/antiquities-jews/book-11/chapter-6.html

http://josephus.org/Esther.htm
(with commentary)







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AUDIO

AVIAD COHEN

The Book Of Esther (English)
Note: you need to play it on Windows Media Player. It will not play on Real Player for whatever reason.