Lexical Summary Adar: Adar Original Word: אֲדָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Adar (Aramaic) corresponding to 'Adar -- Adar. see HEBREW 'Adar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to Adar Definition the twelfth month in the Jewish calendar NASB Translation Adar (1). Topical Lexicon Definition and Scriptural Appearance Adar is the twelfth month of the biblical ecclesiastical year (sixth of the civil year) and falls in late winter, corresponding roughly to February–March on the Gregorian calendar. In canonical Hebrew Scripture the term appears once: “This temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius” (Ezra 6:15). The form recorded in Esther belongs to the closely related Aramaic vocabulary, yet together they highlight Adar as a season of decisive deliverance and joyful completion. Placement in the Hebrew Calendar 1 Nisan inaugurates the religious calendar (Exodus 12:2); therefore Adar, as the final month, becomes the threshold to redemption events commemorated at Passover. In intercalated (leap) years, a second Adar (Adar II) is added, underscoring the month’s flexibility in keeping Israel’s feasts aligned with the agricultural cycle. Historical Milestones in Adar • Completion of the Second Temple (Ezra 6:15). After years of opposition, the reconstruction began under Cyrus, stalled, and then resumed through the prophetic exhortations of Haggai and Zechariah. Its finishing in Adar testified to the Lord’s covenant faithfulness after exile (Haggai 2:9). Theological Themes Completion. God brought the temple work to an orderly close in Adar, countering the chaos of earlier interruptions. The timing anticipates the “finished” cry of Christ concerning the true temple of His body (John 19:30). Reversal. Adar’s Purim precedents display divine providence overturning human schemes (Proverbs 19:21). Preparation. Because Passover follows in Nisan, Adar becomes a month of readying hearts for redemption, mirroring the believer’s call to self-examination before the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28). Prophetic and Eschatological Echoes The Second Temple’s completion prefigures a greater sanctuary comprised of redeemed people (Ephesians 2:21-22). Adar thereby points forward to Revelation 21:3, where God permanently “dwells with man.” The transformation motif seen in Purim also anticipates the final vindication of God’s people when Christ returns (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7). Devotional and Ministry Applications • Encourage perseverance. The builders in Ezra labored through discouragement; ministry leaders may draw strength from knowing God perfectly times His completions (Philippians 1:6). Summary Though occurring only once in Hebrew form, Adar carries rich biblical weight. It closes the yearly cycle, marks God’s faithfulness in rebuilding, frames accounts of deliverance, and offers the Church enduring lessons on perseverance, providence, and preparation for redemption. Forms and Transliterations אֲדָ֑ר אדרLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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