Lexical Summary Pur: Purim, Pur Original Word: פוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Pur, Purim Also (plural) Puwriym {poo-reem'}; or Puriym {poo-reem'}; from puwr; a lot (as by means of a broken piece) -- Pur, Purim. see HEBREW puwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition "a lot," a Jewish feast NASB Translation Pur (3), Purim (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs מּוּר noun masculine lot (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; perhaps Assyrian loanword from puru, buru, stone JenZA x. 339 f. and in WildEst p. 173 f.); **Scheft49f. compare Old Iranian fravi, etc., progress, fortune, fate, lot. — explained by הַגּוֺרָל Esther 3:7; Esther 9:24; שֵׁם הַמּוּר Esther 9:26 explains name of feast מּוּרִים Esther 9:26; יְמֵי הַמֻּרִים days of Purim Esther 9:28; Esther 9:31; ׳אִגֶּרֶת הַמּ Esther 9:29, ׳דִּבְרֵי הַמּ Esther 9:32. — See on Purim especially NowArchaeology ii. 194 ff and references. I. פור (check of following; possibly foam, compare Arabic ( Topical Lexicon Overview Pur is the term used in the Book of Esther for the lot that Haman cast to determine the day on which he planned to annihilate the Jews of the Persian Empire. Although the lot fell on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (Adar), God overturned the decree and brought about Israel’s deliverance, giving rise to the annual celebration called Purim. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Esther 3:7 Historical Setting The account unfolds during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I, 486–465 BC). Haman the Agagite, elevated to the highest official post in Persia, sought revenge when Mordecai refused to bow before him. “They cast the Pur (that is, the lot) before Haman day after day” (Esther 3:7) until the chosen date emerged. What seemed random was used by God to reveal His providence, for “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). Role of Pur in the Narrative • Instrument of Wicked Design: Haman used the lot not merely for scheduling but to cloak his murderous intent with an aura of destiny and religious sanction. Institution of the Feast of Purim Mordecai and Queen Esther issued letters “to establish these days of Purim at their designated times” (Esther 9:31). The celebration was to be observed annually “by every family… so that these days of Purim would not fail from among the Jews, nor their remembrance perish from their descendants” (Esther 9:28). Purim includes fasting beforehand (recalling Esther 4:16), reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), giving gifts to the poor, and mutual feasting—acts that combine repentance, thanksgiving, and communal joy. Theological Themes Sovereignty of God: The casting of Pur underscores that no human scheme escapes divine governance. Covenant Preservation: Though God’s name is absent in Esther, His steadfast commitment to His people is unmistakable. Reversal and Redemption: The lot that signified doom becomes the emblem of deliverance, prefiguring the ultimate reversal accomplished at Calvary when the cross, an instrument of death, became the means of salvation. Ministry Applications • Encouragement in Peril: Believers facing hostility can remember that God’s hidden hand guides events for their good. Typological Insights Haman represents the perennial adversary who seeks to destroy the people of God; Esther, entering the king’s presence at risk of her life, foreshadows the mediatorial work of Christ; the unseen yet decisive sovereignty of God anticipates His ultimate victory over Satan. Thus Pur points beyond itself to the greater deliverance secured through the gospel. Key Takeaways for Teaching and Preaching 1. Human plans, even when cast by “lot,” cannot override divine purpose. Pur, though a small word appearing only eight times, encapsulates the monumental truth that God turns chance into providence, threats into triumph, and mourning into rejoicing for all who trust in Him. Forms and Transliterations הַפֻּרִ֖ים הַפֻּרִ֨ים הַפּ֔וּר הַפּוּרִ֛ים הַפּוּרִ֣ים הפור הפורים הפרים פּוּר֙ פּוּר֩ פוּרִים֙ פור פורים fuRim hap·pu·rîm hap·pū·rîm hap·pūr hapPur happūr happuRim happurîm happūrîm p̄ū·rîm pur pūr p̄ūrîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Esther 3:7 HEB: אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ הִפִּ֣יל פּוּר֩ ה֨וּא הַגּוֹרָ֜ל NAS: Ahasuerus, Pur, that is the lot, KJV: they cast Pur, that [is], the lot, INT: Ahasuerus was cast Pur which is the lot Esther 9:24 Esther 9:26 Esther 9:26 Esther 9:28 Esther 9:29 Esther 9:31 Esther 9:32 8 Occurrences |
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), 
, boil, ferment; Syriac 
, Ethpe`el, of anger).