Jewish Festivals and Holy Days

Purim

Hebrew Date 14 Adar

Season Late Winter / Early Spring

Duration 1 day

Type Post-Biblical Jewish Festival

Purim is a joyful Jewish festival that remembers the deliverance of the Jewish people from the plot of Haman as told in the book of Esther. The celebration includes reading Esther, sharing food, giving to the poor and gathering for a festive meal.

About Purim

Purim is the Jewish festival that celebrates the deliverance described in the book of Esther.

The story takes place among Jews living in the Persian Empire. Esther, a young Jewish woman, becomes queen but initially keeps her Jewish identity secret. Her cousin and guardian Mordecai later becomes involved in a dangerous conflict with Haman, a powerful official of the king.

Angered by Mordecai, Haman seeks not merely to punish him but to destroy the Jewish people throughout the empire. Lots are cast to choose the date for carrying out the plan.

Esther eventually reveals her Jewish identity to the king and exposes Haman's plot. Haman falls from power, and the Jews are given authority to defend themselves.

The threatened destruction becomes a deliverance. Mordecai and Esther establish an annual celebration marked by joy, feasting, sharing food and giving to the poor.

The name Purim comes from the lots that Haman had cast. Something intended to determine the day of destruction instead became part of the name of a festival celebrating survival.

Origin

The origin of Purim is told in the book of Esther.

According to Esther, the Persian king Ahasuerus chose Esther as queen without knowing that she was Jewish. Her relative Mordecai had advised her not to reveal her identity.

Haman rose to a powerful position in the royal court. When Mordecai refused to bow before him, Haman became furious. He decided to destroy not only Mordecai but the Jewish people throughout the kingdom.

Haman cast lots to determine when his plan would be carried out. A royal decree was issued setting a day for the destruction of the Jews.

Mordecai urged Esther to intervene. Approaching the king without being summoned could cost her life, but Esther agreed to act. After fasting, she approached the king and eventually exposed Haman and his plan.

Haman was executed, Mordecai was elevated, and another royal decree allowed the Jews to defend themselves. Their deliverance became the basis for the annual celebration of Purim.

Biblical Basis

Unlike the great pilgrimage festivals, Purim is not commanded in the Torah.

Its biblical basis is the book of Esther. The book not only tells the story behind the festival but describes how its annual observance was established.

Esther 9 says that the Jews celebrated after gaining relief from their enemies. Mordecai instructed Jewish communities to continue observing these days each year.

The celebration was to include feasting and joy, sending portions of food to one another and giving gifts to the poor.

The name Purim is also explained in Esther. Haman had cast the pur, or lot, as part of his plan against the Jews. The festival was therefore called Purim, meaning "lots."

Purim is thus a biblical observance in the sense that its establishment is recorded in Scripture, although it was not one of the festivals commanded through Moses in the Torah.

Explore This Festival

Open any topic below for additional history, observance, customs and Scripture.

Historical Background Ancient Observance Celebrated Today Customs & Symbols Foods Scripture

Jewish Meaning

Purim is above all a celebration of Jewish survival.

The story begins with Jewish people living as a minority within a powerful foreign empire. A decision made near the center of political power suddenly places the entire community in danger.

Esther's actions also make courage an important part of the festival. She has much to lose by revealing who she is and approaching the king. Yet remaining silent could leave her people without an advocate.

The story also contains a remarkable series of reversals. Haman plans to destroy Mordecai but is himself destroyed. Mordecai moves from danger to honor. A day intended for Jewish destruction becomes a day of Jewish deliverance.

Purim therefore remembers that circumstances can change in unexpected ways. Fear becomes joy, mourning becomes celebration and a threatened community survives.

The gifts of food and help for the poor make that joy communal. Deliverance is not celebrated alone. It is shared with neighbors and with people who might otherwise be unable to participate fully in the feast.

Jesus and the New Testament

Purim is not mentioned by name in the New Testament.

Some have suggested that unnamed Jewish festivals in the Gospels might refer to Purim, but there is not enough evidence to make such an identification with confidence.

The festival was known in Jewish life by the first century. Josephus, the Jewish historian, retold the story of Esther and described the continuing celebration of the days associated with the deliverance.

Purim nevertheless provides useful background for the Jewish world of the New Testament. It reminds us that Jewish identity in the first century had been shaped not only by the Torah but also by later experiences under Babylonian, Persian and Greek rule.

We should therefore treat Purim as part of the wider Jewish world surrounding the New Testament without claiming that a particular Gospel event took place during the festival.

Christian Relevance

Purim gives Christians an opportunity to become more familiar with a biblical book that can sometimes receive less attention than other Old Testament narratives.

Esther raises important questions about courage and responsibility. When Esther learns what is happening, she must decide whether to risk her own security for the sake of others.

The story also provides a striking picture of providence. God is never mentioned by name in the Hebrew text of Esther. There are no spectacular miracles. Yet events repeatedly turn in ways that lead to the survival of the Jewish people.

Christians have often found this especially meaningful. God's care does not always appear through dramatic supernatural events. Providence may also be seen through ordinary decisions, timing and circumstances.

Purim should first be understood as a Jewish celebration of Jewish deliverance. Learning about it can help Christians better understand Esther, Jewish history and the continuing importance of this biblical story in Jewish life.

Why It Matters

Purim tells a story of danger, courage and unexpected deliverance. The Jewish people living within the Persian Empire face destruction, yet a series of remarkable events reverses their situation.

Esther and Mordecai stand at the center of the story. Esther risks her life by approaching the king, while Mordecai refuses to remain silent about the threat facing his people.

Purim is also unusual because the book of Esther never mentions God by name. Yet the story repeatedly turns in ways that preserve the Jewish people. Readers have long seen God's providence working behind events even when His action is not openly described.

For Christians, Esther provides an important picture of Jewish life in the Persian period and a powerful biblical story about courage, faithfulness and providence.