King James Version

What Does Esther 3:7 Mean?

Esther 3:7 in the King James Version says “In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, be...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Esther 3:7 · KJV

Context

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 the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy 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 laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. for the: Heb. meet or, equal, etc

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. that they: Heb. to destroy them pay: Heb. weigh

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Haman used divination—casting "Pur" (פּוּר, the Akkadian word for "lot")—to determine the auspicious date for destroying the Jews. The practice of casting lots for timing important actions was common in ancient Near Eastern paganism, reflecting belief that gods/fate controlled random outcomes. The lot-casting occurred in Nisan (March-April), the first month, and determined Adar (February-March), the twelfth month, as the date. This eleven-month delay proved providentially crucial—it gave time for Esther to learn of the plot, approach the king, and secure deliverance. Haman's reliance on pagan divination to time the genocide demonstrates spiritual blindness—he sought supernatural guidance from false gods, unaware that the true God was orchestrating events to destroy him. The festival name "Purim" derives from this lot-casting, forever commemorating how God overruled pagan divination.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Lot-casting (casting lots) for divination was widespread in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Babylon and Persia. The Akkadian word puru for "lot" demonstrates Babylonian cultural influence on Persian practices. Archaeological discoveries include various dice, stones, and other objects used for casting lots. The practice assumed that divine/supernatural forces controlled random outcomes, making lot-casting a method of discerning fate's will. Ironically, Proverbs 16:33 affirms that "the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD"—even pagan divination serves God's purposes. The eleven-month delay between Nisan and Adar, determined by lots, gave exactly the time needed for God's counter-plan through Esther. The lot intended to determine Jews' destruction instead determined the date of their victory.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Haman's use of divination demonstrate the spiritual blindness of relying on false gods while the true God orchestrates events?
  2. What does the providential timing (eleven-month delay) teach about God's sovereignty even over pagan practices like lot-casting?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
חֹ֥דֶשׁ1 of 25

“and from month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙2 of 25

“In the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

הוּא3 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חֹ֥דֶשׁ4 of 25

“and from month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

נִיסָ֔ן5 of 25

“Nisan”

H5212

nisan, the first month of the jewish sacred year

בִּשְׁנַת֙6 of 25

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שְׁנֵים7 of 25

“in the twelfth”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה8 of 25
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ9 of 25

“of king”

H4428

a king

אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ10 of 25

“Ahasuerus”

H325

achashverosh (i.e., ahasuerus or artaxerxes, but in this case xerxes), the title (rather than name) of a persian king

הִפִּ֣יל11 of 25

“they cast”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

פּוּר֩12 of 25

“Pur”

H6332

a lot (as by means of a broken piece)

ה֨וּא13 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הַגּוֹרָ֜ל14 of 25

“that is the lot”

H1486

properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)

לִפְנֵ֣י15 of 25

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָמָ֗ן16 of 25

“Haman”

H2001

haman, a persian vizier

לְי֛וֹם17 of 25

“from day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לְי֛וֹם18 of 25

“from day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

חֹ֥דֶשׁ19 of 25

“and from month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

חֹ֥דֶשׁ20 of 25

“and from month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

שְׁנֵים21 of 25

“in the twelfth”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֖ר22 of 25
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

הוּא23 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חֹ֥דֶשׁ24 of 25

“and from month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

אֲדָֽר׃25 of 25

“Adar”

H143

adar, the 12th hebrew month

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Esther. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Esther 3:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Esther 3:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 6:15Proverbs 16:33Ezekiel 21:21-22Esther 9:24-26Esther 9:1Esther 9:21

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