King James Version

What Does Esther 9:26 Mean?

Esther 9:26 in the King James Version says “Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that wh...” — study this verse from Esther chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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, Pur: that is, Lot”

Esther 9:26 · KJV

Context

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; consume: Heb. crush

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 his sons should be hanged on the gallows. when: Heb. when she came

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, Pur: that is, Lot

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 these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year ; fail: Heb. pass

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. fail: Heb. pass perish: Heb. be ended

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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, The festival's name "Purim" derives from "Pur" (the lot Haman cast to determine the Jews' destruction date, 3:7). Naming the celebration after the divination device that determined the attack date creates profound irony: the instrument intended to ensure successful genocide instead marks the day commemorating Jewish deliverance. The name forever reminds celebrants that what enemies intend for evil, God turns to good. The reference to "all the words of this letter" indicates Mordecai's official establishment of Purim (v. 20-22), and "that which they had seen" grounds the festival in historical experience—not legend but witnessed events.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Naming festivals after significant elements from the deliverance narrative was common practice (Passover from God "passing over" Israelite homes, Exodus 12:13). Purim's name permanently memorialized Haman's reliance on pagan divination that God overruled. The irony would have been obvious to ancient audiences: the lots Haman cast to find the lucky date for destroying Jews instead found the date of his own destruction and Jewish victory. The appeal to both written documentation ("this letter") and eyewitness experience ("which they had seen") established Purim's historical legitimacy, distinguishing it from mythical celebrations. Archaeological evidence shows ancient communities carefully documented founding events of religious observances to maintain authentic tradition.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does naming Purim after Haman's divination lots illustrate that God transforms instruments of intended evil into monuments of His deliverance?
  2. What does grounding the festival in both written documentation and witnessed experience teach about the importance of historical reliability in religious observance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
עַל1 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֡ן2 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

קָֽרְאוּ֩3 of 23

“Wherefore they called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לַיָּמִ֨ים4 of 23

“these days”

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

הָאֵ֤לֶּה5 of 23
H428

these or those

הַפּ֔וּר6 of 23

“Purim”

H6332

a lot (as by means of a broken piece)

עַל7 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שֵׁ֣ם8 of 23

“after the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַפּ֔וּר9 of 23

“Purim”

H6332

a lot (as by means of a broken piece)

עַל10 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֕ן11 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

עַל12 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל13 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

דִּבְרֵ֖י14 of 23

“Therefore for all the words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָֽאִגֶּ֣רֶת15 of 23

“of this letter”

H107

an epistle

הַזֹּ֑את16 of 23
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וּמָֽה17 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

רָא֣וּ18 of 23

“and of that which they had seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עַל19 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּ֔כָה20 of 23

“concerning this matter”

H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

וּמָ֥ה21 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הִגִּ֖יעַ22 of 23

“and which had come”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃23 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

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 9:26 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 9:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 9:20Ezekiel 39:11Numbers 16:40

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