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