Esther 3 7

Esther 3:7 kjv

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 nkjv

In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, the lot), before Haman to determine the day and the month, until it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

Esther 3:7 niv

In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.

Esther 3:7 esv

In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

Esther 3:7 nlt

So in the month of April, during the twelfth year of King Xerxes' reign, lots were cast in Haman's presence (the lots were called purim) to determine the best day and month to take action. And the day selected was March 7, nearly a year later.

Esther 3 verses

Esther 3 7 Meaning

Esther 3:7 describes the meticulous and superstitious process undertaken by Haman to determine the "auspicious" date for the planned destruction of the Jewish people. In the first month, Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus's reign, lots (called Pur) were cast before Haman. This extensive ritual, performed from day to day and month to month, ultimately fixed the date for the twelfth month, Adar, giving a significant delay for divine intervention and the unfolding of events that would ultimately reverse Haman's decree.

Esther 3 7 Context

Esther 3:7 is situated directly after Haman's elevation to prime minister by King Ahasuerus and Mordecai's steadfast refusal to bow to him, a refusal rooted in his Jewish identity. Haman, filled with immense rage at Mordecai, decides to not only destroy Mordecai but "all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus" (Est 3:6). This verse marks Haman's first major step in implementing this genocidal decree: consulting pagan divination to find the optimal date for its execution. The events following this verse, notably Haman's obtaining the king's consent and seal for the decree (Est 3:8-15), further underscore the gravity of the threat and set the stage for Esther's heroic intervention and the miraculous reversal of fortune. The chosen timing, nearly a year after the decision, provides a crucial window for the unfolding narrative and divine deliverance.

Esther 3 7 Word analysis

• In the first month, which is the month Nisan: This sets a precise chronological marker. Nisan (נִיסָן, Nisan), is the first month of the Babylonian calendar year and the Jewish religious year, corresponding to March-April. This is significant because it's when Passover (Ex 12) is celebrated, though not mentioned.
• in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus: Further specific historical dating, anchoring the events in a known reign. This indicates a period of established stability in the Persian Empire under Ahasuerus (Xerxes I).
• they cast Pur: "They" is an indefinite third person, implying Haman's subordinates or sorcerers carrying out his bidding. "Pur" (פּוּר, pûr) is a Persian loanword meaning "lot" (plural purim). Its usage here highlights Haman's reliance on pagan superstitious practices, common in the ancient world for seeking guidance or determining auspicious times, especially for military or large-scale actions.
• that is, the lot: This parenthetical explanation is for the Hebrew audience, confirming the meaning of "Pur" and its foreign origin. It signifies the use of divination, typically by throwing marked stones, sticks, or tablets.
• before Haman: This shows Haman's direct oversight and vested interest in the outcome. He is the master planner, meticulous even in consulting a pagan ritual for his evil designs.
• from day to day, and from month to month: This phrase denotes an extensive, thorough, and drawn-out process of casting lots. It suggests that they sought the most favorable day by testing multiple possibilities, perhaps daily for each month until they hit what they perceived as an ideal outcome. It underscores Haman's obsessive malevolence and methodical nature.
• to the twelfth month, which is the month Adar: This is the result of the divination process. Adar (אֲדָר, ʼǎḏār) is the twelfth month of the Babylonian and Jewish calendars, corresponding to February-March of the following year. This means the casting of lots in Nisan (month 1) led to a decision for the genocide to take place nearly a full year later, in Adar (month 12). This delay, determined by the lot Haman trusted, proved providentially critical for the Jewish people to organize and for Esther to intercede, turning Haman’s supposed "auspicious" timing into God's appointed time for deliverance.

Words-group analysis

• "They cast Pur... before Haman": This group highlights the antagonist's reliance on occult practices, such as divination by lots, instead of seeking divine guidance or human counsel. This is an ironic demonstration of pagan superstition being integrated into state affairs, albeit for evil ends.
• "from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month Adar": This extended phrase emphasizes the duration and thoroughness of the lot-casting process. It signifies a long, methodical search for the "perfect" day, inadvertently creating a crucial delay. This delay from Nisan to Adar (almost a full year) provided ample time for Esther and Mordecai to act, for the plot to be revealed, and for the king's decrees to be modified. It serves as a profound testament to divine providence working through human, even wicked, actions to achieve His purposes.

Esther 3 7 Bonus section

The mention of "Pur" in this verse is highly significant as it directly provides the etymology for the Feast of Purim (Est 9:26). What began as a pagan device for determining a day of destruction was ultimately transformed into the name of a joyful Jewish festival commemorating salvation and reversal. This reappropriation of the term emphasizes the theme of God's hidden hand turning evil on its head. The meticulous nature of Haman's consultation also implicitly contrasts with a worldview of direct divine guidance; instead of seeking God, Haman sought what his pagan beliefs presented as "fate" or "chance." Yet, God, who oversees even the casting of lots (Prov 16:33), used this pagan ritual to set the timing for His people's salvation.

Esther 3 7 Commentary

Esther 3:7 illuminates Haman's meticulous malice, rooted in superstition. His decision to eradicate the Jews was not merely impulsive; it was consecrated, in his eyes, through the pagan practice of casting "Pur," or lots, to find the most "propitious" day for his evil. Ironically, this elaborate and time-consuming process, which ended up fixing the date almost a year away, became the very mechanism by which God provided the critical window for the Jewish community to respond and for Esther to rise to her appointed purpose. Thus, Haman's supposed "lucky draw" for destruction became God's strategic timing for deliverance, illustrating the divine ability to frustrate human schemes and bring about His will even through seemingly random or wicked actions.