Esther 9 24

Esther 9:24 kjv

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;

Esther 9:24 nkjv

because Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to annihilate them, and had cast Pur (that is, the lot), to consume them and destroy them;

Esther 9:24 niv

For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction.

Esther 9:24 esv

For Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur (that is, cast lots), to crush and to destroy them.

Esther 9:24 nlt

Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them on the date determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim).

Esther 9 verses

Esther 9 24 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial explanation for the institution of the Feast of Purim. It unequivocally states that Haman, identified as "the Agagite," initiated a meticulously calculated plot to annihilate all Jews within the Persian Empire. His method involved casting a "Pur," or lot, to determine the most "propitious" day for this extermination, yet this very act ultimately set the stage for his downfall and the Jewish people's salvation.

Esther 9 24 Context

Esther chapter 9 records the victorious culmination of the Jews' defense against those who sought to destroy them on the 13th day of Adar. Following this victory, Mordecai and Esther issue a decree establishing the annual festival of Purim on the 14th and 15th of Adar. Verse 24 is a crucial part of this decree's justification, providing a concise summary of Haman's malevolent plan that necessitated the Jews' self-defense and the subsequent celebration. It looks back to the details provided in Esther chapter 3, reminding the audience of the origin of the conflict and specifically mentioning Haman's identity, his animosity, his genocidal aim, and the unique method he employed—casting lots—which lends its name to the festival. Historically, this period highlights the Jews living in diaspora under a powerful pagan empire, demonstrating divine protection and the community's resilience in the face of existential threat.

Esther 9 24 Word analysis

• because: Connects the reason for Purim (stated in vv. 20-22) to the source of the danger. It grounds the celebration in a historical act of malice.
• Haman: (הָמָן, Hāmān) The central antagonist. His name becomes synonymous with virulent anti-Jewish sentiment.
• the Agagite: (הָאֲגָגִי, ha’Agagī) A profoundly significant identifier. This links Haman to Agag, the king of the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:8), ancient, bitter enemies of Israel (Exod 17:16; Deut 25:17-19). This detail elevates Haman's hatred beyond personal animosity to an inherited, existential animus rooted in biblical history, embodying a perpetual spiritual warfare against God's people.
• the enemy: (צֹרֵר, tzorēr) Emphasizes the deep, personal animosity, denoting one who is a foe or persecutor.
• of all the Jews: Highlights the universal nature of Haman's plot; his hatred extended to every Jew, not just specific individuals or a segment of the community. This broad scope demanded a unified defense and response.
• had plotted: (חָשַׁב, ḥāšab) Literally, "had calculated," "thought," or "devised." This verb conveys deliberate and malicious intent, emphasizing a preconceived plan, not a spur-of-the-moment decision.
• against the Jews: Reiterates the clear target of Haman's malicious design.
• to destroy them: (לְאַבְּדָם, lə'abbədām) A strong Hebrew verb meaning "to cause to perish," "to annihilate," or "to utterly wipe out." It underlines the genocidal aim of Haman's plot.
• and had cast Pur—: (וְהִפִּיל פּוּר, wəhippîl Pûr) "Cast Pur" refers to the act of casting lots. "Pur" is an Akkadian loanword for "lot" or "fate," which gives the festival its name "Purim" (the plural of Pur). This method was a common form of divination in the ancient Near East, by which seemingly random outcomes were believed to reveal divine will or propitious times.
• that is, the lot—: (הוּא הַגּוֹרָל, hū' hagGôral) This explanatory phrase confirms the meaning of the foreign word "Pur" for the Hebrew audience using the common Hebrew term "goral" (lot). It highlights the foreign nature of Haman's custom, contrasting with the Jewish God's direct sovereignty.
• to crush them: (לְכַלּוֹתָם, ləḵallôṯām) Meaning "to make an end of them," "to consume," or "to finish off." It underscores the destructive, consumptive nature of Haman's goal, often implying a complete obliteration, emphasizing finality and absolute destruction beyond just "destroy."

• Haman the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews: This phrase concisely identifies the villain and immediately establishes the profound depth and universal scope of his hatred. It transforms the narrative from a mere political clash into a cosmic struggle against the enduring spirit of Amalek.
• had plotted against the Jews to destroy them: Emphasizes premeditation and murderous intent. It highlights that Haman's actions were not accidental but the result of deliberate malicious calculation aiming for total annihilation.
• had cast Pur—that is, the lot—to crush them: This highlights the pivotal ironic detail. Haman, in seeking a propitious day through a pagan practice, unwittingly subjected his own fate to the unseen hand of divine sovereignty. The seemingly random act of casting lots became the very mechanism by which God intervened to reverse the decree. This "casting" of fate ultimately backfired on Haman.

Esther 9 24 Bonus section

The very act of Haman casting the Pur highlights a significant theological truth: while human agents (even evil ones) attempt to determine destiny through their means, God maintains ultimate sovereignty over chance and outcomes (Prov 16:33). Haman believed he was relying on a neutral, external force to guide his evil, but the biblical narrative implies that even these "random" acts are superintended by God's plan. This points to the hiddenness of God (Hebrew: hester panim) in the book of Esther, where His name is never explicitly mentioned, yet His providential hand is undeniably active behind every "coincidence" and "chance" event. The designation of Haman as "the Agagite" underscores that this struggle transcends human history; it's a conflict mirroring God's ancient promise to forever oppose Amalek, suggesting a spiritual lineage of hatred against Israel that will always be ultimately thwarted by divine will.

Esther 9 24 Commentary

Esther 9:24 offers a foundational explanation for the celebration of Purim, encapsulating Haman's specific identity, deep-seated animosity, and calculated genocidal plot against the Jewish people. His designation as "the Agagite" is paramount, linking him to the perennial, God-cursed enemy Amalek, thereby elevating his hatred beyond a personal vendetta to an inherited spiritual battle. Haman's intent was not mere oppression but absolute annihilation, signified by the powerful Hebrew verbs "to destroy" (אבד) and "to crush" (כלה). The casting of the "Pur"—the lot—though a pagan ritual aimed at harnessing fortune for evil, underscores divine irony. It was through this seemingly random act that God's hidden hand directed events, ensuring that the day chosen for destruction became the day of deliverance for His people and judgment for Haman. The verse therefore establishes that Purim commemorates God's faithful preservation of His covenant people against an ancient, absolute foe, turning sorrow into joy and displaying His sovereignty over all human machinations, even those rooted in occult practices.