Esther 9:26

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,

Esther 9:26 (KJV)

Context

The book of Esther tells how a Jewish girl named Esther became queen of Persia and helped save her people from a plot to destroy them. In Esther 9, the Jews defend themselves successfully, and the day of victory becomes the festival of Purim. This verse explains why the feast received that name and why the Jews agreed to observe it.

Meaning

The word “Purim” means “lots.” Haman, the enemy of the Jews, cast lots to choose the day for their destruction, as recorded in Esther 3:7. The name Purim (the plural of Pur) keeps that evil plan in memory, but it also shows that God overturned it. The verse says the Jews called these days Purim “after the name of Pur,” and they did so because of Mordecai’s letter and because of what they had seen and experienced. Their celebration was not sudden or casual; it was a deliberate, written, and shared response to their deliverance.

Biblical connections

Mordecai’s letter, mentioned in this verse, instructed all Jews to observe these days each year with feasting, joy, sending gifts to one another, and giving to the poor (Esther 9:20-22). The people “undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them” (Esther 9:23). This pattern of written instruction and communal celebration ensured that every generation, family, province, and city would remember God’s saving work (Esther 9:28). The name Purim itself is a reminder that human schemes, even those decided by chance, are subject to God’s sovereign control.

Application

Esther 9:26 teaches the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and passing those stories to the next generation. Just as the Jews received a written letter and responded together, believers today can use Scripture and shared testimony to keep God’s works alive. When facing difficulty, trust that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people, even when His name is not mentioned. Celebrate His deliverance with joy, generosity, and gratitude, and share those accounts with others.

Reflection

Purim shows that what was meant for harm became a reason for rejoicing. The same God who turned Haman’s lot into a day of victory still works through ordinary events and human decisions. Let this verse encourage you to look for God’s hand in your own history and to honor Him by remembering and telling what He has done.