Facts and Characters - Purim, March 20, 2008-March 23, 2008
| Word/Name | Definition | Bible Verses | Other Info |
| Esther |
Esther -- Secret, hidden
Hadas'sah -- She was a Jewess named Hadas'sah (the myrtle), but when she entered the royal harem she received the name by which she henceforth became known |
1--Esther
2:7,15; 2--Esther 2:17 3--Esther 2-22 4--Esther 4; 5; 6; 7; 8 & 9 |
1--Niece
of Mordecai & an orphan 2--Chosen queen 3--Tells the king of the plot against his life 4--Fasts on account of the decree to destroy the Israelites; Accuses Haman to the king; intercedes for her people |
| King Ahasuerus | the lion king |
Esther
1-1 Esther 1-3 |
prince, head,chief |
| Mordecai | contrition, bitter, bruising |
Esther
2-5,6 Esther 2-7 Esther 2-21-23 Esther 6:1-11 Esther 8-1,2,15 Esther 10:1-3 |
Intercedes with Ahasuerus for the Jews; establishes the festival of Purim in commemoration of their deliverance |
| Haman |
noise, tumult & magnificent
The Jews hiss whenever his name is mentioned on the day of Purim. |
Esther
3:1 Esther 7:10 |
He
was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai.
The Targum and Josephus interpret the inscription of him--the Agagite --as signifying that he was of Amalekitish descent. |
| Eunich/Chamberlain |
Eunuch
-- The English form of the Greek word which means bed-keeper
Chamberlain -- an officer attached to the court of a king, who formerly had charge of the private apartments or chambers of the palace. |
Chamberlain - Esther 1-10-15 Esther 2:3-21 Esther 4:4,5 |
It
was a post of honor which involved great intimacy and influence with
the king.
The Hebrew word saris, thus translated in Esther 1:10,15; 2:3,14,21, etc., properly means an eunuch. |
| Interesting information about the book of Esther | Famous quote from Esther is "You were born for such a time as this...." |
The author is not known.
Written in Hebrew but mixed with some words of Persian origin and some of the Chaldaic affinity. |
Written in B.C. 444, 434.
A peculiarity of this book that the name of God does not once occur in it. |
| Vashti |
Hitchcocks says: that drinks & thread Smith's says: beautiful |
Esther
1:9-22
& Esther 2:1,4,17 |
the "queen" of Ahasuerus, who, for refusing to show herself to the king’s guests at the royal banquet, when sent for by the king, was repudiated and deposed. |
Mishloach Manot Gifts to friends:
Al
HaNisim Prayer - A special prayer is added to commemorate the miracle of
Purim,
a miracle that extends to our day to day life
Tzedakah Gifts to the Poor - Help the poor share in the happiness of Purim
Give
Tzedakah!
Seudat Purim - Purim Festive Meal Celebrate this Festive Meal with a
high-meaning,
low-calorie banquet with your family and friends...
Megilah Reading - Let others hear and share your happiness...This is the
time to make
your soul dance to the beat of Purim.
Since the word for "gifts"—manot—is in the plural rather than the
singular, the rabbis
have interpreted this mitzvah to require at lease two gifts to be sent.
Questions & Answers
Ok so why does a Christian even need to know about Purim? It is in the Bible
Isn't it just a Jewish feast and celebration? Yes, but we have much to learn
from Esther
about obedience, fasting, and most importantly trusting the Lord and His
sovereignity.
How should a Christian celebrate this feast? It is not mandatory to
celebrate the Old
Testament feasts, though it does offer a good learning opportunity for
any Christian family.