Esther 3:7

“In the first month, that is the month Nisan, etc.] Which was the first month of the sacred year of the Jews, by divine appointment, (<021202>Exodus 12:2 13:4), and there called Abib, and answers to part of February and part of March; from hence it is clear this book was written by a Jew, and very probably by Mordecai: in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus; four years and near two months after his marriage of Esther, (<170216>Esther 2:16), they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman; being a Persian word, it is explained in Hebrew a lot, the word signifying “steel” in the Persian language. Reland f113 conjectures that this was that sort of lot called “sideromantia”. Who cast this lot is not…”

“In the first month . . . they cast Pur, that is, the lot--In resorting to this method of ascertaining the most auspicious day for putting his atrocious scheme into execution, Haman acted as the kings and nobles of Persia have always done, never engaging in any enterprise without consulting the astrologers, and being satisfied as to the lucky hour. Vowing revenge but scorning to lay hands on a single victim, he meditated the extirpation of the whole Jewish race, who, he knew, were sworn enemies of his countrymen; and by artfully representing them as a people who were aliens in manners and habits, and enemies to the rest of his subjects, he procured the king's sanction of the intended…”

“In the first month ... - i. e. in March or April of 474 B.C. “Pur” is supposed to be an old Persian word etymologically connected with the Latin “pars”, and signifying “part” or “lot.” The practice of casting lots to obtain a lucky day still obtains in the East, and is probably extremely ancient. A lot seems to have been cast, or a throw of some kind made, for each day of the month and each month of the year. The day and month which obtained the best throws were then selected. Assyrian calendars note lucky and unlucky days as early as the eighth century B.C. Lots were in use both among the Oriental and the Classical nations from a remote antiquity. “Adar,” the twelfth month, corresponds…”

“They cast - The diviners cast lots, according to the custom of those people, what day, and what month would be most lucky, not for his success with the king (of which he made no doubt) but for the most effectual extirpation of the Jews. Wherein appears likewise both his implacable malice, and unwearied diligence in seeking vengeance of them with so much trouble to himself; and God's singular providence in disposing the lot to that time, that the Jews might have space to get the decree reversed. Esther 3:11”

“3:7 lots were cast . . . (the lots were called purim): Throwing the purim was like throwing dice. The Hebrews used lots from time to time to understand God’s will (Lev 16:8-10; Neh 10:34). Persian astrologers used purim in the first month of the year to determine which days that year would bring good fortune.”

“the first month: Neh 2:1 in the twelfth: Est 1:3, Est 2:16 they cast Pur: Est 9:24-26; Pro 16:33; Eze 21:21, Eze 21:22; Mat 27:35 Adar: Est 9:1, Est 9:5, Est 9:17-19, Est 9:21; Ezr 6:15 Esther 3:8”

“To ensure the success of this great undertaking, viz., the extermination of all the Jews in the kingdom, Haman had recourse to the lot, that he might thus fix on a propitious day for the execution of his project. Astrology plays an important part among all ancient nations, nothing of any magnitude being undertaken without first consulting its professors concerning a favourable time and opportunity; comp. rem. on Eze 21:26. Est 3:7 "In the first month, i.e., Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahashverosh, they cast Pur, i.e., the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to the twelfth month, i.e., the month Adar." The subject of הפּיל is left indefinite, because it is self-evident…”