Pur
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Pur in the Bible?
The Hebrew word pur, meaning lot, refers to the casting of lots used to determine fate, specifically in the Book of Esther where Haman employed this method to select an auspicious date for his plot against the Jewish people.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing pur as a divinatory lot illuminates the ancient worldview regarding chance and divine providence in the Book of Esther, while also explaining the etymological root of the festival name Purim, which commemorates the reversal of the fate intended by those cast lots.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Pur. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Pur in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pur clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Pur." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pur/