What is Purim? The Holiday Based on the Story of Queen Esther

The book of Ester is ten chapters long and tells the full story. Let me briefly summarize what happened. 

King Xerxes threw a big party where he showed off his wealth for 187 days. On the last day, King Xerxes (who was happy on way too much wine) commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before all the men so they could gaze upon her beauty. When she refused to come (and who can blame her? I for one wouldn’t subject myself to a horde of drunken men intent on ogling me), the king was furious and banished her from his presence forever. Eventually, a young girl named Hadassah (also called Esther) wins the King’s heart and becomes the new Queen. But Esther had a secret. She hid her Jewish nationality.

Enter Mordecai, Queen Esther’s cousin, who had raised her as his own daughter after her parents died. While at the king’s gate, Mordecai overheard two men plotting to kill King Xerxes. He told Queen Esther, who told the king. The two men were discovered and killed, and the event was recorded in the king’s book of history. 

And now we meet our antagonist. Haman was promoted to the position of the most powerful official in the empire. He was second only to the king. Everyone bowed down to Haman when he passed them in the streets – everyone but Mordecai. Haman became enraged and when he learned that Mordecai was a Jew, he decided that getting revenge on Mordecai wasn’t enough. He wanted to destroy every single Jew in the empire. Lots (purim) were cast to determine when this destruction should take place. 

The evil Haman approached King Xerxes and convinced him to issue a decree that on a certain day all Jews must be killed, completely annihilating them from the empire. Terror swept through the Jewish people when they learned of the decree and Mordecai sent word to Queen Esther asking her for help. 

After much prayer Queen Esther risks her very life by going to King Xerxes without being invited. When he welcomes her and extends the gold scepter, she invites him and Haman to a banquet just for the two of them. At the banquet she invites them to another banquet the following night. Haman is thrilled, yet his mood is ruined when he sees Mordecai after the first banquet. He plots with his wife and friends and has a 75-foot sharpened pole set up in his courtyard. He was going to use it to impale Mordecai. 

But while Haman is plotting Mordecai’s demise, King Xerxes is having a bout of insomnia. He orders the book of history to be brought and read to him and learns of the plot against his life that was thwarted by Mordecai. When he found out nothing had ever been done to honor Mordecai, he makes Haman put one of the king’s robes on Mordecai, put him on a horse that the king had ridden, and lead him through the city square while shouting, “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!” (Esther 6:11) Haman is completely humiliated. 

During the banquet that night Queen Esther reveals that she is Jewish and asks the king for her life and the life of her people. She revealed that it was all a plot by wicked Haman. Haman is terrified and begs Queen Esther for his life, falling on the queen’s couch where she is reclining. The king sees and is furious. When he learns of the sharpened pole that Haman made to kill Mordecai, he orders Haman to be impaled on it instead. 

King Xerxes learns of his queen’s relation to Mordecai and makes him second in command in place of Haman. But what now of the king’s irrevocable decree? Mordecai writes a new decree in the king’s name giving the Jewish people the right to unite and defend their lives. Suddenly the Jewish people are honored throughout the empire because of the king’s favor and their Jewish queen. Instead of being destroyed that day, the Jewish people defended their lives and killed their enemies. 

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Mordecai and Queen Esther decreed the celebration of Purim. Mordecai “told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy" (Esther 9:22, NLT).

“These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.” (Esther 9:28)

Purim is still celebrated today! 

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Like it was originally celebrated, Purim is celebrated with great joy. Kelly-Jayne McGlynn says that Purim “is one of the liveliest holidays on the Jewish calendar, involving costumes, charity, and parties.”

Sam Nadler is a Jewish believer in Jesus. He wrote the book Messiah in the Feasts of Israel. Chapter 9 is about Purim. He writes:

Every year on the fourteenth day of Adar (usually in March) Jewish people around the world celebrate Purim (“Lots”). Traditions include the public reading or chanting of the entire Esther Scroll and performing a Purim play (Purimshpil), which tells the Esther story. Though the story itself is dramatic, the plays can be quite comical and raucous. The audience participates by ‘booing’ and even rattling noise-makers at every mention of the villainous Haman while loudly cheering on Mordecai and Esther, the hero and heroine. Another tradition is baking and eating fruit filled tringle shaped pastry called Hamamtashen in Yiddish and “Haman’s ears” in Hebrew.

Annette Griffin writes that Purim is also celebrated by giving charitably to at least two people, sending at least two ready-made food items to a close Jewish acquaintance, and eating a Purim feast. 

It sounds like a lot of food and fun to me! But can Christians celebrate this festival? 

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When I started writing this article, I wasn’t sure if Christians should celebrate Purim. My initial thought was sure, why couldn’t they? But I’m not Jewish so I was hesitant. After studying the book of Esther and doing some research, I can enthusiastically say, Yes! 

Remember the verse we read above? Esther 9:28 says, “This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.” As Christians, we can remember the events that led to Purim and how God saved His people. 

I found a great video by Leilani Melendez. She has a YouTube channel called Living With Eve. In this short video she shares 5 reasons why Christians should consider celebrating Purim. I found it so interesting and helpful, and I think you will too. (If you’re confused when she says King Ahasuerus, know that’s just another name for King Xerxes.) If you have kids, Purim is an especially fun holiday to celebrate instead of Halloween.

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Purim can teach us several things. I think the biggest lesson we get out of the story of Esther is that God is in control. Just look at how evil Haman was and all the things that went wrong. Yet God worked in mysterious ways. He made a way when it seemed like there was no way. He can do that for us too. Nothing is too hard for Him.

Purim reminds us to be bold. When Queen Esther reminded Mordecai that going to the king without being invited could get her killed, he said those famous words: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14). God has placed each of us here on this earth for such a time as this. What would He have us do with the time we’re given? 

Purim also teaches us the importance of prayer and fasting. Before Queen Esther risks approaching the king, she tells Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die” (Esther 4:16).

One last thing. Purim reminds us to celebrate life. It’s a reminder to be glad and joyful. Life is hard and it’s okay to have a feast and celebrate all that God has done. Do you think you’ll celebrate Purim this year?

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