פּוּר
𐤐𐤅𐤓
Pur
H6332 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A 'lot,' that is, a physical object (such as a stone or shard) used for casting lots, a method of decision-making or assigning portions by chance or divine will; by extension, 'Purim' is the plural form and refers specifically to the lots cast by Haman to determine the date for his anti-Israelite decree in the Book of Esther and, subsequently, to the festival commemorating Israelite deliverance.
Semantic Range
lot (object used in casting lots), casting of lots, Purim (festival name), method of selection by lot
Root / Etymology
From the root פּוּר, though the precise Hebrew root is uncertain; the form appears to be a loanword, likely of Old Persian origin (cf. Persian pūr, 'lot'). The biblical noun פּוּר refers to an object used in drawing lots. The plural פּוּרִים refers to the festival derived from this act.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word פּוּר appears only in the Book of Esther (Esther 3:7; 9:24, 26), where it denotes the lots cast by Haman to choose a fateful day. The resulting plural 'Purim' is the name of one of the last Israelite festivals to enter the Hebrew Bible, celebrated for the people's deliverance. The term is a rare, probably foreign loanword, as 'lots' elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible are usually גּוֹרָל (gōrāl), e.g., casting lots for land (Joshua) or assignments (Leviticus). The concept of 'lots' as divinatory objects for making decisions was widespread in the ancient Near East. English 'Pur, Purim' are transliterations, not standard translations. The word does not imply 'fate' or 'chance' directly: it refers concretely to the act or objects of lot-casting. In later tradition, 'Purim' becomes closely associated with Judean identity and festival practices, but in the biblical period it is a new introduction tied specifically to the Esther narrative and post-exilic context (Persian period).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
also (plural) פּוּרִים; or פֻּרִים; from פּוּר; a lot (as by means of a broken piece); Pur, Purim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פור (p-w-r) — lot, casting lots, selection by chance
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6331 | פּוּר | I will cause to shatter |
| H6333 | פּוּרָה | grape-crushing vat |
| H6512 | פֵּרָה | dug-out pits |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6332-03 |
הַ/פּוּרִ֣ים | hapurim | HTd/Np |
of Purim | the lots | 4 |
H6332-04 |
פּוּר֩ | pur | HNcmsa |
Pur | lot | 2 |
H6332-01 |
פוּרִים֙ | furim | HNp |
of Pur. | Lots | 1 |
H6332-02 |
הַ/פּ֔וּר | hapur | HTd/Ncmsa |
the words | the lot | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6332-04 |
Esther 3:7 | פּוּר֩ | pur | HNcmsa |
Pur | lot |
H6332-04 |
Esther 9:24 | פּוּר֙ | pur | HNcmsa |
Pur | lot |
H6332-01 |
Esther 9:26 | פוּרִים֙ | furim | HNp |
of Pur. | Lots |
H6332-02 |
Esther 9:26 | הַ/פּ֔וּר | hapur | HTd/Ncmsa |
the words | the lot |
H6332-03 |
Esther 9:28 | הַ/פּוּרִ֣ים | hapurim | HTd/Np |
the-Purim | the lots |
H6332-03 |
Esther 9:29 | הַ/פּוּרִ֛ים | hapurim | HTd/Np |
Purim | the lots |
H6332-03 |
Esther 9:31 | הַ/פֻּרִ֨ים | hapurim | HTd/Np |
of Purim | the lots |
H6332-03 |
Esther 9:32 | הַ/פֻּרִ֖ים | hapurim | HTd/Np |
of Purim | the lots |