Esther: Scripture or Fable?

Queen Esther lived during the time of the Jewish diaspora. Although Daud, "King David", was promised an everlasting dynasty in 1000 BC, and his son Shalamah ("Solomon") was commissioned to build the First Temple in Yarushalam shortly thereafter, no more than 80 years later the Nation of Yasharal was split into Two Kingdoms due to 10 Northern Tribes rebelling against Yahuah by setting up an alternative worship system. Whereas, the Southern Tribes comprised mainly of Yahudah, Banyamin and Shamun faithfully continued to worship in Yarushalam. Around 720 BC, the Northern House of Yasharal, often referred to as "Yisrael or Ephraim", were taken into captivity and scattered throughout the Assyrian kingdom to prevent a nationalistic uprising. The Southern Kingdom of Yasharal, often called "Yahudah", was all that remained of the "Nation of Yasharal" due to Yahuah's divorce from the Northern Kingdom for their disobedience to Him (Jer. 3:8), making the name Yahudah synonymous with Yasharal ever thereafter.

However, by this time the Southern Kingdom also found themselves rebelling against Yahuah, thus a divine judgement was sent against them as well (Jer. 25) fulfilling the prophesy of Deut. 28:15-68. By 606 BC, the 70 year period of captivity began for the Southern House of Yahudah and in 586 BC the Temple in Yarushalam was completely destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (2 Kings 24-25, Jer. 39, 2 Chron. 36). Although a tiny remnant remained in the land, the Father promised He would allow the Southern House to return to Yarushalam (Jer. 29:10, Jer. 32) despite their heinous crimes against Him being even worse than the Northern Kingdom's (Jer. 3:8-11). Just as Yasharal was judged for their sin and pride, as was Babylon (Isa. 6:1,8 & 13:17-20, Jer. 25:12). Although Babylon had conquered most of Assyria by then, and had become the greatest city in the world under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, only a short time after his death did Cyrus the Great become King over Persia, Media and Lydia and having grown in such power dared to take the great city of Babylon by 538 BC too. After its capture, where Nebuchadnezzar had all but decimated the Hebrew presence in the Promised Land, Cyrus (chosen by Alahym for this purpose, Isa. 44 & 45, 2 Chron. 36:21-23, Ezra 1:1-2 [Jer. 29:10, Dan. 9:25]) completely reversed the Decree of Exile authorizing the Yasharalym to return to the Promised Land by the Edict of Restoration and to rebuild the Temple, a proclamation recorded on the Cyrus Cylinder due to his deeply held convictions for human rights granting freedom of expression of the customs and religions of the lands in which he governed.

Thus by 536 BC, the first wave of Yahudy exiles begin to return to Yarushalam led by Zerubbabel, although not all Hebrews felt the need to return or to help rebuild the Temple to observe the torah in Yarushalam. In fact, although Ezra and Nehemiah say 42,360 came back (Ezra 2:64), this number pales in comparison to the 80,000 to hundreds of thousands or more who were said to have remained in diaspora. Although many did not return because they were too young or too old to make the dangerous 900 mile journey, a few remained in Persia because they held positions of leadership, but most simply refused to return out of general disobedience having grown to prefer the gentile customs and traditions of Babylon and Persian society. Regardless of the general apathy of the Yasharalym, the Achaemenid Dynasty, Zerubabbel and several Elders of the Southern Kingdom of Yasharal obeyed the Father by supporting Yasharal's Building of a Second Temple. However, instead of the grandiose design originally inspired in Ezekiel's Prophetic Temple vision, their smaller Temple did not only fail to even meet Solomon's Temple size and structure, but likewise failed to meet Ezekiel's Visionary expectations (Eze. 43:11, Jer. 3:10-13, Zech. 4:10, Hag. 2:3) due to the general unrepentance of the Yahudym remaining in diaspora.

Although Yahuah anointed Cyrus II the Great to proclaim the release of the captives and the rebuilding of the Temple, his posterity ultimately helped bring it to completion. In fact, it was his great grandson Artaxerxes I Longimanus, son of Xerxes I (Ahaseurus) who married Esther and played a crucial role in the completion of the Temple and its walls (Ezra 1, 3, 4 & 7, Nehemiah 1, 2 & 6:15). The work took about 20 years to finish due to lack of zeal and constant attacks waged on the builders from the surrounding nations, although Haggai was revealed the Second Temple would later be remodeled in Herod's day (Hag. 2:9) which finally exceeded Solomon's design, but even those renovations never grew large enough to satisfy the Ezekiel Vision leaving it as a Testimony to what could have been had our ancestors truly desired to worship the Father in "Spirit and in Truth" at that time.

Cyrus the Great's Dynasty and Zerubbabel's Second Temple

Although Scripture greatly discusses the time of Esther and the Dynasty of her husband, some New Torah Observant Believers fall into the trap of atheistic archaeologists' claims, finding themselves questioning the validity of the Book of Esther for "lack of historical evidence". However, Believers in Scripture must trust the Word and accept it as the basis for Truth. Our Faith should not be built on archeological evidence, but the remembrance of The Word by the Set Apart Spirit Who dwells in us when we place our Hope in the Messiah:

"Yahusha said to him, “T’oma, because you have seen Me, you have believed.

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

-John 20:30-31

We must remember historians are not gifted in "all wisdom", although the Word is inspired by the Set Apart Spirit; men simply study what is available to them at the time and as historical artifacts continue to be uncovered, our generation is now more informed on the validity of the Word than ever!

Regardless, some new Torah Observant Believers still struggle to observe Purym "in Spirit and in Truth". A few just aren't exactly sure how to properly celebrate the Festival of Lots, some may deem it "less important" than the other feasts and simply skip its observance, and some even outright reject the festival as a legitimate Appointed Time due to a few different beliefs. However, we must let Scripture speak to these concerns and let the Word direct our steps (Psalms 119:133), so let's consider each of these concerns and test them with Scripture and historical records.

- Purym is not listed with the "7 Festivals of Yahuah" in the first five books of the Modern Western Canon of Scriptures, therefore "must not be an official Appointed Time"

Although many Messianic Rabbi's teach the definition of "torah" is the first five books of the Modern Western Canon as the Unbelieving Jews define it (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy), Scripture undoubtedly reveals all of the Word, including those books of the oldest manuscripts and canons available to those of the First Century, are "good for instruction in Righteousness" (the very definition of "torah"). 2 Timothy 3 also confirms the Scribes used to record the Word did not invent the Word, therefore any commandments not elsewhere over-ruled are inspired by the Father through His Spirit leading them to make such Ordinances (laws) valid moving forward, just as if He spoke them Himself:

"But you, stay in what you have learned and trusted, having known from Whom you have learned, and that from a babe you have known the Set Apart Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for Deliverance through Belief in Messiah יהושע.

All Scripture is breathed by Alahym and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in Righteousness, that the man of Alahym might be fitted, equipped for every good work." -2 Timothy 3:14-17

In the first century, the Hebrews had a much larger Canon available to them, and although many early Believers, the Ethiopians and Tsadaq Levites still accepted this larger Canon as Divinely Inspired, some other sects such as the Hellenized Pharisees and Sadducees rejected many of those Inspired Books (Hebrew: cepheriym) and forced their Scribes to falsely interpret or mistranslate some of them due to certain passages opposing their Oral Laws and Doctrines. However, due to the Messiah's sharp rebukes for their rejection of His Word for their own traditions (Matt. 15:6 & 22:29), further Instruction in 2 Timothy 3, and by the Testimony of Jude (Jude 1:14) for the validity of such Books, many were called back into Canonization by the early church and were the basis for many early Christian bibles. Although, several of those Books which were retained by the early Believers were later once again rejected by their posterity during the Protestant Reformation (based on their own personal bias, fears and traditions). However, as 2 Timothy 3 Instructs, we should return to the earliest Manuscripts and Canons available to us as every Book of Scripture was given for our benefit towards good work in the Kingdom and we are not Scripturally authorized to "add or take away" from any of His Words (Jer. 8:8, Zeph. 3:9, Matt. 4:4, Prov. 30:5-6, Deut. 4:2, Rev. 22:18-19, 2 Pet. 3:15-16). One of those Books was 2 Maccabees, which in describing the Festival of Nicanor's origins, gives a second witness in Scripture besides the Book of Esther to the command to observe Purym:

"And Mordekai wrote these things, and sent cepheriym unto all the Yahudiym that were in all the provinces of the king Achashverosh, both nigh and far, To stablish this among them, that they should keep את the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, As the days wherein the Yahudiym rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Yahudiym את undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordekai had written unto them; Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagiy, the enemy of all the Yahudiym, had devised against the Yahudiym to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; But when Ecter came before the king, he commanded by cepheriym that his wicked device, which he devised against the Yahudiym, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Wherefore they called these days Puriym after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this cepher, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, The Yahudiym ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep את these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Puriym should not fail from among the Yahudiym, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. Then Ecter the queen, the daughter of Aviyhayil, and Mordekai the Yahudiy, wrote with all authority, to confirm את this second cepher of Puriym. And he sent the cepheriym unto all the Yahudiym, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Achashverosh, with words of peace and truth, To confirm these days of Puriym in their times appointed, according as Mordekai the Yahudiy and Ecter the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry."

-HADACCAH (ADDITIONS TO ESTHER) 14:20-31 את CEPHER

"They all decreed by public vote never to let that day (Festival of Nicanor) go by unobserved,

but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month,

called Adar in Aramaic, the eve of what is called The Day of Mordecai."

-2 Maccabees 15:37

- "There is no archaeological evidence of Esther or her husband in the historical archive, thus the story must be completely made up"

Beyond the Scriptures having much to say about Esther's husband, and consequentially briefly referring to her besides the Book of Esther (Nehemiah 2), and 2 Maccabees giving a Second Witness to the story of Purym origins, many historical artifacts have been recovered which detail the life of Esther, Achaemenid Period during his family's Dynasty, and some which specifically tell of the existence of Artaxerxes I.

Silver plates from the Persian King, Artaxerxes I

- Since Esther was written by Jews during diaspora, "the Festival of Lots must just be a man-made festival for Jews only" during the First Covenant Age

Many proponents of this argument seem to also reject the general Christian perspective which asserts "the Feasts outlined in the Torah were only given to the Hebrews/Tribes/Judah". When defending their position, Messianics often refer to the following passages to express there is only one Set Apart Nation, one Body of Messiah, there is only one Torah for all of His People, and it has always been so:

"There is one Torah for the native-born and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”

-Exodus 12:49

"16And you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it, ‘For Yahudah and for the Children of Yasharal, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Yusaph, the stick of Aphraym, and for all the House of Yasharal, his companions.’ 17Then bring them together for yourself into one stick, and they shall become one in your hand. 18And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Won’t you show us what you mean by these?’ 19say to them, ‘Thus said the Master Yahuah, “See, I am taking the stick of Yusaph, which is in the hand of Aphraym, and the Tribes of Yasharal, his companions. And I shall give them unto him, with the stick of Yahudah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in My hand.'" 20And the sticks on which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes. 21And speak to them, ‘Thus said the Master Yahuah, “See, I am taking the children of Yasharal from among the gentiles, wherever they have gone, and shall gather them from all around, and I shall bring them into their Land. 22And I shall make them one nation in the Land, on the mountains of Yasharal. And One King shall be Sovereign over them all, and let them no longer be two nations, and let them no longer be divided into two kingdoms." -Ezekiel 37:16-22

"Because there is no distinction between Yahudite and Greek,

for the same Master of all is rich to all those calling upon Him."

-Romans 10:12

"27For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah. 28There is not Jew nor Greek, there is not slave nor free, there is not male and female, for you are all one in Messiah Yahusha. 29And if you are of Messiah, then you are Seed of Abraham, and Heirs according to Promise." -Galatians 3:27-29

Therefore, if there is one law for both the Jew and the Gentile in Messiah, then we cannot say the command to honor a law is given to only one Tribe. Especially when the Father in Heaven makes no distinction, He simply considers us either Believers or Unbelievers. Obedient, or Disobedient... Furthermore, since the Book of Esther has been canonized for over two thousand years, it is considered "Scripture". 2 Timothy 3:16 also clarifies no Scripture is written by man or Jew, but by Yahuah Himself through the Inspiration of the Set Apart Spirit. Therefore, if all Scripture is "good for instruction (i.e. torah)" so we may be "equipped for every good work," then the Book of Esther is good for all Believers (including Gentile Converts since we are no longer "Two Sticks", but are joined to Yahudah as One Nation in Messiah), thus the Festival of Lots is a commanded Moedim (Appointed Time) of Yahuah for all Believers, everywhere every year, for all generations just as The Word says:

"The Yahudiym ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep את these two days according to their Writing, and according to their Appointed Time every year; And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these Days of Puriym should not fail from among the Yahudiym, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed."

-Additions to Esther 14:27-28

- The Hebrew version of Esther "doesn't include the Father's Name," nor "give glory to the Father" so it's not Scripture

A widely accepted fact amongst Biblical Manuscript Scholars is that although the Hebrew often offers special insight into the text, the Septuagint Greek Translation is a much older and more reliable manuscript than the Masoretic Hebrew Text produced by Unbelieving Talmud following Jews almost 1000 years later. This is an imperative realization, as the Jews who Faithfully translated the Greek Septuagint lived prior to the Messiah's First Coming, whereas the Jews who produced the Masoretic lived several hundreds of years later, and outright rejected the First Coming. That fact becomes evermore evident as many Masoretic passages go to great lengths to dissuade its readers to recognize the New Testament as authoritative by altering the verses in order to diminish the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. It even goes as far as removing many entire Books found within the Septuagint which speak lovingly of Him!

"22Who is the liar, except the one denying that יהושע is the Messiah?

This is the anti-messiah, the one denying the Father and the Son.

23No one denying the Son has the Father. The one confessing the Son has the Father as well. 24As for you, let that stay in you which you heard from the beginning.

If what you heard from the beginning stays in you,

you also shall stay in the Son and in the Father."

-1 John 2:22-24

This adversity against a Hebrew King Who would invite "Goyim" into the ranks of His Set Apart Nation was so repulsive to the Masoretic Jews, it isn't a wonder they would alter passages and verses which reveal the Father in Heaven's hand in the Story of Esther who found herself in a Gentile Court. However, as 1 John 2 tells us, we should stay in what we heard in the Beginning, not allow "new versions" which changed His Word to reign supreme. This sentiment is echoed in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 as well. The version of Esther which existed in the earliest Septuagint based Canons is actually much longer than the Masoretic Hebrew version and includes the Father's Name several times throughout the Book, while often directly glorifying the Father. This is presumably the same manuscript recently found in the Dead Sea Scrolls as it is "much longer" than the traditional Masoretic version (and also much older by that account). While many claim the Book of Esther has "never been found at the Dead Sea Caves" (therefore falsely asserting this "proves" it was not Canonized), there is sufficient evidence the Qumran Cave dwellers were very familiar with the Book, at minimum, and looked upon it approvingly. However, an unbiased review of the evidence suggests actual fragments were found there as well. It has been reported a translator from the authoritative Qumran Scroll scholars rejected the Book of Esther based on the corrupted Masoretic Text, as many do today, and could not accept the evidence as such. Therefore, he simply dismissed it (just as Scrolls discussing the Messiah were rejected simply on the basis that it was "impossible"). Regardless, other Scrolls such as Nehemiah are still debated.

Dead Sea Scrolls Fragments as Compared with Esther

4QprEsth ard ii 6 reads: “[H]is wickedness will return on his own [head …].” This parallels Esther 9:25: “[H]is wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head.”

4QprEsth ard ii 3: describes honor being given to a queen, in the form of a “[royal …] crown of go[ld upon] her [he]ad.” This parallels Esther 2:17: “[H]e set the royal crown upon her head.”

4QprEsth ara 3-5 reads, in part: “At that same hour the temper of the king was stretched [… the bo]oks of his father should be read to him and among the books was found a scroll … it was found written within ….” This parallels Esther 6:1-2: “On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written …”

4QprEsth ard I iv 2-3 describe: “A man of Judah, one of the nobles of Benjam[in …] an exile ….” This parallels Esther 2:5-6: “[A] certain Jew … a Benjamite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives.” And in a line of text near this reference, Milik proposes the following reconstruction: “[אנה אס[תר” “[… as for] me, Es[ther].”

As for the Greek Manuscripts, some Protestant church fathers like Martin Luther were not fond of this translation (although he also rejected many other Canonized Texts as well), many early Christians did accept this version which you can read more about here. This version of Esther is still included in many Canons today, such as the New English Translation of the Septuagint, 1560 Geneva, and Catholic bibles and may also be found under the book entitled "Additions to Esther" in the Eth Cepher which is often referenced in this study.

Oldest Manuscript of Esther known besides the Qumran Scrolls (Greek Text)

- The story of Esther seems to have no real spiritual purpose and "sounds more like a Babylonian princess fable of sorts"

When we study the Book of Esther in light of the New Covenant Love Story found throughout the Word, we begin to see how Esther's story compares to the Bride of Messiah as a Royal Nation. Since each Scriptural Festival tells a portion of the Love Story between Yahuah and His People through the Saving Redemption of the Messiah, we can understand this last festival of the year is best celebrated as the Consummation of which they all prepare us for: The Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

1) Just as the King of Persia sent away his first disobedient wife, so the Father sent away His People for their disobedience:

31“See, the days are coming,” declares Yahuah, “when I shall make a New Covenant with the House of Yasharal and with the House of Yahudah, 32not like the Covenant I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My Covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares Yahuah. 33For this is the Covenant I shall make with the House of Yasharal after those days, declares Yahuah: I shall put My Torah in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts. And I shall be their Alahym, and they shall be My people." -Jeremiah 33:31-33

"6And Yahuah said to me in the days of Yashyah the Sovereign, “Have you seen what backsliding Yasharal has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there committed whoring. 7And after she had done all these, I said ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Yahudah saw it. 8And I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Yasharal had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Yahudah did not fear, but went and committed whoring too. 9And it came to be, through her frivolous whoring, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and wood. 10And yet for all this her treacherous sister Yahudah has not turned to Me with all her heart, but falsely,” declares Yahuah." 11And Yahuah said to me, “Backsliding Yasharal has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Yahudah. 12Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, ‘Return, O backsliding Yasharal,’ declares Yahuah, ‘I shall not look on you in displeasure, for I am kind,’ declares Yahuah, ‘and I do not bear a grudge forever. 13‘Only, acknowledge your crookedness, because you have transgressed against Yahuah your Alahym, and have scattered your ways to strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice,’ declares Yahuah. 14Return, O backsliding children,” declares Yahuah, “for I shall rule over you, and shall take you, one from a city and two from a clan, and shall bring you to Tsayan. 15And I shall give you shepherds according to My heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. 16And it shall be, when you have increased, and shall bear fruit in the land in those days,” declares Yahuah, “that they no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of Yahuah,’ Neither would it come to heart, nor would they remember it, nor would they visit it, nor would it be made again."

-Jeremiah 3:6-16

2) Just as the Father announced the Wedding Supper of the Lamb and has called now many to prepare themselves as a Pure and Spotless Bride, and "wise virgins full of oil," (Matt. 25, Luke 14, Eph. 5:27, Rev. 19:7-9), so the Persian King announced a Wedding and invited all the maidens of his kingdom to come to His Palace to prepare themselves to come in (Add. to Esther 4:2-4), but only Haddassah listened to his desires and followed his exact instructions and therefore chosen (Esther 2:15-17).

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

-Matthew 22:14

3) Just as the Bride all dressed in white now has access to the most Set Apart Place by humbling herself, confessing, and trusting in the mercy and grace of the Most High (Hebrews 10:19-20), so Haddassah was granted favor to access the Throne Room when she too could have been put to death, but due to her revealing her identity, authority as a co-heir to the Throne and favor of the King, she too was saved through love and protection of Yahuah (Add. to Esther 8:1-2, Add. to Esther 9).

- Jews traditionally celebrate the Festival with costumes or masquerades, seemingly as an unrighteous "Jewish Halloween or Mardi Gras"

Although Esther does give explicit instructions on how to observe and celebrate the Festival of Lots, we see no encouragement to dress up in costume. However, similar this tradition seems to be to those particular gentile customs, in fact this tradition is not based on Halloween or Mardi Gras, but an intentional effort to celebrate Esther's story as a Jew living hidden amongst Gentiles until her true identity was uncovered. Beyond her actual Jewish/Hebrew ancestry being concealed, her assumed name while masquerading as a simple Persian also hinted at her purpose like all good Hebrew names do.

"Esther" is an English version of the Hebrew name "Astar", from the Hebrew word "hastar" meaning "hidden" which was assumed by Haddassah to conceal her Hebrew Identity (presumably because the name is also popular in Babylonian in reference to a fertility goddess which is a huge play on words! The perfect mask). "Haddassah" was Esther's given name, meaning "myrtle" said to be based on Zechariah 1:8 which references the Righteous as "myrtles", in retrospect Esther being a shadow of the "Bride of Messiah" also called "Yashar-Al, or the 'Righteous of Alahym'" who like Haddassah are faithful, humble and righteous!

Regardless, keeping the instructions in Spirit and in Truth would not incorporate unrighteous customs which the Father does not delight. While traditions are not inherently wicked (2 Thess. 2:15), if we find ourselves partnering in the worldly activities which torah forbids, it would be best to check our heart and return to the Pure Laws of the Covenant this Feast is meant to represent!

How to Celebrate the Festival of Lots

There is much beauty in each festival, and Purym (traditionally "Purim", or "The Festival of Lots") is no different! We have many traditions based on the instructions and story of the Book of Esther which include lots of feasting and fun.

1) Fast: have a fast on the 11th of Adar reflecting on how Yah heard His People's cry for deliverance during their 3 day fast and saved them (Esther 4:3, 4:16 & 9:13)

2) Have a Set Apart Assembly & Read the Megillah: (Esther 9:18-32, Add. To Esther 14:27-32 & 15:13)

3) Have a Persian themed joyful Feast: (Esther 9:22); There is a traditional recipe still used in the region called "Persian Love Cake" commemorative of an old story about a woman who prepared a huge banquet for a Persian Prince to make him fall in love with her (strikingly comparative with the Story of Esther in her pursuit of the King of Persia's favor, Esther 5)! For other Persian recipes check out our Pinterest Board here.

4) Give gifts to the poor: memorializing the king's gifts to his subjects during the 7 day Festival of Esther in the month of Adar (Esther 2:18 & 9:22, Add. 14:22)

5) Mishloach Manot (Hebrew: משלוח מנות‎ [miʃˈlo.aχ maˈnot], literally, "sending of portions": make food baskets & other gourmet goodies for friends which celebrates how Esther was selected as Queen after she "was given special portions" from the King's eunuch during her 12 month preparations! (Esther 2:9 & 9:22, Add. to Esther 14:22)

6) Spa Party: Make sugar scrubs, salt baths, bath bombs, body butters, mud masks, etc. mixed with myrrh, frankincense, lavender, rose oil, and other fragrant oils & pedicures, manicures and facials to memorialize the maidens 12 months of "purification" (6 months of oil of myrrh and 6 months of fragrance) and symbolic of the Bride of Messiah pressing into the sanctification process to become a pleasing aroma before the Father prepared for the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

Candidates for queen came to the king’s palace in Susa from “all the provinces of his kingdom” (Esther 2:2). The Persian Empire extended east toward India and west toward Greece. It encompassed expansive deserts and a sub-tropical area along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The climate in most of the kingdom was hot, dry, desert or semi-desert. Droughts and shortage of rainfall were common. Weather along the two rivers was humid, but regions distant from the Tigris-Euphrates plain suffered blistering heat. Southern winds blowing off the Persian Gulf kicked up sandstorms, and dry winds blew down from the north.

One of Hegai’s objectives was to heal the effects of heat, wind and evaporation. Six months of oils addressed troublesome conditions such as cracking, wrinkling, wind damage, sunburn, healing of sores and skin diseases. Several of the oils available in Esther’s time had disinfectant and anti-fungal properties. Because every young woman underwent a thorough oil exfoliation, skin disorders were noted and treated. The king was protected from picking up skin diseases and infections that could have been introduced into the harem.

What is known of the Healing Oils?

The words that form the basis of “beauty treatment” are translated “to scour, polish”. This likely refers to an ancient Persian deep exfoliation treatment using "kiseh and sefitab" or "leef and white water" which scrubs the outer layer of dead skin away to reveal velvety smooth skin.

Kiseh and Sefitab which has been used for thousands of years in the Persia

In a dry climate subject to drought and water shortage, people did not bathe frequently. The twelve-month process might be thought of as a cleansing, hygienic exfoliation, followed by a refinement with fragrances. After six months of basic skin health care, Hegai’s attendants incorporated oils, spices and fragrances to enhance (polish) each girl’s natural beauty. Although scripture doesn’t reveal much, it is thought that the women had daily massages with olive oil, myrrh oil and honey to moisturize, heal, disinfect and promote uplifting emotions.

Olive oil: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, soothes inflammation and heals burns, softens skin texture and cures dandruff

Argon oil: healthy glowing skin

Honey: a natural moisturizer, honey plays a role in. It retains moisture, is mildly antiseptic, and has been found helpful in healing acne caused by hormonal changes

Myrrh oil: increases spiritual awareness and strengthens memory, effective in treating candida, yeast and ringworm, effective as a wound dressing, has anti-aging and hormone-like properties, reported to stimulate circulation, decrease inflammation and bruising, soothe inflamed skin, treats wrinkles, corrects sunspots, heals fungal infections, heals mouth sores, alleviates stretch marks, and repel parasites and insects

Frankincense oil: moisturizes, increases spiritual awareness, decreases inflammation, boosts immune system, corrects sunspots, heals scars, burns and bruises

Geranium oil: tightens and tones skins, balances oil and dry skin, balances hormones

What is known about Fragrant Oils?

To make fragrant oils, women placed resins of myrrh, or any of a number of aromatic peels, leaves, petals, or spices such as cinnamon and saffron into stone bottles of oil. The bottles sat in the sun for several days. Each morning the aromatic matter was refreshed, until the scent had sufficiently infused the oil.

Esther humbly accepted the king's chamberlain's advice, only following what he knew the king liked and once ready presented herself and was "pure and fragrant" before him (Esther 2:12, Add. To Esther 4:12); just as we must prepare ourselves with entering His House, following His commands, and preparing ourselves by proving our faith by our works as we collect "oil in our lamps" (see 10 wise virgins parable in Matt. 25:1-13) allowing the purification (sanctification process) to happen until we become as "a sweet smell before Him" (2 Corin 2:14-15).

Rose Oil: treats depression, anxiety, fights acne, anti-aging, boosts libido, improves dysmenorrhea (PMS pain), fragrant aroma

Lavender Oil: anti-oxidant, treats diabetes, improves mood and stress, supports brain function, treats anxiety, improves sleep, insomnia and pain, balances stress hormones, an adaptogenic herb, helps digestion, treats bug bites, burns, cuts and scrapes, promotes healthy skin and hair, relieves headaches, natural perfume

Jasmine Oil: treats stress, reduces anxiety, fights depression, increases alertness, improves concentration, promotes healthy skin: treats dry skin, anti-aging, reduces inflammation, balances oily skin and treats psoriasis, reduces blemishes, prevents wrinkles and fine lines, calms shaving irritation; calming, fights low energy and chronic fatigue syndrome, natural remedy for PMS, helps sleep, improves immunity and fights infections, flowery fragrance

7) Persian Tea Party: have rock candy, Persian tea, sugar cubes, nuts, dried fruits, Persian sweets like baklava and Turkish delight to memorialize the king's 7 day Banquet Festival for (Esther 2:17) & Esther's 2 day Banquet for the King (Esther 5:8); represents the Wedding Supper of the Lamb as the "Whore of Babylon" was put away and the Bride prepared herself (Rev. 19).

8) War Games: ax-throwing, shooting bow and arrows, crossbows, knife throwing, capture the flag, self-defense training to memorialize the men of Yasharal preparing for the Battle of Adar for 1 year (Esther 3:7-15); foreshadowing us preparing ourselves to be saved from the Battle of Armageddon when the Messiah Returns when the Banquet is celebrated by the Righteous instead of the Wicked (Revelation 19).

9) Have a sackcloth race: memorialize Yasharalym mourning in sackcloth for fear of destruction until Esther came before the King and found grace in His sight and they were saved (Esther 4:1-8, 1 Corin. 9:24, Hebrews 12:1); also commemorates us coming to the Father by believing the Gospel, mourning our sin and accepting His grace and mercy which saves us, and blessing Him through our life by "fighting the good fight" and "finishing the race set before us".

10) Cast the Lots: memorialize the "casting of the lots" Haman made on the 13th of the first month (Nissan) to destroy Yasharal on the 13th of the Month of Adar which ultimately returned upon his own head as Yah delivered His People in the battle (Add. To Esther 5:6-13, 15:9-13); Yah said He made 2 Lots, one for His People and one for the other nations (1 forgiven and delivered and 1 destroyed, just as in the 2 goats for the Day of Atonement (1 goat lives but carries their sin and are separated from Alahym by being sent into the Wilderness but 1 goat dies as a burnt offering so their sins were atoned for [Levi. 16]); also commemorative of how they cast lots for the Messiah's garments, but once He was crucified He became our eternal propitiation so we might be saved if we believe in Him and also lay down our lives to follow Him (Mark 15:24). To celebrate Purym by Casting the Lots, we like to play dice games like "Yah-Zee" or a Food/Spa Basket Exchange Game using giant dice you can download for free here.

11) Make crowns and scepters: memorialize Esther receiving a crown and grace from the king as he approved of her by his sceptre when she approached Him (Esther 2:17); she was offered to co-rule with Him up to half of the kingdom (Esther 5:6) just as the Messiah has offered us grace making us "Kings and Queens of Righteousness" when we boldly approach the Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16 & 10:19-23).

Ultimately Purym teaches us Yah honors humility and meekness and detests pride and coveting, and how Yah can use the hearts of kings or even just ordinary people to do extraordinary feats for His Glory.