In the Bible, Adar is the sixth month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar and the twelfth month in the civil calendar. It is significant for the celebration of Purim, as it marks the victory of the Jews over their enemies in the time of Esther (Esther 9:26-28).
Scripture
7 In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them.
9 If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.”
10 So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews.
11 Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king’s satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring.
12 Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king’s satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring.
13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.
14 A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province by proclamation to all the peoples to be ready for that day.
15 The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.
Meaning of Adar in the Bible
The month of Adar holds profound significance in the biblical narrative, particularly exemplified through the celebration of Purim. This festival commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot orchestrated by Haman, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The joy and festivity associated with Purim, which are emphasized in Esther 9:28—”that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation”—reflect the overarching theme of hope, survival, and divine intervention against adversity. The timing of Purim in Adar serves as a reminder of the people’s resilience, highlighting the belief that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, faith and unity can lead to triumph.
Moreover, Adar being the month where sorrow is transformed into joy is symbolic of the spiritual significance embedded in its observance. According to the Talmud, “When Adar enters, we increase in joy” (Taanit 29a). This proclamation emphasizes a shift in perspective where a season associated with darkness, danger, or despair can instead become a time of celebration and hope. The broader meaning of Adar encapsulates not just historical events but acknowledges the cyclical nature of life and faith. Adar thus becomes a period reflecting the transformative power of divine providence and communal strength, urging believers to embrace hope in their struggles and rejoice in their deliverances.
In addition to the events surrounding Purim, the month of Adar also signifies an important transition within the Jewish calendar, embodying a period of reflection and renewal. Traditionally, it is believed that the month of Adar, coming before Nisan—the month of Passover—serves as a preparatory time leading to redemption. This cyclical aspect of the months underscores a theological understanding that human experiences of suffering can precede deliverance and liberation, further reinforcing the themes of hope and faith. For example, the very name “Adar” is thought to be derived from the Hebrew root “adar,” meaning “to be mighty or glorious,” which highlights the potential for strength even in adversity.
Additionally, the transition to Adar is marked by a call for introspection. Communities may engage in prayers and rituals during this time, acknowledging the complex dynamics of life, from grief to joy. This contrasts nicely with the themes of joy and celebration, adding depth to the understanding of this month. Not only does it embrace the joyous aspects of deliverance and survival as seen during Purim, but it also honors the challenges and trials that precede these joyous moments. Thus, the multifaceted meanings of Adar can remind believers of the importance of maintaining faith during difficult times, as the transition to light often follows the shadow, leading to spiritual growth and communal solidarity in the face of adversity.
The Significance of Joy and Celebration
Adar, the twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar, is often associated with joy and celebration. This month is marked by the festival of Purim, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them. The themes of joy and festivity during Adar highlight the importance of community, resilience, and the triumph of good over evil. The joyous nature of this month serves as a reminder of the power of faith and the celebration of life, even in the face of adversity.
The Transition from Winter to Spring
Adar also symbolizes a transition from the coldness of winter to the warmth of spring. This change is not only physical but also metaphorical, representing renewal and hope. In the biblical context, this transition can be seen as a time for reflection and preparation for the upcoming months, particularly the month of Nisan, which heralds the arrival of Passover. The themes of rebirth and new beginnings during Adar encourage individuals to embrace change and look forward to brighter days ahead.
The Role of Divine Providence
The month of Adar serves as a reminder of divine providence and the hidden workings of God in the lives of individuals and nations. The events that led to the celebration of Purim illustrate how seemingly ordinary circumstances can lead to extraordinary outcomes. This theme encourages believers to trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances appear dire. The month of Adar thus becomes a time to reflect on the ways in which divine intervention can bring about salvation and deliverance.
How to Embrace Joy and Community in Faith
Embracing joy and community in your faith journey is truly transformative, and it begins with a heart open to connection and gratitude. Start by surrounding yourself with fellow believers who uplift and inspire you; this could be through a local church, a small group, or even online communities. Engage in shared activities, whether it’s volunteering, prayer meetings, or simply enjoying meals together, as these moments foster deeper bonds and create a sense of belonging. Remember, joy often flourishes in the act of giving—so look for opportunities to serve others, as this not only enriches their lives but also fills your own heart with purpose and happiness. Lastly, cultivate a daily practice of gratitude, reflecting on the blessings in your life and the love of God that surrounds you. By intentionally nurturing these relationships and attitudes, you’ll find that joy becomes a natural outpouring of your faith, enriching both your life and the lives of those around you.
Bible References to the Meaning of Adar:
Esther 8:9-17: 9 The king’s scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language.
10 And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s signet ring. Then he sent the letters by mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king’s service, bred from the royal stud.
11 By these letters the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods,
12 on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
13 A copy of what was written was to be issued as a decree in every province, being publicly displayed to all peoples, and the Jews were to be ready on that day to take vengeance on their enemies.
14 The couriers mounted on their swift horses that were used in the king’s service went out, hurried by the king’s command, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel.
15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
16 The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor.
17 In every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.
Esther 9:1-19: 1 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.
2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples.
3 All the officials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal agents also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them.
4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful.
5 So the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them.
6 In Susa the citadel itself the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men,
7 And Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,
8 But the land lay quiet before Mordecai.
9 The king’s scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language.
10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they laid no hand on the plunder.
11 On that day the number of those who were killed in Susa the citadel was reported to the king.
12 And the king said to Queen Esther, “In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and also the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your further request? It shall be fulfilled.”
13 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this day’s edict. And let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.”
14 So the king commanded this to be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged.
15 The Jews who were in Susa gathered also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and they killed 300 men in Susa, but they laid no hands on the plunder.
16 Now the rest of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also gathered to defend their lives, and got relief from their enemies and killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them, but they laid no hands on the plunder.
17 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
18 But the Jews who were in Susa gathered on the thirteenth day and on the fourteenth, and rested on the fifteenth day, making that a day of feasting and gladness.
19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the rural towns, hold the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day for gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and as a day on which they send gifts of food to one another.
Ezra 6:13-15: 13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered.
14 And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.