Adar
“Glorious, large (of Babylonian origin)”
Summary
The twelfth month of the Jewish religious calendar, corresponding to February-March, during which the feast of Purim is celebrated.
☩Calendar Position
Adar was the sixth month of the civil year and the twelfth of the ecclesiastical year. It corresponds roughly to the period from the new moon of February to that of March. The name was introduced after the Babylonian captivity, derived from the Babylonian calendar.
☩The Feast of Purim
The 13th of Adar was observed as the Fast of Esther, commemorating her three-day fast before approaching the king. The 14th and 15th were devoted to the feast of Purim, celebrating the deliverance of the Jews from Haman's plot.
☩Temple Completion
The second temple was completed on the third day of Adar in the sixth year of King Darius, marking a significant moment in Israel's post-exilic history.
☩Intercalary Month
In intercalary years, a second Adar (Ve-Adar) was added to maintain the calendar's alignment with the seasons. When this occurred, Purim was celebrated in the second Adar.
Related Verses11 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Adar," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Adar (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).