[380] Moses Ægyptius in Halacha Schemit. Veiobel, c. 10.
CHAP. XI.
The Feast of Purim, and the Feast of Consecration or Dedication.
Pur is a Persian word, and signifieth a Lot, whence this Feast of Lots is called Purim, i.e. κληρωτήρια, A Lottery: It began on the fourteenth of Adar, and continued till the end of the fifteenth, Esth. 9. 21. It was instituted by Mordecai, in remembrance of the Jews delivery from Haman, before whom lots were cast day by day, and month by month, for the destruction of them. In these two daies they read the History of Hester in their Synagogues; and as often as they hear mention of Haman, they do with their fists and hammers beat upon the benches and boards, as if they did knock upon Hamans head.[381]
[381] Hospin. de fest. fol. 33. ex Antonio Margarita in. l. de ceremoniis Judæorum.
The Feast of Dedication, termed in the New Testament, Ἐγκαίνια[382] a Feast wherein something is renewed; because those things only are reputed consecrated, which are separated from their common use, and dedicated to some new and holy use. We shall read of many things consecrated in the Old Testament; the Tabernacles, the Temple, Priests, Altars, Vessels and Garments: but there was no anniversary or yearly solemnity appointed to be observed in remembrance of their Consecration. The Consecration therefore which we now speak of, being a yearly Festival, was the Consecration of the altar appointed by Judas Maccabæus to be observed from year to year, for the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth of the month Cisleu, which answereth in part to our December, 1 Macchab. 4. 59. Of this Saint John speaketh; and as he mentioneth our Saviours presence there, so he intimateth the time to be about December. It was at Jerusalem the feast of the Dedication, and it was winter, John 10. 22. &c.
[382] Ἐγκαίνια ἑορτὴ καθ’ ἣν ἐκαινουργήθη τὶ, Suidas.
The reason of this Feast was in remembrance of that great mercy which God shewed unto his people, in delivering them from the tyranny of Antiochus, and the Idolatry which he had forced upon them, setting up the Idol of Jupiter in the Temple of God, and abolishing the true worship of God.
These two Feasts are of humane institution, and others might be added unto them; but little is to be added, or nothing at all, to that which is delivered concerning them, in the places of Scripture where they are mentioned.