To cast lots.—A common practice among the Hebrews: they called it Goral. Nay, we find the Lord himself appointing the casting lots for the scape goat, Leviticus 16:8. What was called the feast of Put, or Purim, was founded upon the same custom. The word Pur, or Phur, is not Hebrew, but Persian, taken from the Persians, among whom at that time the children of Israel were, and under their government. The feast of Pur, in honour of the destruction of Haman the Aggagite, was so great a festival among the Jews, that even to this day it hath been handed down, and is kept. And the reason assigned wherefore they called this festival Pur, or Purlin, casting lots, was, because when Haman planned the destruction of the Jews, he had lots cast before him from day to day. (See Esther 3:7-15) The Jews, therefore, when through God's mercy they had caused the ruin of Haman, appointed this feast on the same month in every year, and called it Pur. (See Esther 9:18-32.)