The Feast of Purim or of Lots originated in the gratitude of the Jews in escaping the plot of Haman, designed for their destruction. It took its name from the lots which were cast be fore Haman by the astrologers, who knew his hatred against Mordecai and his wish to destroy his family and nation (E,sther :7 ; ix :2, 5). The feast was suggested by Esther and Mordecai, and was celebrated on the 13th, 14th and isth days of the twelfth month (Adar). The t3th was a fast, being the day on which the Jews were to have been destroyed ; and on the t4th and t5th were a feast held in commemoration of their de liverance. The fast is called the Fast of Esther, and the feast still holds the name of Purim. Prideaux (Connex.) styles it the Bacchanalia of the Jews. (Brown, Antiq. i:575.) (2) Death of Holofernes. The killing of Holofernes by the hand of Judith, the consequent defeat of the Assyrians, and the liberation of the Jews, were commemorated by the institution of a festival (Judith xiv: xv).
(3) Feast of Dedication. The Feast of Dedi cation was appointed by Judas Maccabxus, on occasion of the purification of the temple, and reconstruction of the .altar, after they had been polluted by Antiochus Epiphanes (i Macc. i ; 2 Macc. v ; Prideaux, sub A. C. 167-8, i7o).
The new dedication took place on the 25th day of the ninth month. called Chislev, in the year before Christ, 170. This would be in Decem ber. The day was chosen as being that on which Antiochus, three years before, had polluted the altar by heathen sacrifices.
In John X :22 this festival is alluded to when our Lord is said to have been present at the Feast of Dedication. The historian marks the time by stating 'it was winter.' (4) Festival of Fire. The festival 'of the Fire' was instituted by Nehemiah, to commemorate the miraculous rekindling of the altar-fire. The cir cumstances are narrated in 2 Macc. i :18.
(5) Defeat of Nicanor. The defeat by Judas Maccabmus of the Greeks when the Jews 'smote off Nicanor's head and his right hand which he stretched out so proudly,' caused the people to 'rejoice greatly, and they kept that day a day of great gladness ; moreover, they ordained to keep yearly this day, being the thirteenth day of Adar' —February or March (t Mace. vii :47)• Some other minor fasts and festivals may be found noticed in Brown's Antiquities, i :586; and in Simon's Dictionnaire de la Bible, art. Fetes; Bahr, Symbolik des Moscrischen Cultus, bk. iv; Raphall, Festivals of the Lord).