Who or what is Adar (1) in the Bible?

Ancient Context: Adar (1)

⚡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

Adar is the Babylonian name for the twelfth month of the year, appearing in Ezra 6:15 and eight times in the book of Esther. While the author of Esther initially identifies Adar as the twelfth month, subsequent references omit the numeral.

What is the meaning of Adar (1) in the Bible?

Adar is the Babylonian name for the twelfth month of the year, appearing in Ezra 6:15 and eight times in the book of Esther. While the author of Esther initially identifies Adar as the twelfth month, subsequent references omit the numeral.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Adar clarifies the chronological structure of the biblical narrative, particularly regarding the timing of the festival of Purim and the administrative dating of events in the Persian Empire.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Adar (1). Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.

Bible Study Reflection Prompts:

Why did the biblical author mention Adar (1) in this passage?
What cultural or historical assumption does Adar (1) clarify?

Scripture Passages Mentioned: Ezra 6:15

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

          "Adar (1)." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/adar-1/
        

Adar (1)