Esther 9:19
Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֞ן
H3651
כֵּ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הַיְּהוּדִ֣ים
Therefore the Jews
H3064
הַיְּהוּדִ֣ים
Therefore the Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
3 of 22
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
הַיֹּֽשְׁבִים֮
that dwelt
H3427
הַיֹּֽשְׁבִים֮
that dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּעָרֵ֣י
towns
H5892
בְּעָרֵ֣י
towns
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 22
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
עֹשִׂ֗ים
made
H6213
עֹשִׂ֗ים
made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֵ֠ת
H853
אֵ֠ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְי֣וֹם
day
H3117
וְי֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
עָשָׂר֙
H6240
עָשָׂר֙
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
12 of 22
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
שִׂמְחָ֥ה
a day of gladness
H8057
שִׂמְחָ֥ה
a day of gladness
Strong's:
H8057
Word #:
15 of 22
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
וּמִשְׁתֶּ֖ה
and feasting
H4960
וּמִשְׁתֶּ֖ה
and feasting
Strong's:
H4960
Word #:
16 of 22
drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast
וְי֣וֹם
day
H3117
וְי֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
17 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
ט֑וֹב
and a good
H2896
ט֑וֹב
and a good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
18 of 22
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וּמִשְׁל֥וֹחַ
and of sending
H4916
וּמִשְׁל֥וֹחַ
and of sending
Strong's:
H4916
Word #:
19 of 22
a sending out, i.e., (abstractly) presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also (concretely) a place of dismissal, or a business to be disc
מָנ֖וֹת
portions
H4490
מָנ֖וֹת
portions
Strong's:
H4490
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, something weighed out, i.e., (generally) a division; specifically (of food) a ration; also a lot
Cross References
Esther 8:17And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.Revelation 11:10And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.Deuteronomy 16:14And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.Esther 9:22As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.Deuteronomy 16:11And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
Historical Context
The food-sharing practice ensured comprehensive celebration—wealthy shared with poor, creating community-wide festivity. Ancient sources describe similar practices in various cultures where celebrations included redistributing food to ensure universal participation. The walled/unwalled distinction referenced ancient city categorization, with "walled cities" meaning those fortified during Joshua's conquest (13th-11th century BCE). This connected Purim to Israel's deep history, incorporating the new deliverance into the pattern of God's ancient redemptive acts. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Jewish communities observed Purim with feasting, public gathering, Megillah (Esther scroll) reading, and gift-giving—practices continuing today.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the food-sharing practice demonstrate that true celebration includes ensuring all community members can participate regardless of resources?
- What does connecting Purim to ancient conquest cities teach about how new redemptive acts join the ongoing narrative of God's faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. This verse establishes Purim observance for provincial Jews: Adar 14 as a day of celebration including feasting and "sending portions one to another" (sharing food gifts). The practice of sending food portions (mishloach manot, מִשְׁלוֹחַ מָנוֹת) created community solidarity and ensured all could celebrate, including those who couldn't afford feasts. The "unwalled towns" distinction connects to ancient conquest cities (cities existing when Joshua entered Canaan were walled; later settlements weren't). This detail links Purim to Israel's historical geography and earlier redemptive history.