384. Sending Portions

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This has generally been interpreted to mean that the wants of the poor were to be supplied; but Harmer (Observations, vol. 2, p. 107) prefers to refer it to the custom of sending a portion of a feast to those who can not well come to it, especially to the relatives of those who give the feast, and to those in a state of mourning, who in their grief would make no preparation. In Esther 9:1919Therefore 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. (Esther 9:19) it is said that among the ceremonies of the feast of Purim there was to be “sending portions one to another.” In the twenty-second verse of the same chapter the order of Mordecai is given for keeping the feast, and it is directed “that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” From this verse it is evident that sending “gifts to the poor ‘ is not the same thing as” sending portions one to another.” This latter custom, however, may, in turn, be different from the one referred to in Nehemiah, and may mean that these pious Jews expressed their joy by a mutual exchange of the good things provided for the feast. This custom is alluded to in Revelation 11:1010And 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. (Revelation 11:10), where the enemies of the “two witnesses” are represented as rejoicing over their death: “And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.”