Esther 9:19 - Exposition

The Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns . Rather, "the Jews of the country, who dwelt in the country towns." There are places where the word translated " unwalled " connotes that idea—e.g. Ezekiel 38:11 ; Zechariah 2:8 ; but the main notion which it expresses is always that of a "country region." Here walls are not at all in the thought of the writer, who intends a contrast between the Jews of the metropolis and those of the provinces. Ecbatana and Babylon are " country towns" to a Jew of Susa, such as the writer. A good day . Compare Esther 8:17 , with the comment. Sending portions one to another . Compare Nehemiah 8:10 ; and for the precept on which the practice was founded see Deuteronomy 16:14 . In modern times the Jews keep up the practice, and on the 15th of Adar both interchange gifts, chiefly sweetmeats, and make liberal offerings for the poor (comp. Deuteronomy 16:22 , ad fin .).