Esther 9:19
What does Esther 9:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Esther 9:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Esther 9:19 means
Jews living in villages and unwalled towns particularly adopt the fourteenth of Adar as their day of gladness, feasting, and “sending portions one to another.” Sharing food turns private relief into communal joy. The practice builds solidarity across households and reminds them that their survival is a shared mercy. This custom also democratizes the celebration: even those far from the palace and great cities mark the day with tangible generosity. The focus on “unwalled towns” anticipates how later tradition distinguished observance by location while keeping the same core meaning—gratitude expressed in hospitality and mutual care.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Therefore do the Jews of the villages, that dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Therefore do the Jews of the villages, that dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the Jews of the country places living in unwalled towns make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of feasting and joy and a good day, a day for sending offerings one to another.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Therefore the Jews of the villages, who are dwelling in cities of the villages, are making the fourteenth day of the month of Adar--joy and banquet, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But those Jews that dwelt in towns not walled and in villages, appointed the fourteenth day of the month Adar for banquets and gladness, so as to rejoice on that day, and send one another portions of their banquets and meats.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore the Jews of the villages that dwell in the country towns make the fourteenth of the month Adar a day of joy and feasting, and a good day, and on which they send portions one to another.
Context
Having clarified the two timelines (vv. 17–18), verse 19 describes the grassroots practice that develops around the fourteenth, especially among villagers. This sets a precedent for the customs Mordecai will soon command in writing (vv. 20–22): feasting, gladness, sending portions, and giving to the poor. The movement is from spontaneous celebration to prescribed remembrance. With the pattern in place, the narrative turns to Mordecai’s administrative action, issuing letters to standardize and perpetuate what the people are already doing in response to their deliverance.
v.18But the Jews that were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
v.19This passage
v.20And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 16:14
and thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
- Revelation 11:10
And they that dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and make merry; and they shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth.
- Deuteronomy 3:5
All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars; besides the unwalled towns a great many.
- Esther 9:22
as the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
- Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.
- Psalms 118:11
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.