Esther 9:19

the Jews of the villages, that dwell in the unwalled towns, make etc. not -dwelt" and -made" as in the A.V. The writer is describing the custom of his own day as arising out of the circumstances here recounted. He implies that in his time the Jews who did not come under the above description followed the date at which those in Shushan celebrated their deliverance. The LXX., however, inserts a clause to this effect, viz. -But those who dwell in the chief cities keep the fifteenth day of Adar as a day of glad feasting, and of sending portions likewise to their neighbours."

and of sending portions one to another i.e. that the poor might share in the happiness of the occasion. The same procedure was enjoined by Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:10; Nehemiah 8:12) at the proclamation of the Law in his time. It was in accordance with the ordinance (Deuteronomy 16:11; Deuteronomy 16:14) that the enjoyment of the Feast of Weeks should be extended to -the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow." The custom of sending gifts (usually sweetmeats) is still preserved at Purim.