Topical Bible: Entertainments: Portions of, often Sent to the Absent

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In biblical times, the act of sending portions of food and drink to those who were absent from a celebration or feast was a common practice, reflecting the values of community, generosity, and hospitality. This tradition is rooted in the cultural and religious life of the Israelites and is evident in several scriptural accounts.

One of the most notable instances of this practice is found in the Book of Esther. After the Jews were delivered from the threat of annihilation, the festival of Purim was established as a time of joy and celebration. Esther 9:22 describes the observance: "as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday. They were to make them days of feasting and joy, and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor." This passage highlights the importance of sharing and ensuring that even those who could not be present were included in the communal joy.

The practice of sending portions to the absent is also seen in the context of the sacrificial system and religious feasts. In Deuteronomy 12:12 , the Israelites are instructed to rejoice before the Lord with their families, including the Levites who had no inheritance of their own. The sharing of portions ensured that everyone, regardless of their social or economic status, could partake in the blessings of the feast.

In 1 Samuel 30:26 , David exemplifies this practice after a victorious battle: "When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, 'Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.'" David's actions demonstrate the principle of sharing the spoils of victory with those who were not physically present but were part of the broader community.

The New Testament also reflects the spirit of this tradition, though in a more spiritual sense. The early Christian community is described in Acts 2:44-45 as having "all things in common" and selling their possessions to distribute to anyone in need. While not a direct sending of portions, this communal lifestyle embodies the same values of generosity and inclusion.

The practice of sending portions to the absent underscores a biblical principle of extending fellowship and blessing beyond immediate circles. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the community of faith and the call to care for one another, ensuring that no one is left out of the shared joy and provision that God provides.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 11:8
And David said to Uriah, Go down to your house, and wash your feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy to our LORD: neither be you sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Esther 9:19
Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelled 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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Memoir of John Bunyan
... state, were fearful dreams, and visions of the night, which often made him ... He then
read portions of Scripture, with or without an exposition, as he judged it ...
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