Reference: Banquets
Fausets
Both social and religious. At the three great religious feasts, when all the males appeared before Jehovah, the family had its feast, of which the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow had their share (De 16:11). Sacrifices were accompanied by a feast (Ex 34:15; Jg 16:23-25). The "lovefeasts" of the early Christians sprung from these sacrificial feasts; as the Lord's supper came from the Passover. The tithes and firstlings were to be eaten at the sanctuary, if not too far off (De 12:17-18; 14:22-23). Males and females met together at feasts of old (Joh 2:1). Vashti's separate Women's banquet was a Persian, not Jewish, custom (Es 1:9). In magnificent feasts, as at royal weddings, a general invitation was given; the accepters were summoned by a second message at the time of the feast (Pr 9:1-3; Lu 14:17; Matthew 22).
The entertainer provided robes for the guests, to be worn in his honor and as a token of his regard, in Old Testament times the Israelites sat at table (1Sa 16:11); and in the order of their dignity or seniority (Ge 43:33); which explains the point of Jesus' exhortation to take the lowest place (Lu 14:7-10; Mt 23:6). The Persians reclined on couches (Es 7:8). So the Romans. From these the Jews adopted reclining. Thus, the sinful woman could come behind the conch where Jesus lay, and anoint His feet (Lu 7:37-38); and Mary, sister of Lazarus (Joh 12:2-3); and "John leaned on the Lord's bosom" at the last supper (Joh 13:23,25). Amos reprobates the luxury (Am 6:4-6). Perfumes were freely used at rich feasts (Ps 23:5; Ec 9:7-8). A "governor of the feast" was appointed (Joh 2:8-9).
The usual time was evening, to begin earlier was a mark of excess (Isa 5:11; Ec 10:16). "Spiced wine" was often used (Song 8:2). Garlands or crowns of flowers on the head (Isa 28:1). Music, vocal and instrumental (Isa 5:12), and dancing (Lu 15:25). Wedding feasts often lasted seven days (Jg 14:12). Portions were sent from the entertainer to each guest, and a double or fivefold portion, or special part, to a distinguished guest (1Sa 1:5; 9:23-24; compare 2Sa 11:8; Ge 43:34). Portions direct from table were sent to poorer friends (Ne 8:10; compare Lu 14:13; Es 9:19,22). A kiss was the proper courtesy wherewith the heat received each guest; to omit it was to be wanting in kindliness (Lu 7:4-5).
In the absence of modern knives, forks and spoons, they dipped their hands together in the same dish (Mr 14:20; Pr 19:24; 26:15, for "bosom" translate dish). After dinner the hands were wiped in a cloth, after a servant had poured water on them (compare Elisha's office for Elijah, 2Ki 3:11), or were wiped on pieces of bread, which were then thrown to the household dogs (which illustrates Mt 15:27). A banquet is a frequent emblem of heavenly happiness (Isa 25:6; Lu 14:15; Re 19:9).
To eat bread includes drinking. So in the case of the Lord's supper (Ac 20:7). So the cup is not expressly mentioned in the Passover supper in the Old Testament but De 14:26; Isa 25:6 imply the use of wine at it. In Eli's days drinking to excess even at the Lord's feasts was not uncommon (1Sa 1:14-15). Four cups of wine were mixed with water, blessed and passed round by the master of the feast at the Passover. In Song 2:4 the heavenly Bridegroom's "banqueting house" (house of wine) is the church in its public ordinances for refreshing the soul, the ministry of the word, joint prayer, and the Lord's supper (compare Ps 36:8).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And she said, Yea, Lord: for the little dogs eat of the crumbs falling from their master's table.
And she said, Yea, Lord: for the little dogs eat of the crumbs falling from their master's table.
and they love the first couch at the suppers, and the first seats in the synagogues,
and they love the first couch at the suppers, and the first seats in the synagogues,
And He said to them, One of the twelve who is dipping with me in the dish.
And He said to them, One of the twelve who is dipping with me in the dish.
And they, having come to Jesus, continued to entreat Him earnestly, saying, That he to whom He will do this is worthy:
And they, having come to Jesus, continued to entreat Him earnestly, saying, That he to whom He will do this is worthy: for he loves our race, and himself built for us a synagogue.
for he loves our race, and himself built for us a synagogue.
Behold, a woman who was a sinner, in the city, also having learned that He is dining in the house of the Pharisee, breaking an alabaster box of myrrh,
Behold, a woman who was a sinner, in the city, also having learned that He is dining in the house of the Pharisee, breaking an alabaster box of myrrh, and standing behind by His feet, weeping, began to moisten His feel with tears, and she wiped them with the hairs of her head, and she continued to copiously kiss His feet, and to anoint them with the myrrh.
and standing behind by His feet, weeping, began to moisten His feel with tears, and she wiped them with the hairs of her head, and she continued to copiously kiss His feet, and to anoint them with the myrrh.
And He spoke a parable to those whom He had called, warning them that they should not choose the first couches; saying to them,
And He spoke a parable to those whom He had called, warning them that they should not choose the first couches; saying to them, When you may be called by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down upon the first couch; lest one more worthy than thee may have been called by him,
When you may be called by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down upon the first couch; lest one more worthy than thee may have been called by him, and the one having called thee and him, having come in shall say to thee, Give place to him; and then thou shalt with shame begin to take the last place.
and the one having called thee and him, having come in shall say to thee, Give place to him; and then thou shalt with shame begin to take the last place. But when you may be invited, coming in sit down in the last place; in order that when the one having invited thee may come, he will say to thee, Friend, come up higher: then there will be glory to thee in the presence of all those sitting along with thee.
But when you may be invited, coming in sit down in the last place; in order that when the one having invited thee may come, he will say to thee, Friend, come up higher: then there will be glory to thee in the presence of all those sitting along with thee.
But when you may make a feast, invite the poor, maimed, lame, blind:
But when you may make a feast, invite the poor, maimed, lame, blind:
And a certain one of those sitting together, hearing these things, said to Him, Happy is he whosoever eateth bread in the kingdom of God.
And a certain one of those sitting together, hearing these things, said to Him, Happy is he whosoever eateth bread in the kingdom of God.
and at the hour, of the supper he sent his servants to say to those who were invited, Come; because they are now ready.
and at the hour, of the supper he sent his servants to say to those who were invited, Come; because they are now ready.
And his elder son was in the field: and while coming he drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
And his elder son was in the field: and while coming he drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
And He says to them, Now draw out and carry to the chief ruler of the feast,
And He says to them, Now draw out and carry to the chief ruler of the feast, and they brought it to him. And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water, having been made wine, and did not know whence it is (but the servants having drawn the water knew), the ruler calls the groom,
and they brought it to him. And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water, having been made wine, and did not know whence it is (but the servants having drawn the water knew), the ruler calls the groom,
Then they made a supper for Him there: and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with Him.
Then they made a supper for Him there: and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with Him. Then Mary taking a pound of myrrh of spikenard, estimated very valuable, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the myrrh.
Then Mary taking a pound of myrrh of spikenard, estimated very valuable, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the myrrh.
And one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved, was leaning on the bosom of Jesus.
And one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved, was leaning on the bosom of Jesus.
And that one, falling toward the bosom of Jesus says to Him, Lord, who is he?
And that one, falling toward the bosom of Jesus says to Him, Lord, who is he?
And on the first of the Sabbaths we being assembled to break bread, Paul spoke to them, being about to depart the following day, and continued his discourse till midnight:
And on the first of the Sabbaths we being assembled to break bread, Paul spoke to them, being about to depart the following day, and continued his discourse till midnight:
And he says to me, Write, Blessed are they who have been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And He says to me, These are the true words of God.
And he says to me, Write, Blessed are they who have been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And He says to me, These are the true words of God.
Smith
among the Hebrews, were not only a means of social enjoyment, but were a part of the observance of religious festivity. At the three solemn festivals the family also had its domestic feast.
De 16:11
Sacrifices, both ordinary and extraordinary,
includes a banquet. Birthday banquets are only mentioned
The usual time of the banquet was the evening, and to begin early was a mark of excess.
The most essential materials of the banqueting room, next to the viands and wine, which last was often drugged with spices,
were perfumed unguents, garlands or loose flowers, white or brilliant robes; after these, exhibitions of music singers and dancers, riddles, jesting and merriment.
Jg 14:12; 2Sa 19:35; Ne 8:10; Ec 10:19; Isa 5:12; 25:6; 28:1; Mt 22:11; Lu 15:25
The posture at table in early times was sitting,
and the guests were ranged in order of dignity. (Gene 43:33; 1Sam 9:22 Words which imply the recumbent posture belong to the New Testament.
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Herod's birthday being celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod;
And the king having come in to look upon the guests, saw there a man not having on a wedding-garment.
And his elder son was in the field: and while coming he drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.