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).
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And she said, True, Lord: yet even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.
And she said, True, Lord: yet even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.
and love the principal couch at suppers, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
and love the principal couch at suppers, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
But he answering said to them, It is one of the twelve, who is dipping his hand with me into the dish.
But he answering said to them, It is one of the twelve, who is dipping his hand with me into the dish.
And when they came to Jesus, they entreated him importunately, saying, He is a worthy man on whom thou wilt confer this favour:
And when they came to Jesus, they entreated him importunately, saying, He is a worthy man on whom thou wilt confer this favour: for he loveth our nation, and hath himself built us a synagogue.
for he loveth our nation, and hath himself built us a synagogue.
And, behold, a certain woman in the city, who was a notorious offender, when she knew that Jesus was sitting at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster vessel of odoriferous balm,
And, behold, a certain woman in the city, who was a notorious offender, when she knew that Jesus was sitting at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster vessel of odoriferous balm, and standing at his feet behind him, began to water his feet with her tears, and to wipe them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the perfumed balm.
and standing at his feet behind him, began to water his feet with her tears, and to wipe them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the perfumed balm.
Then he spake to those who were invited, a parable, when he observed how they chose the principal seats; saying unto them,
Then he spake to those who were invited, a parable, when he observed how they chose the principal seats; saying unto them, When thou art invited of any person to a marriage entertainment, recline not on the principal couch; lest a more honourable personage than thyself be invited by him;
When thou art invited of any person to a marriage entertainment, recline not on the principal couch; lest a more honourable personage than thyself be invited by him; and he that invited thee and him, coming say to thee, Yield this person the place; and so thou shalt begin with shame to go down to the lowest place.
and he that invited thee and him, coming say to thee, Yield this person the place; and so thou shalt begin with shame to go down to the lowest place. But when thou art invited, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he who invited thee comes, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher; then shalt thou have respect in the presence of those who are seated with thee.
But when thou art invited, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he who invited thee comes, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher; then shalt thou have respect in the presence of those who are seated with thee.
But when thou makest an entertainment, invite the poor, the maimed, the halt, the blind:
But when thou makest an entertainment, invite the poor, the maimed, the halt, the blind:
Then one of those who sat at table hearing these things, said to him, Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Then one of those who sat at table hearing these things, said to him, Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
and sent his servants at supper-time to say to the invited, Come; for all things are now ready.
and sent his servants at supper-time to say to the invited, Come; for all things are now ready.
Now his elder brother had been in the field: and when coming home he drew near the house, he heard a concert of music, and the chorus.
Now his elder brother had been in the field: and when coming home he drew near the house, he heard a concert of music, and the chorus.
AND on the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
AND on the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
And he said unto them, Draw out now, and carry to the president of the table. So they carried it.
And he said unto them, Draw out now, and carry to the president of the table. So they carried it. And when the president of the table had tasted the water become wine, and knew not whence it came: (but the waiters knew, who drew the water;) the president of the table called the bridegroom,
And when the president of the table had tasted the water become wine, and knew not whence it came: (but the waiters knew, who drew the water;) the president of the table called the bridegroom,
Therefore they made him a supper there; and Martha waited: but Lazarus was one of those who sat at table with him.
Therefore they made him a supper there; and Martha waited: but Lazarus was one of those who sat at table with him. Then Mary taking a pound of unadulterated balm of nard, very valuable, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Then Mary taking a pound of unadulterated balm of nard, very valuable, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Now there was one of the disciples reclining on the bosom of Jesus, whom Jesus loved.
Now there was one of the disciples reclining on the bosom of Jesus, whom Jesus loved.
And he leaning on the breast of Jesus, said to him, Lord, which is it?
And he leaning on the breast of Jesus, said to him, Lord, which is it?
And on the first day of the week, when the disciples were assembled to break bread, Paul preached unto them (ready to depart on the morrow), and extended his discourse until midnight.
And on the first day of the week, when the disciples were assembled to break bread, Paul preached unto them (ready to depart on the morrow), and extended his discourse until midnight.
And he said to me, Write, Blessed are they that are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are the true sayings of God.
And he said to me, Write, Blessed are they that are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are the true sayings 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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But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in the circle, and pleased Herod:
Then the king coming in to look around on the guests, saw there a man who had not put on the wedding garment:
Now his elder brother had been in the field: and when coming home he drew near the house, he heard a concert of music, and the chorus.