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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'tis true, Lord, said she: yet even puppies eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.
'tis true, Lord, said she: yet even puppies eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.
they affect the uppermost place at feasts, the principal chair in the synagogues,
they affect the uppermost place at feasts, the principal chair in the synagogues,
but he answered them, saying, it is one of the twelve, he that eats of the same mess with me.
but he answered them, saying, it is one of the twelve, he that eats of the same mess with me.
accordingly they came to Jesus and earnestly pressed him, saying, he very well deserves you should do him this favour; for he loves our nation,
accordingly they came to Jesus and earnestly pressed him, saying, he very well deserves you should do him this favour; for he loves our nation, and hath built us a synagogue at his own charge.
and hath built us a synagogue at his own charge.
when a woman of that city, one that had led a loose life, knowing that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, came in with a vial of odoriferous liquor,
when a woman of that city, one that had led a loose life, knowing that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, came in with a vial of odoriferous liquor, and stood behind at his feet weeping, bath'd them with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet, and poured the perfume upon them.
and stood behind at his feet weeping, bath'd them with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet, and poured the perfume upon them.
Afterwards observing how eager the guests were for the first places, he gave them this instruction:
Afterwards observing how eager the guests were for the first places, he gave them this instruction: when any one invites you to a wedding, don't put yourself in the highest seat: for fear some person of greater distinction should be a guest,
when any one invites you to a wedding, don't put yourself in the highest seat: for fear some person of greater distinction should be a guest, and he that invited you both, should come and bid you give place to him; and you should have the disgrace of taking the lowest seat.
and he that invited you both, should come and bid you give place to him; and you should have the disgrace of taking the lowest seat. but when you are invited, go place your self last; that he, who invited you, when he comes, may say to you, friend, go up higher: and that will do you honour before all the company at table.
but when you are invited, go place your self last; that he, who invited you, when he comes, may say to you, friend, go up higher: and that will do you honour before all the company at table.
but when you make a feast call the poor, and maimed, the lame and blind:
but when you make a feast call the poor, and maimed, the lame and blind:
One of the company hearing that, said to him, happy is he that shall be entertain'd in the kingdom of God.
One of the company hearing that, said to him, happy is he that shall be entertain'd in the kingdom of God.
at supper-time he sent his servant to tell the guests to come, because every thing was ready.
at supper-time he sent his servant to tell the guests to come, because every thing was ready.
In the mean time his elder son was in the country. at his return, when he came near home, he heard the musick and dancing:
In the mean time his elder son was in the country. at his return, when he came near home, he heard the musick and dancing:
Three days after, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee; where the mother of Jesus was present.
Three days after, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee; where the mother of Jesus was present.
now fill out, said he, and carry it to the steward of the feast, which accordingly they did.
now fill out, said he, and carry it to the steward of the feast, which accordingly they did. as soon as the steward had tasted the water that was made wine, (for he did not know whence it came, but the servants who drew the water knew it,) he called the bridegroom,
as soon as the steward had tasted the water that was made wine, (for he did not know whence it came, but the servants who drew the water knew it,) he called the bridegroom,
there a supper was provided for him; Martha was in waiting: but Lazarus was one of the guests that sat at table with him.
there a supper was provided for him; Martha was in waiting: but Lazarus was one of the guests that sat at table with him. but Mary taking a pound of the oil of spikenard which was very costly, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair: so that the house was filled with the odour of the perfume.
but Mary taking a pound of the oil of spikenard which was very costly, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair: so that the house was filled with the odour of the perfume.
now the favourite disciple of Jesus sat next to him at table.
now the favourite disciple of Jesus sat next to him at table.
then accordingly bending his head to Jesus's ear, he whisper'd, Lord, who is it?
then accordingly bending his head to Jesus's ear, he whisper'd, Lord, who is it?
on the first day of the week we assembled to break bread, when Paul, who was to depart on the morrow, gave them a sermon, which lasted till midnight.
on the first day of the week we assembled to break bread, when Paul, who was to depart on the morrow, gave them a sermon, which lasted till midnight.
and he said unto me, "write, happy are they who are invited to the marriage-supper of the lamb." and he said to me, "thus I have delivered the real oracles of God."
and he said unto me, "write, happy are they who are invited to the marriage-supper of the lamb." and he said to me, "thus I have delivered the real oracles 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 publick, and made such an impression upon Herod,
but upon the king's coming in to see the guests, he observ'd one there without a wedding garment: and he said to him,
In the mean time his elder son was in the country. at his return, when he came near home, he heard the musick and dancing: