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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But she said, Yes, Lord; for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters.
But she said, Yes, Lord; for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters.
and love the first tables at feasts, and the first seats in the synagogues,
and love the first tables at feasts, and the first seats in the synagogues,
And he said to them, It is one of the twelve who dips with me in the dish.
And he said to them, It is one of the twelve who dips with me in the dish.
And having come to Jesus they besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy for whom you should do this;
And having come to Jesus they besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy for whom you should do this; for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.
for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.
And behold, a certain woman in the city, a sinner, knowing that he was reclining in the house of the Pharisee, brought a vase of ointment,
And behold, a certain woman in the city, a sinner, knowing that he was reclining in the house of the Pharisee, brought a vase of ointment, and standing behind, by his feet, weeping, washed his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head; and she kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
and standing behind, by his feet, weeping, washed his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head; and she kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
And he spoke a parable to the invited, when he observed how they selected the first places at the table; saying to them,
And he spoke a parable to the invited, when he observed how they selected the first places at the table; saying to them, When you are invited by any one to a wedding, do not sit down in the first place, lest at some time a more honorable man than you should have been invited by him,
When you are invited by any one to a wedding, do not sit down in the first place, lest at some time a more honorable man than you should have been invited by him, and he that invited you and him come and say to you, Give this man a place; and then with shame you take the last place.
and he that invited you and him come and say to you, Give this man a place; and then with shame you take the last place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the last place, that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you, Friend, go up higher; then you shall have honor in the presence of those that recline with you;
But when you are invited, go and sit down in the last place, that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you, Friend, go up higher; then you shall have honor in the presence of those that recline with you;
But when you make a feast, invite the poor, crippled, lame, blind,
But when you make a feast, invite the poor, crippled, lame, blind,
And one of those reclining with him, hearing these things, said to him, Blessed is he that eats bread in the kingdom of God.
And one of those reclining with him, hearing these things, said to him, Blessed is he that eats bread in the kingdom of God.
And he sent his servant at the time of the supper to say to the invited, Come, for all things are now ready.
And he sent his servant at the time of the supper to say to the invited, Come, for all things are now ready.
But his older son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house he heard music and the dancers.
But his older son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house he heard music and the dancers.
AND on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
AND on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
And he said to them, Now draw out and bear to the master of the feast; and they bore it.
And he said to them, Now draw out and bear to the master of the feast; and they bore it. And when the master of the feast tasted of the water made wine, and knew not whence it was,??ut the servants knew who had drawn the water,??he master of the feast called the bridegroom
And when the master of the feast tasted of the water made wine, and knew not whence it was,??ut the servants knew who had drawn the water,??he master of the feast called the bridegroom
Then they made him a supper there, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those that reclined with him.
Then they made him a supper there, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those that reclined with him. Then Mary taking a pound of genuine nard, very costly, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hairs. And the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
Then Mary taking a pound of genuine nard, very costly, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hairs. And the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining on the bosom of Jesus.
One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining on the bosom of Jesus.
He, falling down on the breast of Jesus, said to him, Lord, who is it?
He, falling down on the breast of Jesus, said to him, Lord, who is it?
And on the first day of the week, we being assembled to break bread, Paul preached to them, being about to depart on the next day, and continued his discourse till midnight;
And on the first day of the week, we being assembled to break bread, Paul preached to them, being about to depart on the next day, and continued his discourse till midnight;
And he said to me, Write, Blessed are those who are called to the wedding supper of the Lamb. And he told me, These are the true words of God.
And he said to me, Write, Blessed are those who are called to the wedding supper of the Lamb. And he told 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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And Herod's birthday being kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,
And the king coming in to see the guests observed there a man who had not on a wedding garment,
But his older son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house he heard music and the dancers.