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
"Yes, Master," she said, "for even dogs do feed on the scraps that fall from their owners' table."
"Yes, Master," she said, "for even dogs do feed on the scraps that fall from their owners' table."
and like to have the place of honor at dinner, and the best seats in the Synagogues,
and like to have the place of honor at dinner, and the best seats in the Synagogues,
"It is one of you Twelve," said Jesus, "the one who is dipping his bread beside me into the dish.
"It is one of you Twelve," said Jesus, "the one who is dipping his bread beside me into the dish.
When they found Jesus, they earnestly implored him to do so. "He is a man who deserves that you should show him this favor," they said,
When they found Jesus, they earnestly implored him to do so. "He is a man who deserves that you should show him this favor," they said, "For he is devoted to our nation, and himself built our Synagogue for us."
"For he is devoted to our nation, and himself built our Synagogue for us."
Just then a woman, who was an outcast in the town, having ascertained that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of perfume,
Just then a woman, who was an outcast in the town, having ascertained that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of perfume, And placed herself behind Jesus, near his feet, weeping. Then she began to make his feet wet with her tears, and she dried them with the hair of her head, repeatedly kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfume.
And placed herself behind Jesus, near his feet, weeping. Then she began to make his feet wet with her tears, and she dried them with the hair of her head, repeatedly kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfume.
Observing that the guests were choosing the best places for themselves, Jesus told them this parable--
Observing that the guests were choosing the best places for themselves, Jesus told them this parable-- "When you are invited by any one to a wedding banquet, do not seat yourself in the best place, for fear that some one of higher rank should have been invited by your host;
"When you are invited by any one to a wedding banquet, do not seat yourself in the best place, for fear that some one of higher rank should have been invited by your host; And he who invited you both will come and say to you 'Make room for this man,' and then you will begin in confusion to take the lowest place.
And he who invited you both will come and say to you 'Make room for this man,' and then you will begin in confusion to take the lowest place. No, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place, so that, when he who has invited you comes, he may say to you 'Friend, come higher up'; and then you will be honored in the eyes of all your fellow-guests.
No, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place, so that, when he who has invited you comes, he may say to you 'Friend, come higher up'; and then you will be honored in the eyes of all your fellow-guests.
No, when you entertain, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
No, when you entertain, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
One of the guests heard what he said and exclaimed: "Happy will he be who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God!"
One of the guests heard what he said and exclaimed: "Happy will he be who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God!"
And sent his servant, when it was time for the dinner, to say to those who had been invited 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
And sent his servant, when it was time for the dinner, to say to those who had been invited 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
Meanwhile the elder son was out in the fields; but, on coming home, when he got near the house, he heard music and dancing,
Meanwhile the elder son was out in the fields; but, on coming home, when he got near the house, he heard music and dancing,
Two days after this there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and Jesus' mother was there.
Two days after this there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and Jesus' mother was there.
And, when they had filled them to the brim, he added: "Now take some out, and carry it to the Master of the Feast." The servants did so.
And, when they had filled them to the brim, he added: "Now take some out, and carry it to the Master of the Feast." The servants did so. And, when the Master of the Feast had tasted the water which had now become wine, not knowing where it had come from--although the servants who had taken out the water knew--
And, when the Master of the Feast had tasted the water which had now become wine, not knowing where it had come from--although the servants who had taken out the water knew--
There a supper was given in honor at which Martha waited, while Lazarus was one of those present at the table.
There a supper was given in honor at which Martha waited, while Lazarus was one of those present at the table. So Mary took a pound of choice spikenard perfume of great value, and anointed the feet of Jesus with it, and then wiped them with her hair. The whole house was filled with the scent of the perfume.
So Mary took a pound of choice spikenard perfume of great value, and anointed the feet of Jesus with it, and then wiped them with her hair. The whole house was filled with the scent of the perfume.
Next to Jesus, in the place on his right hand, was one of his disciples, whom he loved.
Next to Jesus, in the place on his right hand, was one of his disciples, whom he loved.
Being in this position, that disciple leant back on Jesus' shoulder, and asked him: "Who is it, Master?"
Being in this position, that disciple leant back on Jesus' shoulder, and asked him: "Who is it, Master?"
On the first day of the week, when we had met for the Breaking of Bread, Paul, who was intending to leave the next day, began to address those who were present, and prolonged his address till midnight.
On the first day of the week, when we had met for the Breaking of Bread, Paul, who was intending to leave the next day, began to address those who were present, and prolonged his address till midnight.
Then a voice said to me 'Write-- "Blessed are those who have been summoned to the marriage feast of the Lamb."' And the voice said-- 'These words of God are true.'
Then a voice said to me 'Write-- "Blessed are those who have been summoned to the marriage feast of the Lamb."' And the voice said-- 'These words of God are true.'
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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But, when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before his guests, and so pleased Herod,
But, when the king went in to see his guests, he noticed there a man who had not put on a wedding-robe.
Meanwhile the elder son was out in the fields; but, on coming home, when he got near the house, he heard music and dancing,