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, True, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.
And she said, True, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.
And love the uppermost places at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
And love the uppermost places at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
And another, Is it I? And he answering said to them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
And another, Is it I? And he answering said to them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
And coming to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy for whom thou shouldest do this.
And coming to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy for whom thou shouldest do this. 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 woman in the city, who had been a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at table in the Pharisee's house,
And behold a woman in the city, who had been a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And standing at his feet behind him weeping, watered his feet with a shower of tears, and wiped them, with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
brought an alabaster box of ointment, And standing at his feet behind him weeping, watered his feet with a shower of tears, and wiped them, with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
And he spake a parable to them that were invited, when he marked how they chose the chief seats,
And he spake a parable to them that were invited, when he marked how they chose the chief seats, saying to them, When thou art invited by any man to a marriage-feast, sit not down in the highest place, lest a more honourable man than thou be invited by him,
saying to them, When thou art invited by any man to a marriage-feast, sit not down in the highest place, lest a more honourable man than thou be invited by him, And he that invited thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place. And then thou shalt begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art invited,
And he that invited thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place. And then thou shalt begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, that when he who invited thee cometh, he may say, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have honour in the presence of them that sit at table with thee. For every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that
go and sit down in the lowest place, that when he who invited thee cometh, he may say, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have honour in the presence of them that sit at table with thee. For every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that
But when thou makest an entertainment, invite the poor,
But when thou makest an entertainment, invite the poor,
And one of them that sat at table with him, hearing these things, said to him, Happy is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
And one of them that sat at table with him, hearing these things, said to him, Happy is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
And he sent his servants at supper time to say to them that were invited, Come, for all things are now ready.
And he sent his servants at supper time to say to them that were invited, Come, for all things are now ready.
And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field. And as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field. And as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
And he saith to them, Draw out now, and carry to the governor of the feast.
And he saith to them, Draw out now, and carry to the governor of the feast. And they carried it. When the governor of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine (he knew not whence it was, but the servants, who had drawn the water knew) the governor of the feast calleth the bridegroom,
And they carried it. When the governor of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine (he knew not whence it was, but the servants, who had drawn the water knew) the governor of the feast calleth the bridegroom,
There they made him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them who sat at table with him.
There they made him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them who sat at table with him. Then Mary, taking a pound of ointment, of very costly spikenard, 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 ointment, of very costly spikenard, 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 lying in the bosom of Jesus, one of the disciples whom Jesus loved.
Now there was lying in the bosom of Jesus, one of the disciples whom Jesus loved.
He then, leaning on the breast of Jesus, saith to him, Lord, who is it?
He then, leaning on the breast of Jesus, saith to him, Lord, who is it?
And on the first day of the week, when we were met together to break bread, Paul being to depart on the morrow, preached to them, and continued his discourse till midnight.
And on the first day of the week, when we were met together to break bread, Paul being to depart on the morrow, preached to them, and continued his discourse till midnight.
And he saith to me, Write: Happy are they who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith to me, These are the true sayings of God.
And he saith to me, Write: Happy are they who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith 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 before them and pleased Herod.
But the king coming in to see the guests, saw there a man who had not on a wedding-garment,
And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field. And as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.