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
yet the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.
yet the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.
and love the uppermost places at feasts,
and love the uppermost places at feasts,
Is it I? And He said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that is now dipping with me in the dish.
Is it I? And He said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that is now dipping with me in the dish.
And when they came to Jesus, they intreated Him earnestly, saying, he is worthy of this favor:
And when they came to Jesus, they intreated Him earnestly, saying, he is worthy of this favor: for he loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue.
for he loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue.
And behold a woman in the city, that was a sinner, when she knew that He was at table in the pharisee's house,
And behold a woman in the city, that was a sinner, when she knew that He was at table in the pharisee's house, brought an alabaster-box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind Him, weeping, and washed his feet with 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 stood at his feet behind Him, weeping, and washed his feet with 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 those that were invited, observing how they chose the chief seats, saying unto them,
And He spake a parable to those that were invited, observing how they chose the chief seats, saying unto them, When thou art invited by any one to a wedding, do not sit down in the uppermost place, least one more honorable than thou be invited by him;
When thou art invited by any one to a wedding, do not sit down in the uppermost place, least one more honorable than thou be invited by him; and he who invited thee and him, should come and say to thee, Give place to this person, and then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place.
and he who invited thee and him, should come and say to thee, Give place to this person, and then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, that, when he who invited thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher: then wilt thou have honor before them that sit at table with thee:
But when thou art invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, that, when he who invited thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher: then wilt thou have honor before them that sit at table with thee:
But when thou makest a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be happy;
But when thou makest a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be happy;
And one of those; who sat at table with Him, hearing these things, said unto Him, Happy is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
And one of those; who sat at table with Him, hearing these things, said unto Him, Happy is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
and sent his servant at supper-time to say to them that were invited, Come, for all things are now ready.
and sent his servant at supper-time to say to them that were invited, Come, for all things are now ready.
But his elder son was out in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing:
But his elder son was out in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing:
And on the third day after, there was a marriage at Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there.
And on the third day after, there was a marriage at Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there.
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and carry it to the master of the feast. And they carried it to him.
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and carry it to the master of the feast. And they carried it to him. And when the manager of the feast had tasted the water which was made wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the servants, that drew the water, knew,) he called the bride-groom,
And when the manager of the feast had tasted the water which was made wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the servants, that drew the water, knew,) he called the bride-groom,
Therefore they made Him a supper there, and Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of them that sat down with Him.
Therefore they made Him a supper there, and Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of them that sat down with Him. And Mary taking a pound of ointment of spikenard of great value, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
And Mary taking a pound of ointment of spikenard of great value, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Now there was one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, sitting next Him.
Now there was one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, sitting next Him.
And he, reclining on the breast of Jesus, saith unto Him, Lord, who is it?
And he, reclining on the breast of Jesus, saith unto Him, Lord, who is it?
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples were assembled together to break bread, Paul being about to depart on the morrow, preached unto them, and continued his discourse till midnight.
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples were assembled together to break bread, Paul being about to depart on the morrow, preached unto them, and continued his discourse till midnight.
And he said unto me, Write, Happy they who are invited to the marriage-supper of the Lamb. And he said unto me, These are the true words of God.
And he said unto me, Write, Happy they who are invited to the marriage-supper of the Lamb. And he said unto 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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod, so
But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man that had not put on a wedding-garment, and saith to him,
But his elder son was out in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing: