Reference: Eating
American
The Jews would have considered themselves polluted by eating with people of another religion, or with any who were ceremonially unclean or disreputable-as with Samaritans, Joh 4:9, publicans, Mt 9:11, or Gentiles, Ac 10:28; Ga 2:12. Eating together was an established token of mutual confidence and friendship, a pledge of friendly relations between families, which their children were expected to perpetuate. The rites of hospitality were held sacred; and to this day, among the Arabs, a fugitive is safe for the time, if he gains the shelter of even an enemy's tent. The abuse of hospitality was a great crime, Ps 41:9.
To "eat" a book, is to make its precepts, promises, and spirit one's own, Jer 15:16; Eze 3:1; Joh 4:14; Re 10:9. So to eat Christ's flesh and drink his blood, is to receive him as a Savior, and by a living faith to be imbued with his truth, his Spirit, and his heavenly life, Joh 6:32-58.
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Yea, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
Thy words were found, and I ate them. And thy words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart. For I am called by thy name, O LORD, God of hosts.
And he said to me, Son of man, eat that which thou find. Eat this roll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?
The Samaritan woman therefore says to him, How do thou, being Jewish, ask to drink from me, being a Samaritan woman, for Jews do not associate with Samaritans?
but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will, no, not thirst into the age. But the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the TRUE bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world. read more. They said to him therefore, Lord, always give us this bread. Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will, no, not hunger, and he who believes in me will, no, not ever thirst. But also I said to you, that ye have seen me, and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and he who comes to me I will, no, not cast out. Because I have come down from heaven, not so that I might do my will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all that he has given me I would not lose from it, but I will raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of him who sent me, that every man who sees the Son, and believes in him, may have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews therefore murmured about him because he said, I am the bread that came down out of heaven. And they said, Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? Therefore how does this man say, I have come down out of heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Murmur not among each other. No man can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they will all be taught of God. Every man who hears from the Father, and having learned, comes to me. Not that any man has seen the Father, except he who is from God. This man has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down out of heaven, that a man may eat of it, and not die. I am the living bread, having come down out of heaven. If any man eats of this bread, he will live into the age. And also, the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore contended with each other, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in yourselves. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is truly food, and my blood is truly drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, also he who eats me, that man will also live because of me. This is the bread that came down out of heaven, not as your fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this bread will live into the age.
And he said to them, Ye understand how it is unlawful for a Jewish man to fraternize or to visit with a foreign man, and yet God demonstrated to me not to call one man profane or unclean.
For before certain men came from James he ate together with the Gentiles, but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing men of circumcision.
And I went to the agent, telling him to give me the little book. And he says to me, Take and eat it. And it will make thy belly bitter, but it will be sweet as honey in thy mouth.
Easton
The ancient Hebrews would not eat with the Egyptians (Ge 43:32). In the time of our Lord they would not eat with Samaritans (John 4:9), and were astonished that he ate with publicans and sinners (Mt 9:11). The Hebrews originally sat at table, but afterwards adopted the Persian and Chaldean practice of reclining (Lu 7:36-50). Their principal meal was at noon (Ge 43:16; 1Ki 20:16; Ru 2:14; Lu 14:12). The word "eat" is used metaphorically in Jer 15:16; Eze 3:1; Re 10:9. In Joh 6:53-58, "eating and drinking" means believing in Christ. Women were never present as guests at meals (q.v.).
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And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house, and kill, and make ready, for the men shall dine with me at noon.
And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, who ate with him, by themselves, because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
And at mealtime Boaz said to her, Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers, and they passed her parched grain, and she ate, and was satisfied, and left of it.
Thy words were found, and I ate them. And thy words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart. For I am called by thy name, O LORD, God of hosts.
And he said to me, Son of man, eat that which thou find. Eat this roll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?
And a certain man of the Pharisees asked him that he would eat with him. And having entered into the Pharisee's house, he sat down. And behold, a woman in the city who was sinful. And when she knew that he sat in the Pharisee's house, having brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, read more. and having stood behind near his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with the tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. And she kissed his feet much, and anointed them with the ointment. But when the Pharisee who invited him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind the woman is who touches him, that she is sinful. And having responded, Jesus said to him, Simon, I have something to say to thee. And he says, speak Teacher. There were two debtors to a certain creditor, the one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And of them not having to repay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore, do thou say, will love him more? And having answered, Simon said, I suppose that it was to whom he forgave more. And he said to him, Thou have judged correctly. And having turned to the woman, he said to Simon, See thou this woman? I entered into thy house; thou gave no water for my feet. But this woman has wet my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gave me no kiss, but this woman, since I came in, has not ceased kissing my feet much. Thou did not anoint my head with olive oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment. For this reason I say to thee, her many sins are forgiven, because she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, loves little. And he said to her, Thy sins are forgiven. And those who sat together began to say within themselves, Who is this who even forgives sins? And he said to the woman, Thy faith has saved thee. Go in peace.
And he also said to the man who invited him, When thou make a dinner or a supper, do not call thy friends, nor thy brothers, nor thy kinsmen, nor prosperous neighbors, lest they also invite thee in return, and a recompense be made
Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in yourselves. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. read more. For my flesh is truly food, and my blood is truly drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, also he who eats me, that man will also live because of me. This is the bread that came down out of heaven, not as your fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this bread will live into the age.
And I went to the agent, telling him to give me the little book. And he says to me, Take and eat it. And it will make thy belly bitter, but it will be sweet as honey in thy mouth.
Morish
Besides the common use of this word, it is employed symbolically for to 'consume, destroy:' they "eat up my people as they eat bread." Ps 14:4; cf. Pr 30:14; Hab 3:14; 2Ti 2:17. Also for receiving, digesting, and delighting in God's words: "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts." Jer 15:16. To eat together of the same bread or food is a token of friendship. Jos 9:14; Ps 41:9; Cant. 5:1; Joh 13:18; and such an expression of intimacy is forbidden towards those walking disorderly. 1Co 5:11. It is used to express the satisfaction of doing the work that is before the soul: the Lord said, "I have meat to eat that ye know not of." Joh 4:32. Also to express appropriation to the eater of the death of Christ: "except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." Joh 6:53. (In Joh 6:51,53 there is eating for reception, ????; and in Joh 6:54,56-57, eating as a present thing for the maintenance of life, ?????.) In the Lord's Supper the Christian eats that which is a symbol of the body of Christ, Mt 26:26, and in eating he has communion with Christ's death. 1Co 10:16.
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And the men took of their provision, and did not ask counsel at the mouth of LORD.
Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people [as] they eat bread, and call not upon LORD?
Yea, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
There is a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jaw teeth, knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
Thy words were found, and I ate them. And thy words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart. For I am called by thy name, O LORD, God of hosts.
Thou pierced with his own staves the head of his warriors. They came as a whirlwind to scatter me. Their rejoicing was as to devour the poor man secretly.
And as they were eating, Jesus, having taken bread, having expressed thanks, broke in pieces, and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body.
But he said to them, I have food to eat that ye know not.
I am the living bread, having come down out of heaven. If any man eats of this bread, he will live into the age. And also, the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in yourselves.
Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in yourselves. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, also he who eats me, that man will also live because of me.
I speak not about you all. I have seen whom I chose, but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He who eats bread with me lifted up his heel against me.
But now I write to you not to associate if any man who is called a brother is a fornicator, or a greedy man, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or a predator, not even to eat with such kind.
The cup of the blessing that we bless, is it not a participation of the blood of the Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation of the body of the Christ?
Watsons
EATING. The ancient Hebrews did not eat indifferently with all persons: they would have esteemed themselves polluted and dishonoured by eating with people of another religion, or of an odious profession. In Joseph's day they neither ate with the Egyptians, nor the Egyptians with them, Ge 43:32; nor, in our Saviour's time, with the Samaritans, Joh 4:9. The Jews were scandalized at Christ's eating with publicans and sinners, Mt 9:11. As there were several sorts of meats, the use of which was prohibited, they could not conveniently eat with those who partook of them, fearing to receive pollution by touching such food, or if by accident any particles of it should fall on them. The ancient Hebrews, at their meals, had each his separate table. Joseph, entertaining his brethren in Egypt, seated them separately, each at his particular table; and he himself sat down separately from the Egyptians, who ate with him; but he sent to his brethren portions out of the provisions which were before him, Ge 43:31, &c. Elkanah, Samuel's father, who had two wives, distributed their portions to them separately, 1Sa 1:4-5. In Homer, each guest has his little table apart; and the master of the feast distributes meat to each. We are assured that this is still practised in China; and that many in India never eat out of the same dish, nor on the same table, with another person, believing that they cannot do so without sin; and this, not only in their own country, but when travelling, and in foreign lands.
The ancient manners which we see in Homer we see likewise in Scripture, with regard to eating, drinking, and entertainments: we find great plenty, but little delicacy; and great respect and honour paid to the guests by serving them plentifully. Joseph sent his brother Benjamin a portion five times larger than those of his other brethren. Samuel set a whole quarter of a calf before Saul. The women did not appear at table in entertainments with the men: this would have been an indecency; as it is at this day throughout the east. The present Jews, before they sit down to table, carefully wash their hands: they speak of this ceremony as essential and obligatory. After meals they wash them again. When they sit down to table, the master of the house, or the chief person in the company, taking bread, breaks it, but does not wholly separate it; then, putting his hand on it, he recites this blessing: "Blessed be thou, O Lord our God, the King of the world, who producest the bread of the earth." Those present answer, "Amen." Having distributed the bread among the guests, he takes the vessel of wine in his right hand, saying, "Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the world, who hast produced the fruit of the vine." They then repeat the twenty-third Psalm. Buxtorf, and Leo of Modena, who have given particular accounts of the Jewish ceremonies, differ in some circumstances: the reason is, Buxtorf wrote principally the ceremonies of the German Jews, and Leo, those of the Italian Jews. They take care that, after meals, there shall be a piece of bread remaining on the table; the master of the house orders a glass to be washed, fills it with wine, and, elevating it, says," Let us bless Him of whose benefits we have been partaking:" the rest answer, "Blessed be He who has heaped his favours on us, and by his goodness has now fed us." Then he recites a pretty long prayer, wherein he thanks God for his many benefits vouchsafed to Israel; beseeches him to pity Jerusalem and his temple, to restore the throne of David, to send Elias and the Messiah, to deliver them out of their long captivity, &c. All present answer, "Amen;" and then recite Ps 34:9-10. Then, giving the glass with the little wine in it to be drunk round, he drinks what is left, and the table is cleared. See BANQUETS.
Partaking of the benefits of Christ's passion by faith is also called eating, because this is the support of our spiritual life, Joh 6:53,56. Hosea reproaches the priests of his time with eating the sins of the people, Ho 4:8; that is, feasting on their sin offerings, rather than reforming their manners. John the Baptist is said to have come "neither eating nor drinking," Mt 11:18; that is, as other men did; for he lived in the wilderness, on locusts, wild honey, and water, Mt 3:4; Lu 1:15. This is expressed: in Lu 7:33, by his neither eating "bread," nor drinking "wine." On the other hand, the Son of Man is said, in Mt 11:19, to have come "eating and drinking;" that is, as others did; and that too with all sorts of persons, Pharisees, publicans, and sinners.
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And he washed his face, and came out. And he restrained himself, and said, Set on bread. And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, who ate with him, by themselves, because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
And when the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions, but to Hannah he gave a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but LORD had shut up her womb.
O fear LORD, ye his sanctified, for there is no want to those who fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek LORD shall not want any good thing.
They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.
Now John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather belt about his waist. And his food was locusts and wild honey.
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold the man, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! And wisdom is justified from her children.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he should, no, not drink wine and strong drink. And he will be filled of Holy Spirit, even from his mother's belly.
For John the immerser has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and ye say, He has a demon.
The Samaritan woman therefore says to him, How do thou, being Jewish, ask to drink from me, being a Samaritan woman, for Jews do not associate with Samaritans?
Jesus therefore said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in yourselves.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me, and I in him.