Reference: Eating
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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, even mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted, who did also eat my bread, hath lift up his heel against me.
When I had found thy words, I ate them up greedily: they have made my heart joyful and glad, for I call upon thy name, O LORD God of Hosts.
After this said he unto me, "Thou son of man, eat that, whatsoever it be: Yea, eat that closed book, and go thy way, and speak unto the children of Israel."
When the Pharisees saw that, they said unto his disciples, "Why eateth your master with publicans and sinners?"
Then the woman of Samaria said unto him, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a Samaritan?" For the Jews meddle not with the Samaritans.
But whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him, shall never be more a thirst: But the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Moses gave you bread from heaven: but my father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For he is the bread of God, which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world." read more. Then said they unto him, "Lord, ever more give us this bread." And Jesus said unto them, "I am that bread of life. He that cometh to me, shall not hunger: and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye have seen me, and yet believe ye not. All that the father giveth me, shall come to me: and him that cometh to me, cast I not away. For I came down from heaven: not to do mine own will, but his will which hath sent me. And this is the father's will which hath sent me: that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me: That every man which seeth the son, and believeth on him, have everlasting life. And I will raise him up at the last day." The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, "I am that bread which is come down from heaven." And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father, and mother we know? How is it then that he sayeth, I came down from heaven?" Jesus answered and said unto them, "Murmur not between yourselves. No man can come to me except the father, which hath sent me, draw him. And I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'That they shall all be taught of God.' Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the father, cometh unto me: not that any man hath seen the father, save he which is of God. The same hath seen the father. Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. "I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness: and are dead. This, is that bread which cometh from heaven: that he which of it eateth, should also not die. I am that living bread, which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever. And the bread that I will give, is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." And the Jews strove among themselves, saying, "How can this fellow give us his flesh to eat?" Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the son of man, and drink his blood, ye shall not have life in you. Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, the same hath eternal life: And I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me: and I in him. As the living father hath sent me, even so live I by my father: and he that eateth me, shall live by me. This is the bread which came from heaven: not as your fathers have eaten manna and are dead. He that eateth of this bread, shall live ever."
And he said unto them, "Ye do know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to company or come unto an alien: But God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean:
For yer that certain came from James, he ate with the gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision,
And I went unto the angel, and said to him, "Give me the little book," and he said unto me, "Take it, and eat it up, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth as sweet as honey."
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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When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, "Bring these men home, and slay and make ready: for they shall dine with me at noon."
And they prepared for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians which ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians may not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
And Boaz, when the time of refection was come, said unto her, "Come hither and eat of the bread, and dip thy sop in the vinegar." And she sat down by the reapers, and he reached her parched corn. And so she did eat and was sufficed, and left part.
When I had found thy words, I ate them up greedily: they have made my heart joyful and glad, for I call upon thy name, O LORD God of Hosts.
After this said he unto me, "Thou son of man, eat that, whatsoever it be: Yea, eat that closed book, and go thy way, and speak unto the children of Israel."
When the Pharisees saw that, they said unto his disciples, "Why eateth your master with publicans and sinners?"
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And behold a woman in that city, which was a sinner, as soon as she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster box of ointment, read more. and she stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment. When the Pharisee which bade him to his house, saw that, he spake within himself, saying, "If this man were a prophet, he would surely have known who and what manner woman this is which toucheth him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answered, and said unto him, "Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee." And he said, "Master say on." "There was a certain lender, which had two debtors, the one ought five hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them tell me, will love him most?" Simon answered, and said, "I suppose that he to whom he forgave most." And he said unto him, "Thou hast truly judged." And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, "Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, and thou gavest me no water to my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Many sins are forgiven her, for she loved much. To whom less is forgiven, the same doeth less love." And he said unto her, "Thy sins are forgiven thee." And they that sat at meat with him, began to say within themselves, "Who is this which forgiveth sins also?" And he said to the woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee; Go in peace."
Then said he also to him that had desired him to dinner, "When thou makest a dinner, or a supper: call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor yet rich neighbours: lest they bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.
Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the son of man, and drink his blood, ye shall not have life in you. Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, the same hath eternal life: And I will raise him up at the last day. read more. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me: and I in him. As the living father hath sent me, even so live I by my father: and he that eateth me, shall live by me. This is the bread which came from heaven: not as your fathers have eaten manna and are dead. He that eateth of this bread, shall live ever."
And I went unto the angel, and said to him, "Give me the little book," and he said unto me, "Take it, and eat it up, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth as sweet as honey."
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 victuals, and counseled not with the mouth of the LORD.
Have they no knowledge, that they are all such workers of mischief, eating up my people as it were bread, and call not upon the LORD?
Yea, even mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted, who did also eat my bread, hath lift up his heel against me.
This peoples' teeth are swords, and with their jawbones they consume and devour the simple of the earth, and the poor from among men.
When I had found thy words, I ate them up greedily: they have made my heart joyful and glad, for I call upon thy name, O LORD God of Hosts.
Thou didst strike through with his scepter, the heads of his plan people: which come as a stormy wind to scatter me abroad, and are glad when they may eat up the poor secretly.
As they did eat, Jesus took bread and gave thanks, brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take. Eat. This is my body."
He said unto them, "I have meat to eat, that ye know not of."
I am that living bread, which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever. And the bread that I will give, is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the son of man, and drink his blood, ye shall not have life in you.
Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the son of man, and drink his blood, ye shall not have life in you. Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, the same hath eternal life: And I will raise him up at the last day.
He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me: and I in him. As the living father hath sent me, even so live I by my father: and he that eateth me, shall live by me.
"I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: But that the scripture be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
but now I write unto you that ye company not together. If any that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or a worshipper of images, either a railer, either a drunkard, or an extortioner: with him that is such see that ye eat not.
Is not the cup of blessing which we bless, partaking of the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break, partaking of the body of 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 refrained himself, and bade set bread on the table. And they prepared for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians which ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians may not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
And it fell on a day, as Elkanah had offered, that he gave to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters portions. But unto Hannah he gave a portion with a heavy cheer, for he loved her; nevertheless the LORD had made her barren.
O fear the LORD, ye that are his saints: for they that fear him lack nothing. The lions do lack, and suffer hunger; but they who seek the LORD shall want no manner of thing that is good.
They eat up the sins of my people, and courage them in their wickedness.
This John had his garment of camel's hair, and a girdle of a skin about his loins; his meat was locusts and wild honey.
When the Pharisees saw that, they said unto his disciples, "Why eateth your master with publicans and sinners?"
For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, he hath the devil. The son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a glutton, and drinker of wine, and a friend unto publicans, and sinners. And neverthelater, wisdom is justified of her children."
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither drink wine nor strong drink. And he shall be filled with the holy ghost, even in his mother's womb:
For John Baptist came unto you neither eating bread, nor drinking wine, and ye say, 'He hath the devil.'
Then the woman of Samaria said unto him, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a Samaritan?" For the Jews meddle not with the Samaritans.
Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the son of man, and drink his blood, ye shall not have life in you.
He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me: and I in him.