Reference: Meals
American
See EATING.
Easton
are at the present day "eaten from a round table little higher than a stool, guests sitting cross-legged on mats or small carpets in a circle, and dipping their fingers into one large dish heaped with a mixture of boiled rice and other grain and meat. But in the time of our Lord, and perhaps even from the days of Amos (Am 6:4,7), the foreign custom had been largely introduced of having broad couches, forming three sides of a small square, the guests reclining at ease on their elbows during meals, with their faces to the space within, up and down which servants passed offering various dishes, or in the absence of servants, helping themselves from dishes laid on a table set between the couches." Geikie's Life of Christ. (Comp. Lu 7:36-50.) (See Abraham's bosom; Banquet; Feast.)
Illustration: Roman Triclinium
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And a certain one of the Pharisees, asked Him, that He would eat with him, and having come into the house of the Pharisee, He sat down to the table. Behold, a woman who was a sinner, in the city, also having learned that He is dining in the house of the Pharisee, breaking an alabaster box of myrrh, read more. and standing behind by His feet, weeping, began to moisten His feel with tears, and she wiped them with the hairs of her head, and she continued to copiously kiss His feet, and to anoint them with the myrrh. And the Pharisee, having invited Him, seeing, spoke within himself, saying, If He were a prophet, He would know who and what kind the woman is, who touches Him, because she is a sinner. And Jesus responding 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 him five hundred denaria, and the other fifty. And they not being able to pay, he forgave them both. Then which one of them will love him the more? Simon responding said, I perceive, that he, to whom he forgave the more. And He said to him, You answered correctly. And turning to the woman He said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with her hairs. Thou gavest me no kiss: she, from the time I came in, did not cease copiously kissing my feet. Thou didst not anoint my head with oil: but she anointed my feet with myrrh. Therefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but he to whom little is forgiven, loveth little. And He said to her; Thy sins are forgiven. And those sitting along with Him began to say among themselves, Who is this who even forgives sins? And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved them; go in peace.
Fausets
The ariston, often translated "dinner," is rather breakfast or luncheon (Mt 22:4); Lu 14:12 "a dinner (breakfast or luncheon) or a supper" (deipnon, a late dinner). The principal Egyptian meal was at noon (Ge 43:16); but the Jews' chief meal at even (Ge 19:1-3, Lot; Ru 3:7, Boaz). Israel ate bread or manna in the morning, flesh in the evening (Ex 16:12); the Passover supper in the evening confirms this. The ancient Hebrew sat at meals (Ge 27:19; Jg 19:6), but not necessarily on a chair, which was reserved as a special dignity (2Ki 4:10). Reclining on couches was latterly the posture at meals (Am 6:4); Am 3:12 says, "dwell in the corner of a bed," i.e. the inner corner where the two sides of the divan meet, the place of dignity (Pusey), "and in Damascus (in) a couch"; not as Gesenius "on a damask couch," for Damascus was then famed for the raw material "white wool" (Eze 27:18), not yet for damask.
Derived from the Syrians, Babylonians, and Persians (Es 1:6; 7:8). For "tables," Mr 7:4, translated "couches"; and for "sitting at meat" in New Testament translated everywhere "reclining." As three were generally on one couch, one lay or "leaned" on another's bosom, as John did on Jesus' chest. Such a close position was chosen by friends, and gave the opportunity of confidential whispering, as when John asked who should betray Jesus (Joh 13:23-25). Ordinarily, three couches (the highest, the middle, and the lowest) formed three sides of a square, the fourth being open for the servants to bring the dishes. On each couch there was the highest, the middle and the lowest guest. "The uppermost room" desired by the Pharisees was the highest seat on the highest couch (Mt 23:6). Females were not as now in the East secluded from the males at meals, as the cases of Ruth among the reapers (Ru 2:14), Elkanah with his wives (1Sa 1:4), Job's sons and daughters (Job 1:4) show.
The women served the men (Lu 10:40; Joh 12:2). The blessing of the food by thanks to the Giver preceded the meal; the only Old Testament instance is 1Sa 9:13. Our Lord always did so (Mt 15:36; Joh 6:11); so Paul (Ac 27:35), confirming precept (1Ti 4:3-4) by practice. De 8:10 implies the duty of grace at the close of a meal. A bread sop held between the thumb and two fingers was dipped into the melted grease in a bowl, or into a dish of meat, and a piece taken out. To hand a friend a delicate morsel was esteemed a kindly act. So Jesus to Judas, treating him as a friend, which aggravates his treachery (Joh 13:18,26; Ps 41:9). Geier, in Poli Synopsis, translated Pr 19:24 "a slothful man hides his hand in the "dish" (tsaliachat) and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again"; KJV means the cavity in the bosom like a dish. Great feasts were held at the end of each third year (De 14:28) when the Levite, stranger, fatherless, and widow were invited (compare Lu 14:12-13; Ne 8:10-12).
After a previous invitation, on the day of the feast a second was issued to intimate all was ready (Es 5:8; 6:14; Mt 22:3-4). The guests were received with a kiss; water for the feet, ointment for the person, and robes were supplied (Lu 7:38-45). The washing of hands before meals was indispensable for cleanliness, as the ringers were their knives and forks, and all the guests dipped into the same dish (Mt 26:23). The Pharisees overlaid this with a minute and burdensome ritual (Mr 7:1-13). Wreaths were worn on the head: Isa 28:1, where the beauty of Samaria is the "fading flower on the head of the fat valleys." Its position on the brow of a hill made the comparison appropriate. Hebraism for "woe to the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim" (Horsley).
Its people were generally drunken revelers literally, and metaphorically like such were rushing on their own ruin (Isa 28:7-8; 5:11-22; Am 4:1; 6:1-6). The nation would perish as the drunkard's soon fading wreath. A "governor of the feast" (architriklinos, the Greek sumposiarchees, the Latin magister convivii) superintended, tasting the food and liquors, and settling the order and rules of the entertainment (Joh 2:8). The places were assigned according to the respective rank (Ge 43:33; 1Sa 9:22; Lu 14:8; Mr 12:39). Drinking revels were called mishteh (the komos of the Greeks, Latin comissatio), 1Sa 25:36. Condemned by the prophets (Isa 5:11; Am 6:6) and apostles (Ro 13:13; Ga 5:21; Eph 5:18; 1Pe 4:3).
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He took the seven loaves and the fishes; having given thanks, He broke them, and gave to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And he sent his servants to invite those who had been called to the marriage: and they were not willing to come. And again he sent other servants, saying; Speak to those who have been called, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatling are slain, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.
And again he sent other servants, saying; Speak to those who have been called, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatling are slain, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.
and they love the first couch at the suppers, and the first seats in the synagogues,
And responding He said, The one dipping his hand in the dish with me, the same shall betray me.
And the Pharisees and certain ones of the scribes, having come from Jerusalem, gather to Him. And seeing certain ones of His disciples eating bread with defiled, that is, unwashed hands. read more. For the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they diligently wash their hands, do not eat, holding the tradition of the elders. And from the forum, unless they may baptize themselves, they do not eat: and many other things which they have received to hold, the baptism of cups, and pots, and brazen vessels, and couches.
And from the forum, unless they may baptize themselves, they do not eat: and many other things which they have received to hold, the baptism of cups, and pots, and brazen vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Wherefore do not thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders: but they eat bread with unwashed hands? read more. And responding He said to them, Beautifully did Isaiah prophesy concerning you hypocrites, as has been written, This people honor me with lips, but their heart is far from me. In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For having left the commandment of God, you are holding the tradition of men. And He said to them, Truly, you make void the commandment of God, that you may hold your own tradition. For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and let the one speaking evil of father and mother die the death. But you say, If a man may say to father or mother, Corban, that is a gift, whatsoever you may be profited by me; and you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother; making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have given: and you do many such similar things.
and the first seats in the synagogues, and the first couches at the suppers.
and standing behind by His feet, weeping, began to moisten His feel with tears, and she wiped them with the hairs of her head, and she continued to copiously kiss His feet, and to anoint them with the myrrh. And the Pharisee, having invited Him, seeing, spoke within himself, saying, If He were a prophet, He would know who and what kind the woman is, who touches Him, because she is a sinner. read more. And Jesus responding 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 him five hundred denaria, and the other fifty. And they not being able to pay, he forgave them both. Then which one of them will love him the more? Simon responding said, I perceive, that he, to whom he forgave the more. And He said to him, You answered correctly. And turning to the woman He said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with her hairs. Thou gavest me no kiss: she, from the time I came in, did not cease copiously kissing my feet.
and Martha was very busy about much serving. And standing over Him, she said, Lord, is there no care to thee that my sister has left me to serve alone? then say to her that she must assist me.
When you may be called by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down upon the first couch; lest one more worthy than thee may have been called by him,
And He spoke to the one having also invited Him, When you may make a dinner or a supper, do not call your rich friends, nor your brothers, nor your kindred, nor your neighbors; lest they may also invite thee in turn, and there may be a recompense unto thee.
And He spoke to the one having also invited Him, When you may make a dinner or a supper, do not call your rich friends, nor your brothers, nor your kindred, nor your neighbors; lest they may also invite thee in turn, and there may be a recompense unto thee. But when you may make a feast, invite the poor, maimed, lame, blind:
And He says to them, Now draw out and carry to the chief ruler of the feast,
And Jesus took the bread; and gave thanks, and gave it to the disciples, and the disciples to the people sitting down; and likewise also of the fishes so much as they wished.
Then they made a supper for Him there: and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with Him.
I do not speak concerning you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.
And one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved, was leaning on the bosom of Jesus. Then Simon Peter beckons to him, to ask who he might be concerning whom He speaks. read more. And that one, falling toward the bosom of Jesus says to Him, Lord, who is he? And Jesus responds, He is that one to whom, having dipped the morsel, I will give it. And having dipped the morsel, He takes it, and gives it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
And having spoken these words, and taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and breaking it, began to eat.
Let us walk circumspectly, as in the day; not with revelries and drunkenness, not with debaucheries and impurities, not in strife and envy:
envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and things like unto these: which I tell you beforehand, as I did previously say to you, that those doing such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Be not drunk with wine, in which there is riot, but be ye filled with the Spirit;
forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from meats, which God created for reception with thanksgiving to the faithful and to those perfectly knowing the truth. Because every creature of God is good, and nothing rejected, being received with thanksgiving:
Hastings
In the art. Food attention was confined to the various articles of diet supplied by the vegetable and animal kingdoms. It now remains to study the methods by which these were prepared for the table, the times at which, and the manner in which, they were served.
1. Preparation of food.
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And being instigated by her mother, she says, Give me the head of John the Baptist here in a charger.
and his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
He took the seven loaves and the fishes; having given thanks, He broke them, and gave to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And he sent his servants to invite those who had been called to the marriage: and they were not willing to come. And again he sent other servants, saying; Speak to those who have been called, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatling are slain, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.
And again he sent other servants, saying; Speak to those who have been called, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatling are slain, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.
And the king having come in to look upon the guests, saw there a man not having on a wedding-garment.
and they love the first couch at the suppers, and the first seats in the synagogues,
And responding He said, The one dipping his hand in the dish with me, the same shall betray me.
And responding He said, The one dipping his hand in the dish with me, the same shall betray me.
But Judas, the one betraying Him, responding said, Master, whether am I the one? He says to him, Thou hast said it.
And having come to her, taking her by the hand, He raised her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she continued to minister unto them.
For the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they diligently wash their hands, do not eat, holding the tradition of the elders.
And He said to them, One of the twelve who is dipping with me in the dish.
and standing behind by His feet, weeping, began to moisten His feel with tears, and she wiped them with the hairs of her head, and she continued to copiously kiss His feet, and to anoint them with the myrrh.
And turning to the woman He said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with her hairs. Thou gavest me no kiss: she, from the time I came in, did not cease copiously kissing my feet.
and Martha was very busy about much serving. And standing over Him, she said, Lord, is there no care to thee that my sister has left me to serve alone? then say to her that she must assist me.
And the Pharisee seeing, was astonished because He was not first baptized before dinner. And the Lord said to him, Now you Pharisees purify the outside of the cup and the plate, but the interior is full of extortion and wickedness.
and at the hour, of the supper he sent his servants to say to those who were invited, Come; because they are now ready.
and at the hour, of the supper he sent his servants to say to those who were invited, Come; because they are now ready.
And his elder son was in the field: and while coming he drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
But which one of you, having a servant plowing or serving a shepherd, who will say to him, having come in from the field, Coming hither sit down immediately?
His mother says to the servants, Do whatsoever He may say to you. And there were six waterpots of stone sitting there according to the purification of the Jews, containing about two or three firkins. Jesus says to them,
And He says to them, Now draw out and carry to the chief ruler of the feast, and they brought it to him. And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water, having been made wine, and did not know whence it is (but the servants having drawn the water knew), the ruler calls the groom,
And one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved, was leaning on the bosom of Jesus.
And Jesus responds, He is that one to whom, having dipped the morsel, I will give it. And having dipped the morsel, He takes it, and gives it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Jesus says to them, Come, take breakfast. But no one of the disciples dared to ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that He is the Lord. Jesus comes, and takes bread, and gives it to them, and fish likewise.
Then when they took breakfast, Jesus says to Simon Peter; Simon, the son of Jonah, dost thou love me with divine love more than these? He says to Him, Yes, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee as a friend. He says to him; Feed my lambs.
And having spoken these words, and taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and breaking it, began to eat.
Smith
Meals.
Our information on the subject of meals is but scanty. The early Hebrews do not seem to have given special names to their several meals, for the terms rendered "dine" and "dinner" in the Authorized Version (
) are in reality general expressions, which might more correctly be rendered "eat" and "portion of food." In the New Testament "dinner" and "supper,"
Lu 14:12; Joh 21:12
are more properly "breakfast" and "dinner." There is some uncertainty as to the hours at which meals were taken; the Egyptians undoubtedly took their principal mean at noon,
laborers took a light meal at that time.
comp. ver. Ruth 2:17 The Jews rather followed the custom that prevails among the Bedouins, and made their principal meal after sunset, and a lighter meal at about 9 or 10 A.M. The old Hebrews were in the habit of sitting.
Ge 27:19; Jg 19:6; 1Sa 20:5,24; 1Ki 13:20
The table was in this case but slightly elevated above the ground, as is still the case in Egypt. As luxury increased, the practice of sitting was exchanged for that of reclining was the universal custom. As several guests reclined on the same couch, each overlapped his neighbor, as it were, and rested his head on or near the breast of the one who lay behind him; he was then said to "lean on the bosom" of his neighbor.
Joh 13:23; 21:20
The ordinary arrangement of the couches was in three sides of a square, the fourth being left open for the servants to bring up the dishes. Some doubt attends the question whether the females took their meals along with the males. Before commencing the meal the guests washed their hands. This custom was founded on natural decorum: not only was the hand the substitute for our knife and for, but the hands of all the guests were dipped into one and the same dish. Another preliminary step was the grace or blessing, of which we have but one instance in the Old Testament --
--and more than one pronounced by our Lord himself in the new Testament --Matt 15:36; Luke 9:16; John 6:11 The mode of taking the food differed in no material point from the modern usages of the East. Generally there was a single dish, into which each gue
Occasionally separate portions were served out to each.
A piece of bread was held between the thumb and two fingers of the right hand, and was dipped either into a bowl of melted grease (in which case it was termed "a sop,")
Joh 13:26
or into the dish of meat, whence a piece was conveyed to the mouth between the layers of bread. At the conclusion of the meal, grace was again said in conformity with
De 8:10
and the hands were again washed. On state occasions more ceremony was used, and the meal was enlivened in various ways. A sumptuous repast was prepared; the guests were previously invited,
and on the day of the feast a second invitation was issued to those that were bidden.
The visitors were received with a kiss,
Lu 7:45
water was furnished for them to wash their feet with,
Lu 7:44
the head, the beard, the feet, and sometimes the clothes, were perfumed with ointment,
Ps 23:5; Joh 12:3
on special occasions robes were provided,
and the head was decorated with wreaths.
The regulation of the feast was under the superintendence of a special officer,
Joh 2:8
(Authorized Version "governor of the feast"), whose business it was to taste the food and the liquors before they were placed on the table, and to settle about the toasts and amusements; he was generally one of the guests, Ecclus. 32:1,2, and might therefore take part in the conversation. The places of the guests were settled according to their respective rand,
portions of food were placed before each,
the most honored guests receiving either larger,
or more choice,
portions than the rest. The meal was enlivened with music, singing and dancing,
or with riddles,
and amid these entertainments the festival was prolonged for several days.
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And he sent his servants to invite those who had been called to the marriage: and they were not willing to come. And again he sent other servants, saying; Speak to those who have been called, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatling are slain, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.
And the king having come in to look upon the guests, saw there a man not having on a wedding-garment.
And responding He said, The one dipping his hand in the dish with me, the same shall betray me.
and the first seats in the synagogues, and the first couches at the suppers.
And turning to the woman He said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with her hairs. Thou gavest me no kiss: she, from the time I came in, did not cease copiously kissing my feet.
And He spoke to the one having also invited Him, When you may make a dinner or a supper, do not call your rich friends, nor your brothers, nor your kindred, nor your neighbors; lest they may also invite thee in turn, and there may be a recompense unto thee.
And He says to them, Now draw out and carry to the chief ruler of the feast,
Then Mary taking a pound of myrrh of spikenard, estimated very valuable, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the myrrh.
And one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved, was leaning on the bosom of Jesus.
And Jesus responds, He is that one to whom, having dipped the morsel, I will give it. And having dipped the morsel, He takes it, and gives it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Jesus says to them, Come, take breakfast. But no one of the disciples dared to ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that He is the Lord.
And Peter turning sees the disciple, whom Jesus loved, following; who also leaned upon His breast in the supper, and said; Lord, who is the one having betrayed thee?