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
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Jesus being invited to dinner at a certain Pharisee's house, he went home with him, and sat down to table. when a woman of that city, one that had led a loose life, knowing that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, came in with a vial of odoriferous liquor, read more. and stood behind at his feet weeping, bath'd them with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet, and poured the perfume upon them. which the Pharisee, who had invited him, observing, he thus argued with himself, if this man were a prophet, he could not but know that the woman, who is so busy with him, is a person of a loose character. in answer to his doubts, Jesus said, Simon, I have something to say to you. master, said he, lets hear it. A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed five hundred denarys, and the other fifty. having not wherewithal to pay it, he freely discharged them both of the debt. tell me now, which of the two will love him most? I think, said Simon, he that had the greatest debt remitted to him. you are in the right, said Jesus. and turning to the woman, he said to Simon, do you observe this woman? though I am a guest in your house, you never offer'd me any water for my feet: but she has bath'd my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. you did not salute me, but this woman, since she came in, has been continually kissing my feet. you did not bestow any oil upon my head; but she has poured her rich perfume upon my feet. wherefore, I tell you, her sins, which are numerous, are forgiven; and that is the reason of all this love: but his love is less, to whom less is forgiven. then he said to her, your sins are forgiven. but they who sat at table with him, began to ask one another, who is this, that pretends even to forgive sins? but he said to the woman, your faith hath saved you: 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).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
then taking the seven loaves, and the fish, he gave thanks, and distributed them, by pieces, to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
he sent out his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: but they would not come. then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment.
then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment.
they affect the uppermost place at feasts, the principal chair in the synagogues,
to this he answered, he that has his hand in the dish with mine, he it is that will betray me.
The Pharisees, and certain Scribes from Jerusalem, came in a body to Jesus; when observing that some of his disciples were eating with profane hands, that is, without having wash'd them, they found fault. read more. for the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, in pursuance of their antient traditions, never eat till they have wash'd their hands up to their elbows. nay, when they have been at any publick place, they never eat till they have washed. they observe besides several traditions, such as the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels, and beds.
nay, when they have been at any publick place, they never eat till they have washed. they observe besides several traditions, such as the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels, and beds. the Pharisees, and Scribes therefore ask'd Jesus, why don't your disciples observe the tradition of the antients? why do they take their meals without washing their hands? read more. Jesus answered, to such hypocrites as you may well be applied those words of the prophet Esaias, "this people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men." for laying aside what is of divine appointment, you stick to their human traditions, about the washing of pots, and cups, and many other the like practices. You are in the right, said he, to abolish the laws of God, to make way for such traditions. Moses said, "honour thy father and thy mother;" and, if any one speak contemptibly of his father, or his mother, let him be put to death. but your doctrine is this, if any one shall tell his father or his mother, that what he could bestow for their relief, is corban, that is, to be given to the temple; you discharge him from the obligation of doing any thing for his father or his mother. by such traditions, and such a number of practices, as you have settled, the word of God is stript of all its authority.
and to have the first seats in their synagogues, and at their feasts:
and stood behind at his feet weeping, bath'd them with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet, and poured the perfume upon them. which the Pharisee, who had invited him, observing, he thus argued with himself, if this man were a prophet, he could not but know that the woman, who is so busy with him, is a person of a loose character. read more. in answer to his doubts, Jesus said, Simon, I have something to say to you. master, said he, lets hear it. A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed five hundred denarys, and the other fifty. having not wherewithal to pay it, he freely discharged them both of the debt. tell me now, which of the two will love him most? I think, said Simon, he that had the greatest debt remitted to him. you are in the right, said Jesus. and turning to the woman, he said to Simon, do you observe this woman? though I am a guest in your house, you never offer'd me any water for my feet: but she has bath'd my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. you did not salute me, but this woman, since she came in, has been continually kissing my feet.
but Martha perplex'd with the hurry of her affairs, came to him, and said, Lord, don't you observe my sister has left me to serve all alone: direct her therefore to give me some assistance.
when any one invites you to a wedding, don't put yourself in the highest seat: for fear some person of greater distinction should be a guest,
Then he said to the Pharisee, that had invited him, when you give a dinner, or a supper, don't call your friends, or your brethren, or kinsmen, or wealthy neighbours; lest they invite you again, and make you a requital.
Then he said to the Pharisee, that had invited him, when you give a dinner, or a supper, don't call your friends, or your brethren, or kinsmen, or wealthy neighbours; lest they invite you again, and make you a requital. but when you make a feast call the poor, and maimed, the lame and blind:
now fill out, said he, and carry it to the steward of the feast, which accordingly they did.
then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that were sate down; and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would.
there a supper was provided for him; Martha was in waiting: but Lazarus was one of the guests that sat at table with him.
I say not this of you all; for I know whom I have chosen: and that passage of the scripture must be fulfilled, "He that eateth bread with me, hath lift up his heel against me."
now the favourite disciple of Jesus sat next to him at table. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, to ask who it was he meant. read more. then accordingly bending his head to Jesus's ear, he whisper'd, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, he it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have made it. and when he had made the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
having said this, he took bread, and gave thanks to God, the whole company present: then he broke it and began to eat,
let us behave with decency as in open view; not with rioting and drunkenness, not with lewdness and brutality, not with strife and envy.
drunkenness, revellings, and such like, concerning which I forewarn you now, as heretofore I have done, that they who practise such vices, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
do not drink to excess, for that tends to dissoluteness, but be regal'd with spiritual entertainments:
interdicting marriage; and the use of animal food; which God created for the repast of the faithful, who embrace the truth with thankfulness. for all that God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it be receiv'd 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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
who being before instructed by her mother, pray, said she, order John Baptist's head to be brought here in a charger.
whence his head was brought in a charger, and given to the young lady, who carried it to her mother.
then taking the seven loaves, and the fish, he gave thanks, and distributed them, by pieces, to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
he sent out his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: but they would not come. then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment.
then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment.
but upon the king's coming in to see the guests, he observ'd one there without a wedding garment: and he said to him,
they affect the uppermost place at feasts, the principal chair in the synagogues,
to this he answered, he that has his hand in the dish with mine, he it is that will betray me.
to this he answered, he that has his hand in the dish with mine, he it is that will betray me.
then Judas, he who was to betray him, said, master, is it I? Jesus replied, yes.
and he came, and taking her by the hand, lift her up; upon which the fever immediately left her, and she served them at table.
for the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, in pursuance of their antient traditions, never eat till they have wash'd their hands up to their elbows.
but he answered them, saying, it is one of the twelve, he that eats of the same mess with me.
and stood behind at his feet weeping, bath'd them with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet, and poured the perfume upon them.
and turning to the woman, he said to Simon, do you observe this woman? though I am a guest in your house, you never offer'd me any water for my feet: but she has bath'd my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. you did not salute me, but this woman, since she came in, has been continually kissing my feet.
but Martha perplex'd with the hurry of her affairs, came to him, and said, Lord, don't you observe my sister has left me to serve all alone: direct her therefore to give me some assistance.
but the Pharisee was surprized to see that he did not wash before dinner. upon which the Lord said to him, you Pharisees won't leave any filth upon the outside of a cup or a platter: while your consciences are abandon'd to rapine, and sensuality.
at supper-time he sent his servant to tell the guests to come, because every thing was ready.
at supper-time he sent his servant to tell the guests to come, because every thing was ready.
In the mean time his elder son was in the country. at his return, when he came near home, he heard the musick and dancing:
Who of you having a servant, that plows, or feeds your cattle, will immediately upon his coming from field, say to him, come and sit at table?
upon which his mother bid the servants do whatever he should order. now there were six cisterns of stone plac'd there for the use of the Jews in their purifications, containing two or three firkins a-piece.
now fill out, said he, and carry it to the steward of the feast, which accordingly they did. as soon as the steward had tasted the water that was made wine, (for he did not know whence it came, but the servants who drew the water knew it,) he called the bridegroom,
now the favourite disciple of Jesus sat next to him at table.
Jesus answered, he it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have made it. and when he had made the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
come, said Jesus, let us dine. but none of the disciples offer'd to ask him, who he was; for they saw well enough that it was the Lord. Jesus then advanc'd, and taking bread, he gave them some, and fish likewise.
So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, do you love me more than these do? yes, Lord, said he, you know that I love you. Jesus reply'd, feed my lambs.
having said this, he took bread, and gave thanks to God, the whole company present: then he broke it and 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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
he sent out his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: but they would not come. then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment.
but upon the king's coming in to see the guests, he observ'd one there without a wedding garment: and he said to him,
to this he answered, he that has his hand in the dish with mine, he it is that will betray me.
and to have the first seats in their synagogues, and at their feasts:
and turning to the woman, he said to Simon, do you observe this woman? though I am a guest in your house, you never offer'd me any water for my feet: but she has bath'd my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. you did not salute me, but this woman, since she came in, has been continually kissing my feet.
Then he said to the Pharisee, that had invited him, when you give a dinner, or a supper, don't call your friends, or your brethren, or kinsmen, or wealthy neighbours; lest they invite you again, and make you a requital.
now fill out, said he, and carry it to the steward of the feast, which accordingly they did.
but Mary taking a pound of the oil of spikenard which was very costly, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair: so that the house was filled with the odour of the perfume.
now the favourite disciple of Jesus sat next to him at table.
Jesus answered, he it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have made it. and when he had made the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
come, said Jesus, let us dine. but none of the disciples offer'd to ask him, who he was; for they saw well enough that it was the Lord.
Then Peter turning about, saw the favourite disciple of Jesus was behind; the same who leaned next to Jesus at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that is to betray you?