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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Ye that lie upon beds of ivory, and use your wantonness upon your couches; ye that eat the best lambs of the flock, and the fattest calves of the drove;
Therefore now shall ye be the first of them, that shall be led away captive, and the lusty cheer of the willful shall come to an end.
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."
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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And there came two angels to Sodom at even. And Lot sat at the gate of the city. And Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them, and he bowed himself to the ground with his face. And he said, "See lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house; and tarry all night and wash your feet, and rise up early and go on your ways." And they said, "Nay, but we will bide in the streets all night." read more. And he compelled them exceedingly. And they turned in unto him and entered into his house, and he made them a feast and did bake sweet cakes, and they ate.
And Jacob said unto his father, "I am Esau, thy eldest son. I have done according as thou baddest me: up and sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me."
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 sat before him; the eldest according unto his age, and the youngest according unto his youth. And the men marveled among themselves.
"I have heard the murmuring of the children of Israel, tell them therefore and say that at evening they shall eat flesh, and in the morning they shall be filled with bread, and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God."
When thou hast eaten therefore and filled thyself, then bless the LORD for the good land which he hath given thee.
At the end of three years, thou shalt bring forth all the tithes of thine increase the same year and lay it up within thine own city,
And they sat down and did eat and drink both of them together. Then said the damsel's father unto the man, "Go to, I pray thee, and tarry all night and let thine heart be merry."
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.
And when Boaz had eaten and drunken and made him merry, he went and lay down by the side of the heap. And she came softly, and lift up the clothes of his feet, and laid her down.
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.
When ye be come into the city, so shall you find him, yer he go up to the hill to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he must bless the offering. And then eat they that be bidden to the feast. Now therefore get you up for even now shall ye find him."
And when Abigail came to Nabal, behold, he held a feast in his house like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, and he was drunk a good. Wherefore she told him nought, neither little nor more, until the morrow day.
Let us make him a chamber with a little wall, and let us set him there a bed, a table, a stool and a candlestick, that he may turn in thither, when he cometh to us."
Therefore said he unto them, "Go your way, and eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send part unto them also that have not prepared themselves: for this day is holy unto our LORD. Be not ye sorry therefore: for the joy of the LORD is your strength." And the Levites stilled all the people, and said, "Hold your peace, for the day is holy: vex not ye yourselves." read more. And all the people went their way to eat and to drink, and to send part unto others, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
where there hanged white, red and yellow cloths, fastened with cords of linen and scarlet in silver rings, upon pillars of Marble stone. The benches were of gold and silver made upon a pavement of green, white, yellow and black Marble.
if I have found grace in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to give me my petition, and to fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and so will I do tomorrow as the king hath said."
While they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and caused Haman to make haste to come unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
And when the king came again out of the palace garden into the parlor where they had eaten, Haman had laid him upon the bed that Esther sat upon. Then said the king, "Will he force the queen also? Beside me, in the house?" As soon as that word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
And his sons went and made banquets - one day in one house, another day in another - and sent for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
Yea, even mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted, who did also eat my bread, hath lift up his heel against me.
A slothful body shutteth his hand into his bosom; so that he cannot put it to his mouth.
Woe unto them that rise up early to use themselves in drunkenness, and yet at night are more superfluous with wine.
Woe unto them that rise up early to use themselves in drunkenness, and yet at night are more superfluous with wine. In those companies are harps and lutes, tabrets and pipes, and wine. But they regard not the work of the LORD, and consider not the operation of his hands. read more. Therefore cometh my folk also in captivity, because they have no understanding. Their glory is famished with hunger, and their pride is marred for thirst. Therefore gapeth hell, and openeth her mouth marvelous wide: that their pride, boasting, and wealth, with such as rejoice therein, may descend into it. Thus shall man have a fall; he shall be brought low, and the high looks of the proud shall be laid down. But the LORD of Hosts, that holy God: shall be exalted and untouched, when he shall declare his equity and righteousness after this manner. Then shall the sheep eat their appointed fodder; and the rich mens' lands, that were laid waste, shall strangers devour. Woe be unto vain persons, that draw wickedness unto them with cords of vanity; and sin, as it were with a cart rope. Which used to speak on this manner: "Let him make haste now, and go forth with his work, that we may see it! Let that counsel of the holy one of Israel come, and draw nigh, that we may know it!" Woe be unto them that call evil good, and good evil: which make darkness light, and light darkness, that make sour sweet, and sweet sour. Woe be unto them that are wise in their own sight, and think themselves to have understanding. Woe be unto them that are cunning men to sup out wine and expert to set up drunkenness.
Woe be to the crown of pride, even to the drunken people of Ephraim, whose great pomp is as a flower that fadeth away upon the head of the valley of such as be in wealth, and are overladen with wine.
But they go wrong by the reason of wine, they fall and stagger because of strong drink. Yea even the priests and prophets themselves go amiss, they are drunken with wine, and weak brained through strong drink. They fail in prophesying, and stumble in judgment. For all tables are so full of vomit and filthiness, that no place is clean.
Damascus also used merchandises with thee, in the best wine and white wool: because thy occupying was so great, and thy wares so many.
Thus sayeth the LORD, 'like as a herdsman taketh two legs or a piece of an ear out of the lion's mouth: Even so the children of Israel that dwell in Samaria, having their couches in the corner, and the beds at Damascus, shall be plucked away.
O hear this word, ye fat cows, that be upon the hill of Samaria; yea, that do poor men wrong, and oppress the needy; yea, that say to your lords, 'Bring hither, let us drink.'
O Woe be to the proud wealthy in Zion, to such as think them so sure upon the mount of Samaria: which hold themselves for the best of the world, and rule the house of Israel, even as they list. Go unto Calneh, and see: and from thence get you to Hamath the great city, and so go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better at ease than these kingdoms, or the border of their land wider than yours? read more. Ye are taken out for the evil day, even ye that sit in the stole of willfulness; Ye that lie upon beds of ivory, and use your wantonness upon your couches; ye that eat the best lambs of the flock, and the fattest calves of the drove;
Ye that lie upon beds of ivory, and use your wantonness upon your couches; ye that eat the best lambs of the flock, and the fattest calves of the drove; ye that sing to the lute, and in playing of instruments compare yourselves unto David; read more. ye that drink wine out of goblets, and anoint yourselves with the best oil: but no man is sorry for Joseph's hurt.
ye that drink wine out of goblets, and anoint yourselves with the best oil: but no man is sorry for Joseph's hurt.
And took the seven loaves, and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
and sent forth his servants, to call them that were bid to the wedding: and they would not come. Again he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner, mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage.'
Again he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner, mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage.'
and love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues,
He answered and said, "He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
And the Pharisees came together unto him, and divers of the scribes which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw certain of his disciples eat bread with common hands, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they complained. read more. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands often, eat not; observing the traditions of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash themselves they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have taken upon them to observe, as the washing of cups and cruses, and of brazen vessels, and of tables.
And when they come from the market, except they wash themselves they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have taken upon them to observe, as the washing of cups and cruses, and of brazen vessels, and of tables. Then asked him the Pharisees and scribes, "Why walk not thy disciples according to the traditions of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?" read more. He answered and said unto them, "Well prophesied hath Isaiah of you hypocrites as it is written, 'This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.' In vain they worship me, teaching doctrines which are nothing but the commandments of men, for ye lay the commandment of God apart, and ye observe the traditions of men as the washing of cruses and of cups, and many other such like things ye do." And he said unto them, "Well, ye cast aside the commandment of God, to maintain your own traditions. For Moses said, 'Honour thy father and thy mother,' and, 'Whosoever curseth father or mother, let him die for it.' But ye say, 'A man shall say to his father or mother, Corban; which is, that thou desirest of me, to help thee with, is given to God.' And so ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother, making the word of God of none effect through your own traditions which ye have ordained. And many such things ye do."
and the chief seats in the synagogues, and to sit in the uppermost rooms at feasts,
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." read more. 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.
And Martha was cumbered about much serving, and stood and said, "Master, dost thou not care, that my sister hath left me to minister alone? Bid her therefore, that she help me."
"When thou art bidden to a wedding of any man, sit not down in the highest room, lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him,
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 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. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind,
And he said unto them, "Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast." And they bare it.
And Jesus took the bread, and gave thanks, and gave to the disciples; and his disciples, to them that were set down. And likewise of the fishes, as much as they would.
There they made him a supper, and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
"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.
There was one of his disciples which leaned on Jesus' bosom, whom Jesus loved. To him beckoned Simon Peter that he should ask who it was of whom he spake. read more. He then, as he leaned on Jesus' breast, said unto him, "Lord who is it?" Jesus answered, "He it is to whom I give a sop, when I have dipped it." And he wet a sop, and gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon's son.
And when he had thus spoken he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and brake it, and began to eat.
Let us walk honestly as it were in the daylight: not in eating and drinking: neither in chambering and wantonness: neither in strife and envying:
envying, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, and such like. Of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which commit such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess: but be fulfilled with the spirit,
forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with giving thanks, of them which believe, and know the truth. For all the creatures of God are good: and nothing to be refused, if it be 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 Abraham went a pace into his tent unto Sara, and said, Make ready at once three pecks of fine meal; knead it, and make cakes."
Jacob sod pottage, and Esau came from the field and was fainty,
Jacob sod pottage, and Esau came from the field and was fainty,
get thee to the flock, and bring me thence two good kids, and I will make meat of them for thy father, such as he loveth.
And they sat them down to eat bread. And as they lift up their eyes and looked about, there came a company of Ishmaelites from Gilead, and their camels laden with spicery, balm, and myrrh, and were going down into Egypt.
And they brought rewards unto them from before him: but Benjamin's part was five times so much as any of theirs. And they ate and they drank, and were drunk with him.
See that ye eat not thereof sodden in water, but roast with fire: both head, feet, and purtenance together.
And the house of Israel called it Manna. And it was like unto Coriander seed and white, and the taste of it was like unto wafers made with honey.
and unleavened bread and cakes of sweet bread tempered with oil and wafers of sweet bread anointed with oil - of wheaten flour shalt thou make them -
and a simnel of bread and a cake of oiled bread and a wafer out of the basket of sweet bread that is before the LORD,
Then take the ram that is the full offering and seethe his flesh in a holy place.
If any man bring a meat offering that is baken in the oven, let him bring sweet cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
and the earthen pot that it is sodden in shall be broken. If it be sodden in brass, then the pot shall be scoured and plunged in the water.
Then Moses said unto Aaron and his sons, "Boil the flesh in the door of the tabernacle of witness, and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of fullofferings, as the Lord commanded saying, 'Aaron and his sons shall eat it':
And the people went about and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars and boke it in pans and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like unto the taste of an oilcake.
And Gideon went and made ready a kid, and sweet cakes of an Ephah of flour, and put the flesh in a basket and the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak and presented it.
And Samson said unto them, "I will put forth a riddle unto you. And if you can declare it within seven days of the feast and find it out, I will give you thirty shirts and thirty changes of garments:
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.
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.
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.
whensoever any man offered any offerings, the priest's lad came, while the flesh was in seething, and a flesh hook with three teeth in his hand;
whensoever any man offered any offerings, the priest's lad came, while the flesh was in seething, and a flesh hook with three teeth in his hand;
And he will take your daughters and make them the dressers of his ointments, and his cooks and bakers.
When ye be come into the city, so shall you find him, yer he go up to the hill to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he must bless the offering. And then eat they that be bidden to the feast. Now therefore get you up for even now shall ye find him."
Then said Samuel unto the cook, "Bring forth the portion which I gave thee, and of which I said, 'Keep it with thee.'"
Then said Samuel unto the cook, "Bring forth the portion which I gave thee, and of which I said, 'Keep it with thee.'"
And the king sat him down after the old manner, in his seat by the wall. And Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the standing of his servitors and their apparel, and his butlers and his sacrifice that he offered in the house of the LORD, she was astonished.
and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the standing of his servitors and their apparel, and his butlers and his sacrifice that he offered in the house of the LORD, she was astonished.
And as they sat at the table, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him again.
And she answered, "As surely as the LORD thy God liveth, I have no bread, but even a handful of meal in a pitcher, and a little oil in a cruse. And see, I have gathered a few sticks for to go and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it and then die."
And he arose and did eat and drink and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights, unto Horeb the mount of God,
When Elisha was come to Gilgal again, there was a dearth in the land, and the children of the prophets dwelt with him. Then he said to his servant, "Put on a great pot, and make pottage for the children of the prophets."
And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were in the castle of Susa, both unto great and small, seven days long in the court of the garden by the king's palace:
Doth the wild ass roar when he hath grass? Or crieth the ox, when he hath fodder enough?
Thou preparest a table before me against mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil, and fillest my cup full.
A slothful body shutteth his hand into his bosom; so that he cannot put it to his mouth.
When thou sittest at the table to eat with a lord, order thyself mannerly with the things that are set before thee.
The slothful body thrusteth his hand into his bosom, and it grieveth him to put it again to his mouth.
Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head want none ointment.
Woe be unto thee, O thou realm and land, whose king is but a child, and whose princes are early at their banquets.
And before the sons of the kindred of the Rechabites, I set pots full of wine, and cups, and said unto them, "Drink wine."
Thus wast thou decked with silver and gold, and thy raiment was of fine white silk, of needle work and divers colors. Thou didst eat nothing but simnels, honey and oil: marvelous goodly wast thou, and beautiful, yea even a very Queen wast thou.
My meat which I gave thee, as simnels, oil and honey to feed thee withal, that hast thou set before them, for a sweet savour. And this came also to pass, sayeth the LORD God.
Thou sattest upon a goodly bed, and a table spread before thee: whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil.
Show that obstinate household a parable, and speak unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Get thee a pot, set it on, and pour water into it:
Then said he unto me, "This is the kitchen, where the ministers of the house shall seethe the slain offerings of the people."
Thus sayeth the LORD, 'like as a herdsman taketh two legs or a piece of an ear out of the lion's mouth: Even so the children of Israel that dwell in Samaria, having their couches in the corner, and the beds at Damascus, shall be plucked away.
Ye that lie upon beds of ivory, and use your wantonness upon your couches; ye that eat the best lambs of the flock, and the fattest calves of the drove;
As for me, I am full of strength, and of the spirit of the LORD; full of judgment and boldness, to show the house of Jacob their wickedness, and the house of Israel their sin.
And she, being informed of her mother before, said, "Give me here John Baptist's head in a platter."
and his head was brought in a platter, and given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother.
And took the seven loaves, and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
and sent forth his servants, to call them that were bid to the wedding: and they would not come. Again he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner, mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage.'
Again he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner, mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage.'
Then the King came in, to visit the guests, and spied there a man which had not on a wedding garment,
and love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues,
He answered and said, "He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
He answered and said, "He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, "Is it I, master?" He said unto him, "Thou hast said."
And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever forsook her by and by: And she ministered unto them.
For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands often, eat not; observing the traditions of the elders.
He answered, and said unto them, "It is one of the twelve and the same dippeth with me in the platter.
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.
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.
And Martha was cumbered about much serving, and stood and said, "Master, dost thou not care, that my sister hath left me to minister alone? Bid her therefore, that she help me."
When the Pharisee saw that, he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said to him, "Now do ye, O Pharisees, make clean the outside of the cup, and of the platter: but your inward parts are full of ravening and wickedness.
and sent his servant at supper time, to say to them that were bidden, come: for all things are now ready.
and sent his servant at supper time, to say to them that were bidden, come: for all things are now ready.
The elder brother was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard minstrelsy, and dancing,
Who is it, if he had a servant a plowing, or feeding cattle, that would say unto him when he were come from the field, 'Go quickly and sit down to meat.'
His mother said unto the ministers, "Whatsoever he sayeth unto you, do it." And there were standing there, six waterpots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
And he said unto them, "Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast." And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was turned unto wine, and knew not whence it was - But the ministers which drew the water knew - He called the bridegroom,
There was one of his disciples which leaned on Jesus' bosom, whom Jesus loved.
Jesus answered, "He it is to whom I give a sop, when I have dipped it." And he wet a sop, and gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon's son.
Jesus said unto them, "Come and dine." And none of the disciples durst ask him, "What art thou?" For they knew that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took bread, and gave them, and fish likewise.
When they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon the son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" He said unto him, "Yea Lord, thou knowest, that I love thee." He said unto him, "Feed my lambs."
And when he had thus spoken he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and brake 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
And Jacob said unto his father, "I am Esau, thy eldest son. I have done according as thou baddest me: up and sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me."
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."
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 sat before him; the eldest according unto his age, and the youngest according unto his youth. And the men marveled among themselves. And they brought rewards unto them from before him: but Benjamin's part was five times so much as any of theirs. And they ate and they drank, and were drunk with him.
And they brought rewards unto them from before him: but Benjamin's part was five times so much as any of theirs. And they ate and they drank, and were drunk with him.
When thou hast eaten therefore and filled thyself, then bless the LORD for the good land which he hath given thee.
And Samson said unto them, "I will put forth a riddle unto you. And if you can declare it within seven days of the feast and find it out, I will give you thirty shirts and thirty changes of garments:
And they sat down and did eat and drink both of them together. Then said the damsel's father unto the man, "Go to, I pray thee, and tarry all night and let thine heart be merry."
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.
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.
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.
When ye be come into the city, so shall you find him, yer he go up to the hill to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he must bless the offering. And then eat they that be bidden to the feast. Now therefore get you up for even now shall ye find him."
And the cook took up the shoulder and brought it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Behold, that which is left: put it before thee and eat, for I kept it for thee of purpose, when I called the people." And so Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
I am this day four score year old: and therefore can not discern savoury from unsavoury, neither hath thy servant pleasure in that he eateth or drinketh: nor yet delectation in the songs of men or women. It is no need that thy servant be a burden unto my lord the king:
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and servants. And the mighty men of Persia and Media, the captains also, and rulers of his countries, were before him; and he showed the riches and glory of his kingdom, and the glorious worship of his greatness, many days long, even a hundred and fourscore days.
if I have found grace in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to give me my petition, and to fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and so will I do tomorrow as the king hath said."
While they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and caused Haman to make haste to come unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Thou preparest a table before me against mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil, and fillest my cup full.
Better is a mess of pottage with love; than a fat ox with evil will.
Woe be to the crown of pride, even to the drunken people of Ephraim, whose great pomp is as a flower that fadeth away upon the head of the valley of such as be in wealth, and are overladen with wine.
and sent forth his servants, to call them that were bid to the wedding: and they would not come. Again he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner, mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage.'
Then the King came in, to visit the guests, and spied there a man which had not on a wedding garment,
He answered and said, "He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
and the chief seats in the synagogues, and to sit in the uppermost rooms at feasts,
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.
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.
And he said unto them, "Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast." And they bare it.
Then took Mary a pound of ointment called nard, perfect and precious, and anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped his feet with her hair, and all the house was filled of the savour of the ointment.
There was one of his disciples which leaned on Jesus' bosom, whom Jesus loved.
Jesus answered, "He it is to whom I give a sop, when I have dipped it." And he wet a sop, and gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon's son.
Jesus said unto them, "Come and dine." And none of the disciples durst ask him, "What art thou?" For they knew that it was the Lord.
Peter turned about, and saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, "Lord which is he that shall betray thee?"