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 one of the pharisees asked Him to eat with him: and He went into the pharisee's house, and sat down. And behold a woman in the city, that was a sinner, when she knew that He was at table in the pharisee's house, read more. brought an alabaster-box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind Him, weeping, and washed his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. But when the pharisee that invited Him saw it, he said within himself, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what sort of a woman this is that toucheth Him; for she is a notorious sinner. And Jesus said unto him, Simon, I have something to say to thee: (and he replied, Master, say on.) A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed him five hundred denaries, and the other fifty: and they not being able to pay him, he freely forgave them both: tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? And Simon answered, I suppose he to whom he forgave most. And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged: and turning to the woman, He said to Simon, Dost thou see this woman? I came into thine house, and thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she has bathed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me not the respect of a kiss; but this woman, ever since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. Thou didst not anoint my head with common oil, but she hath anointed even my feet with sweet ointment. Wherefore, I tell thee, her sins though many are forgiven, for she loved much: but he to whom little is forgiven, loveth but little. And He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at table with Him, said within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? But 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 taking the seven loaves and the fishes, when He had given thanks, He brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
and sent his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: and they would not come. Then he sent other servants, saying, Tell them that are invited, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding.
Then he sent other servants, saying, Tell them that are invited, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding.
and love the uppermost places at feasts,
and He answered, he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, even he will betray me.
And there were gathered unto Him the pharisees, and some of the scribes, from Jerusalem; and when they saw some of his disciples eating with impure (that is, unwashed) hands, they found fault: read more. for the pharisees, and indeed all the Jews, do not eat till they have washed their hands thoroughly, observing the tradition of the ancients. And when they come from the market, they do not eat till they have washed. And there are many other things, which they have received to observe, as the washing of cups, and pots, and brass-vessels, and seats.
And when they come from the market, they do not eat till they have washed. And there are many other things, which they have received to observe, as the washing of cups, and pots, and brass-vessels, and seats. Then the pharisees and the scribes ask Him, Why do not thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but eat without washing their hands? read more. But He answered them, Well did Esaias prophesy concerning you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: and in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the injunctions of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye retain the tradition of men, as the washings of pots and cups, and many other such like things. And ye expressly annul the commandment of God, that ye may retain your own tradition; for Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, He that revileth father or mother, let him be put to death: but ye say, If a man tell his father or mother, That which thou mightest be profited by from me is Corban, (that is, a gift to the temple) it sufficeth: and so ye allow him to do nothing more for his father or his mother: making void the word of God by your tradition,. And many such like things ye do.
and the chief seats in the synagogues, and uppermost places at feasts;
brought an alabaster-box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind Him, weeping, and washed his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. But when the pharisee that invited Him saw it, he said within himself, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what sort of a woman this is that toucheth Him; for she is a notorious sinner. read more. And Jesus said unto him, Simon, I have something to say to thee: (and he replied, Master, say on.) A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed him five hundred denaries, and the other fifty: and they not being able to pay him, he freely forgave them both: tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? And Simon answered, I suppose he to whom he forgave most. And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged: and turning to the woman, He said to Simon, Dost thou see this woman? I came into thine house, and thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she has bathed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me not the respect of a kiss; but this woman, ever since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
But Martha, being perplexed about much serving, came to Him and said, Lord, dost thou not regard it, that my sister has left me to serve alone? speak to her therefore that she may help me.
When thou art invited by any one to a wedding, do not sit down in the uppermost place, least one more honorable than thou be invited by him;
He said also to him that had invited Him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, do not invite thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kindred, nor thy rich neighbors; least they invite thee again, and so a return be made thee.
He said also to him that had invited Him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, do not invite thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kindred, nor thy rich neighbors; least they invite thee again, and so a return be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and thou shalt be happy;
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and carry it to the master of the feast. And they carried it to him.
And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were sat down; and of the fishes likewise, as much as they would take.
Therefore they made Him a supper there, and Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of them that sat down with Him.
I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen: but have done it that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me, hath lift up his heel against me.
Now there was one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, sitting next Him. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him to ask, who it was concerning whom He spake. read more. And he, reclining on the breast of Jesus, saith unto Him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, It is he to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it: and He dipped in a sop and gave it to Judas the Iscariot the son of Simon.
And having spoken thus, he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and when he had broken it he began to eat.
Let us behave decently as being in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lasciviousness, not in strife and envying.
heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and the like: of which I forewarn you, as I have also told you before, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
And be not drunk with wine, in which there is riotous excess; but be filled with the Spirit:
and enjoining abstinence from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by those that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected, 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 she, being before instructed by her mother, said, Give me here in a dish the head of John the baptist:
and his head was brought in a dish, and given to the young princess, who carried it to her mother:
and taking the seven loaves and the fishes, when He had given thanks, He brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
and sent his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: and they would not come. Then he sent other servants, saying, Tell them that are invited, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding.
Then he sent other servants, saying, Tell them that are invited, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding.
But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man that had not put on a wedding-garment, and saith to him,
and love the uppermost places at feasts,
and He answered, he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, even he will betray me.
and He answered, he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, even he will betray me.
And Judas, who betrayed Him, answered and said, Master, is it I? and He said unto him, \i It is.
and He came to her, and taking her by the hand raised her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she waited upon them.
for the pharisees, and indeed all the Jews, do not eat till they have washed their hands thoroughly, observing the tradition of the ancients.
Is it I? And He said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that is now dipping with me in the dish.
brought an alabaster-box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind Him, weeping, and washed his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
and turning to the woman, He said to Simon, Dost thou see this woman? I came into thine house, and thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she has bathed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me not the respect of a kiss; but this woman, ever since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
But Martha, being perplexed about much serving, came to Him and said, Lord, dost thou not regard it, that my sister has left me to serve alone? speak to her therefore that she may help me.
And when the pharisee saw it he wondered that He did not wash first, before dinner. But the Lord said unto him, ye pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of rapine and wickedness.
and sent his servant at supper-time to say to them that were invited, Come, for all things are now ready.
and sent his servant at supper-time to say to them that were invited, Come, for all things are now ready.
But his elder son was out in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing:
But which of you having a servant plowing, or feeding cattle, will say to him, as soon as he comes in from the field, Come hither and sit down at table?
His mother saith to the servants, Whatsoever he ordereth you to do, do it. And there were six stone waterpots, placed according to the custom of purifying among the Jews, containing each about two or three firkins.
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and carry it to the master of the feast. And they carried it to him. And when the manager of the feast had tasted the water which was made wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the servants, that drew the water, knew,) he called the bride-groom,
Now there was one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, sitting next Him.
Jesus answered, It is he to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it: and He dipped in a sop and gave it to Judas the Iscariot the son of Simon.
Jesus saith unto them, Come, and dine. And none of the disciples presumed to ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus therefore cometh and taketh bread, and giveth it to them, and fish likewise.
Now when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, dost thou love me more than these? He saith unto Him, Yes, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
And having spoken thus, he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and when he had broken it he 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 sent his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: and they would not come. Then he sent other servants, saying, Tell them that are invited, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding.
But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man that had not put on a wedding-garment, and saith to him,
and He answered, he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, even he will betray me.
and the chief seats in the synagogues, and uppermost places at feasts;
and turning to the woman, He said to Simon, Dost thou see this woman? I came into thine house, and thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she has bathed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me not the respect of a kiss; but this woman, ever since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
He said also to him that had invited Him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, do not invite thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kindred, nor thy rich neighbors; least they invite thee again, and so a return be made thee.
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and carry it to the master of the feast. And they carried it to him.
And Mary taking a pound of ointment of spikenard of great value, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Now there was one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, sitting next Him.
Jesus answered, It is he to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it: and He dipped in a sop and gave it to Judas the Iscariot the son of Simon.
Jesus saith unto them, Come, and dine. And none of the disciples presumed to ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
And Peter turning about seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved, (and who leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, who is he that will betray Thee?) following them;