Thematic Bible: Entertainments


Thematic Bible



Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh. Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s tabernacle. Verse ConceptsDoorpostsHigh Priest, In OtPeople Sitting DownThe Temple At Shilohfinishing

Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. So they ate a meal and spent the night on the mountain. Verse ConceptsFeasting On Special OccasionsFeastingInvitationsEating Before GodStaying Temporarily

You are to bring there your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tenths and personal contributions, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. You will eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice with your household in everything you do, because the Lord your God has blessed you.

Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he always gave portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to each of her sons and daughters. But he gave a double portion to Hannah, for he loved her even though the Lord had kept her from conceiving.


Then he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired sheepshearers. Will the king and his servants please come with your servant?” Verse ConceptsSheep Shearing

“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for them.”

Be silent in the presence of the Lord God,
for the Day of the Lord is near.
Indeed, the Lord has prepared a sacrifice;
He has consecrated His guests.
Verse ConceptsHoliness, Believers' Growth InRespect, For God's CharacterSpeech, Power And Significance OfCurbing SpeechThe Fact Of That DayNear The Time Generally

Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah, the servants of the king, Verse ConceptsSheep

Now look, Adonijah has become king. And, my lord king, you didn't know [it]. He has lavishly sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep. He invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but he did not invite your servant Solomon.

They were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their relatives had provided for them. In addition, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen-abundant provisions of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine and oil, oxen, and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.

Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. Verse ConceptsAblutionFoot washingFeet WashingPurity, Nature OfWaterTreesHospitalityTravellersMan Providing WaterClean FeetCare Of Feet

The steward brought the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet, and got feed for their donkeys. Verse ConceptsAblutionGuestsWaterFeet WashingFeeding AnimalsClean Feet

and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil. Verse ConceptsKissing ChristAffection, ExpressingAnointing With OilHairsKissingPainWeepingMealsMoist ThingsPeople Drying Things UpClean FeetCare Of FeetOther References To HairOthers Mourning

Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair. Verse ConceptsFoot washingFeetFeet WashingGuestsWaterMealsDiscourtesyMan Providing WaterMoist ThingsPeople Drying Things UpClean FeetCare Of FeetOther References To Hair

Two years later, Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. Verse ConceptsSheep ShearingTwo Years

A man in Maon had a business in Carmel; he was a very rich man with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats and was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Verse ConceptsGoatsSheepShepherds, As OccupationsSheep ShearingA Thousand AnimalsThree Thousand And UpWealthy People

Then Abigail went to Nabal, and there he was in his house, holding a feast fit for a king. Nabal was in a good mood and very drunk, so she didn’t say anything to him until morning light. Verse ConceptsDawnGluttonyFeastingExcessdrinking, abstention fromBanquets, ActivitiesDrunkenness, Examples OfMerrinessRevelryDrunk IndividualsThose Who Did Not Tell


Portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, and Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of theirs. They drank, and they got intoxicated with Joseph. Verse ConceptsBanquets, Examples OfTables

Then Samuel said to the cook, "Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside." The cook picked up the thigh and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, "Notice that the reserved piece is set before you. Eat it because it was saved for you for this solemn event at the time I said, 'I've invited the people.' " So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

Then he said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king followed him. Verse ConceptsGiftsFeet WashingClean FeetSending people home

This explains why the rural Jews who live in villages observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a time of rejoicing and feasting. It is a holiday when they send gifts to one another. Verse ConceptsExcitementMonth 12The CountrysidePeople Providing Food

Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.” Verse ConceptsFeastingBeing BlessedLeisure, And PastimesLove FeastPromised JoyEating Before GodSitting In DejectionDo Not MournGod Our StrengthAlcoholic BeveragesJoyStrength In Hard TimesHope And StrengthCelebrationHaving A Good DayBeing Happy And Enjoying Lifestrenghcelebratingfriendliness

They were seated before him in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest. The men looked at each other in astonishment. Verse ConceptsBanquets, CharaceristicsFirstbornBrothersBirthrights

Samuel took Saul and his attendant, brought them to the banquet hall, and gave them a place at the head of the 30 or so men who had been invited. Verse ConceptsThirtyGreat Individuals

“But when you are invited, go and recline in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ You will then be honored in the presence of all the other guests. Verse ConceptsPresumptionSeatsMoving UpwardsReclining To EatBe Humble!Guest RoomsBeing HumbleMoving OnMoving To A New PlaceWaiting Till Marriageovereating

Again, he sent out other slaves, and said, ‘Tell those who are invited: Look, I’ve prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ Verse ConceptsBanquets, ActivitiesReadinessKilling Domesticated AnimalsGod Sends ProphetsPreparing Food

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his steward, “Take the men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they will eat with me at noon.” Verse ConceptsHourMealsNoonStewardshipDinnerKilling Domesticated AnimalsSeeing People

He also said to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. Verse ConceptsSocial FellowshipSeparating From RelativesGood ReboundingSettling AccountsWealthy PeopleGiving Without Expecting ReturnFriendsFamily And FriendsGiving Backfriendliness


Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man could not bring himself to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest. Verse Conceptsequipping, physicalLambsUnkindnessHerdsTravellersPeople UnwillingTaking AnimalsThose Who Provided A Meal

But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” Verse ConceptsBusynessCriticism, against believersImpatienceDiscourtesyActing AloneServing ChristComplaintsServingSiblingsWorryingServing GodDoing The Right ThingServing The Churchluckdistractionscookinghelping

Then Abraham took curds and milk, and the calf that he had prepared, and set them before the men. He served them as they ate under the tree. Verse ConceptsButterMilkDairyCompanionshipPeople EatingRich Food

So they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Verse ConceptsSabbath, In NtTablesSocial FellowshipDinnerReclining To EatThose Who Provided A MealrelaxinglazarusJesus Eating

King Belshazzar held a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles and drank wine in their presence. Verse ConceptsBanquets, ReasonsGluttonyFeastingAlcoholCelebrationsDinnerA Thousand PeopleDrinking Winethe anniversary Feasts

The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned. Verse ConceptsFeastingBanquets, Events CelebratedWeaningGrowing Upsarah

Then Levi hosted a grand banquet for Him at his house. Now there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were guests with them. Verse ConceptsCrowdsFeastingevangelism, kinds ofCelebrationsBanquets, Examples OfGuestsHospitality, Examples OfLargenessTax CollectorsDinnerReceiving Jesus As A Guest

So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I’m supposed to sit down and eat with the king. Instead, let me go, and I’ll hide in the field until the third night. Verse ConceptsNew Moon FestivalThe Third Day Of The WeekMan's Action TomorrowHiding From People

So David hid in the field. At the New Moon, the king sat down to eat the meal. He sat at his usual place on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat facing him and Abner took his place beside Saul, but David's place was empty. Saul did not say anything that day because he thought, "Something unexpected has happened; he must be ceremonially unclean-yes, that's it, he is unclean."

They improvise songs to the sound of the harp
and invent their own musical instruments like David.
Verse ConceptsAmusementsInventionsRecreationWriting SongsComposersHarpsinstruments

When Herodias’s own daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.” Verse ConceptsdanceBanquets, ActivitiesLeisure, And PastimesTemptressesPeople Promising

“Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. Verse ConceptsdanceBanquets, ActivitiesMealsSocial FellowshipMusic To Celebrate

Then the Levite, who has no portion or inheritance among you, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come, eat, and be satisfied. And the Lord your God will bless you in all the work of your hands that you do. Verse ConceptsPoverty, Attitudes TowardsSatisfactionSaints, Care For The PoorWidows, Should BeLoving ForeignersGod Will BlessNo Earthly InheritancePeople Helping Orphansfriendliness


So he prepared a banquet for them, and they ate and drank. Verse ConceptsSealing A CovenantBanquets, Examples OfEating And Drinkinghomework

Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. So they ate a meal and spent the night on the mountain. Verse ConceptsFeasting On Special OccasionsFeastingInvitationsEating Before GodStaying Temporarily

Then Abigail went to Nabal, and there he was in his house, holding a feast fit for a king. Nabal was in a good mood and very drunk, so she didn’t say anything to him until morning light. Verse ConceptsDawnGluttonyFeastingExcessdrinking, abstention fromBanquets, ActivitiesDrunkenness, Examples OfMerrinessRevelryDrunk IndividualsThose Who Did Not Tell

So they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines drank from them. They drank the wine and praised their gods made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

In every province and every city, wherever the king’s command and his law reached, joy and rejoicing took place among the Jews. There was a celebration and a holiday. And many of the ethnic groups of the land professed themselves to be Jews because fear of the Jews had overcome them. Verse ConceptsFearing Other PeopleRejoicing In God's Works

[They fought] on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar and rested on the fourteenth, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing. But the Jews in Susa had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. They rested on the fifteenth day of the month, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing. This explains why the rural Jews who live in villages observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as [a time of] rejoicing and feasting. It is a holiday when they send gifts to one another.

Portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, and Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of theirs. They drank, and they got intoxicated with Joseph. Verse ConceptsBanquets, Examples OfTables

Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he always gave portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to each of her sons and daughters.

At the time of the banquet, he sent his slave to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, because everything is now ready.’ Verse ConceptsPreparing Foodeverything

Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants; she calls out from the highest points of the city: read more.
"Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!" To the one who lacks sense, she says, "Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed.

They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, Verse ConceptsBanquets, CharaceristicsMealsLoving Other ThingsSeeking Honourimportance

He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noticed how they would choose the best places for themselves: "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don't recline at the best place, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host.

Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah, the servants of the king, Verse ConceptsSheep

He also said to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. Verse ConceptsSocial FellowshipSeparating From RelativesGood ReboundingSettling AccountsWealthy PeopleGiving Without Expecting ReturnFriendsFamily And FriendsGiving Backfriendliness


“Do whatever He tells you,” His mother told the servants. Verse ConceptsServants Of PeoplemomsWaiting Till Marriage

If you go quickly, you can catch up with him before he goes to the high place to eat. The people won’t eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests can eat. Go up immediately—you can find him now.” Verse ConceptsPeople EatingPeople Who Blessed Others

Then He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks, broke the loaves, and kept on giving them to His disciples to set before the people. So they served the loaves to the crowd. Verse ConceptsThankfulnessThanksgivingCrowds Around JesusSeven ThingsReclining To EatThe Disciples ActionsBreaking Of BreadTable Grace

Now isn't Boaz our relative? Haven't you been working with his young women? This evening he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on [perfumed] oil, and wear your [best] clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but don't let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, notice the place where he's lying, go in and uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will explain to you what you should do." read more.
So [Ruth] said to her, "I will do everything you say." She went down [to] the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law had instructed her. After Boaz ate, drank, and was in good spirits, he went to lie down at the end of the pile of barley. Then she went in secretly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

You have enlarged the nation
and increased its joy.
The people have rejoiced before You
as they rejoice at harvest time
and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.
Verse ConceptsHarvestJoy, And Human ExperienceGod Multipling PeopleYou Will Rejoice In SalvationDividing The SpoilJoyjoyfulness

“But without exception they all began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.’ Verse ConceptsComplacencyBuying and sellingLove, Abuse OfReal EstateGuest Rooms

For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will enjoy my banquet!’” Verse ConceptsGuestsTasteReprobates

He also said to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. Verse ConceptsSocial FellowshipSeparating From RelativesGood ReboundingSettling AccountsWealthy PeopleGiving Without Expecting ReturnFriendsFamily And FriendsGiving Backfriendliness

So they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Verse ConceptsSabbath, In NtTablesSocial FellowshipDinnerReclining To EatThose Who Provided A MealrelaxinglazarusJesus Eating

You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil, but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Verse ConceptsAnointing With OilGuestsOintmentAnointed By PeopleCare Of FeetAnointing Oil


He also said to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. Verse ConceptsSocial FellowshipSeparating From RelativesGood ReboundingSettling AccountsWealthy PeopleGiving Without Expecting ReturnFriendsFamily And FriendsGiving Backfriendliness

His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them. Verse ConceptsFeastingBanquets, ActivitiesInvitationsLeisure, And PastimesAmusementsCelebrationcelebrating

So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, "Quick! Knead three measures of fine flour and make bread." Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd and got a tender, choice calf. He gave it to a young man, who hurried to prepare it.

So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him. Verse Conceptsequipping, physicalYokesFeeding GroupsFirewoodPeople Following PeopleFarmingbridges

Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room for Me to eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there."

He replied, “The one who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl—he will betray Me. Verse ConceptsJudas Betraying ChristDippingtraitors

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won't be able once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up for us!' He will answer you, 'I don't know you or where you're from.'

" 'Master,' the slave said, 'what you ordered has been done, and there's still room.' "Then the master told the slave, 'Go out into the highways and lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be filled.

The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned. Verse ConceptsFeastingBanquets, Events CelebratedWeaningGrowing Upsarah


At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet in the garden courtyard of the royal palace for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were present in the fortress of Susa. White and violet linen hangings were fastened with fine white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble columns. Gold and silver couches [were arranged] on a mosaic pavement of red feldspar, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve as much as each person wanted. Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women of King Ahasuerus' palace.

So they went out to the countryside and harvested grapes from their vineyards. They trampled the grapes and held a celebration. Then they went to the house of their god, and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech. Verse ConceptsGluttonyGrapesMerrinessRevelryTreading GrapesUngodly Cursing

Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah, the servants of the king, Verse ConceptsSheep

While drinking the wine, the king asked Esther, “Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be done.” Verse ConceptsAlcohol ConsumptionDrinking WineHalf Of Districts


Jesus replied, “He’s the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it.” When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. Verse ConceptsBetrayal, Of ChristDippingGiving Food And Drink

Then He said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the chief servant." And they did. When the chief servant tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from-though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom

and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve as much as each person wanted. Verse ConceptsAbstinenceAlcohol ConsumptionUnlimitednessNo Compulsion

After singing psalms, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Verse ConceptsSingingSongsChantingThose Singing Praise

Now an opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet for his nobles, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee. Verse ConceptsAmusementsCommanderBanquets, Events CelebratedBirthdaysBirthdays CelebratedDinnerRight Time For People

Then Levi hosted a grand banquet for Him at his house. Now there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were guests with them. Verse ConceptsCrowdsFeastingevangelism, kinds ofCelebrationsBanquets, Examples OfGuestsHospitality, Examples OfLargenessTax CollectorsDinnerReceiving Jesus As A Guest

You gave Me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in. Verse ConceptsKissing ChristMealsKissesCare Of Feet

So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I’m supposed to sit down and eat with the king. Instead, let me go, and I’ll hide in the field until the third night. Verse ConceptsNew Moon FestivalThe Third Day Of The WeekMan's Action TomorrowHiding From People

Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the New Moon; you’ll be missed because your seat will be empty. Verse ConceptsMan's Action TomorrowEmpty ThingsGone AwayMissing Someone

Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh. Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s tabernacle. Verse ConceptsDoorpostsHigh Priest, In OtPeople Sitting DownThe Temple At Shilohfinishing

Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he always gave portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to each of her sons and daughters.

M I have come to my garden—my sister, my bride.
I gather my myrrh with my spices.
I eat my honeycomb with my honey.
I drink my wine with my milk.


N Eat, friends!
Drink, be intoxicated with love!
Verse ConceptsNames And Titles For The ChurchNames And Titles For The ChristianHoneyEating And DrinkingLove And Wine

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.