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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comFausset Bible Dictionary: Banquets
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Both social and religious. At the three great religious feasts, when all the males appeared before Jehovah, the family had its feast, of which the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow had their share (). Sacrifices were accompanied by a feast (; -25). The "lovefeasts" of the early Christians sprung from these sacrificial feasts; as the Lord's supper came from the Passover. The tithes and firstlings were to be eaten at the sanctuary, if not too far off (-18; -23). Males and females met together at feasts of old (). Vashti's separate Women's banquet was a Persian, not Jewish, custom (). In magnificent feasts, as at royal weddings, a general invitation was given; the accepters were summoned by a second message at the time of the feast (-3; ; Matthew 22).
The entertainer provided robes for the guests, to be worn in his honor and as a token of his regard, in Old Testament times the Israelites sat at table (); and in the order of their dignity or seniority (); which explains the point of Jesus' exhortation to take the lowest place (-10; ). The Persians reclined on couches (). So the Romans. From these the Jews adopted reclining. Thus, the sinful woman could come behind the conch where Jesus lay, and anoint His feet (-38); and Mary, sister of Lazarus (-3); and "John leaned on the Lord's bosom" at the last supper (; ). Amos reprobates the luxury (-6). Perfumes were freely used at rich feasts (; -8). A "governor of the feast" was appointed (-9).
The usual time was evening, to begin earlier was a mark of excess (; ). "Spiced wine" was often used (). Garlands or crowns of flowers on the head (). Music, vocal and instrumental (), and dancing (). Wedding feasts often lasted seven days (). Portions were sent from the entertainer to each guest, and a double or fivefold portion, or special part, to a distinguished guest (; -24; compare ; ). Portions direct from table were sent to poorer friends (; compare ; ; ). A kiss was the proper courtesy wherewith the heat received each guest; to omit it was to be wanting in kindliness (-5).
In the absence of modern knives, forks and spoons, they dipped their hands together in the same dish (; ; , for "bosom" translate dish). After dinner the hands were wiped in a cloth, after a servant had poured water on them (compare Elisha's office for Elijah, ), or were wiped on pieces of bread, which were then thrown to the household dogs (which illustrates ). A banquet is a frequent emblem of heavenly happiness (; ; ).
"To eat bread" includes drinking. So in the case of the Lord's supper (). So the cup is not expressly mentioned in the Passover supper in the Old Testament but ; imply the use of wine at it. In Eli's days drinking to excess even at the Lord's feasts was not uncommon (-15). Four cups of wine were mixed with water, blessed and passed round by the master of the feast at the Passover. In the heavenly Bridegroom's "banqueting house" (house of wine) is the church in its public ordinances for refreshing the soul, the ministry of the word, joint prayer, and the Lord's supper (compare ).