Entertainments, "feasts," were sometimes connected with a public festival ( Deuteronomy 16:11 Deuteronomy 16:14 ), and accompanied by offerings ( 1 Samuel 9:13 ), in token of alliances ( Genesis 26:30 ); sometimes in connection with domestic or social events, as at the weaning of children ( Genesis 21:8 ), at weddings ( Genesis 29:22 ; John 2:1 ), on birth-days ( Matthew 14:6 ), at the time of sheep-shearing ( 2 Samuel 13:23 ), and of vintage ( Judges 9:27 ), and at funerals ( 2 Samuel 3:35 ; Jeremiah 16:7 ).

The guests were invited by servants ( Proverbs 9:3 ; Matthew 22:3 ), who assigned them their respective places ( 1 Samuel 9:22 ; Luke 14:8 ; Mark 12:39 ). Like portions were sent by the master to each guest ( 1 Samuel 1:4 ; 2 Sam 6:19 ), except when special honour was intended, when the portion was increased ( Genesis 43:34 ).

The Israelites were forbidden to attend heathenish sacrificial entertainments ( Exodus 34:15 ), because these were in honour of false gods, and because at such feast they would be liable to partake of unclean flesh ( 1 Corinthians 10:28 ).

In the entertainments common in apostolic times among the Gentiles were frequent "revellings," against which Christians were warned ( Romans 13:13 ; Galatians 5:21 ; 1 Peter 4:3 ). (See BANQUET .)

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.