Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of "dinner" as understood in contemporary culture did not exist in the same form. Meals were significant social and religious events, often reflecting one's status and hospitality. The Bible provides various insights into the customs and significance of meals, including what might be considered "dinner."
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, meals were integral to daily life and religious observance. The Hebrew word often translated as "meal" or "feast" is "mishteh," which can refer to a banquet or a drinking feast. Meals were occasions for fellowship, covenant-making, and celebration. For example, in
Genesis 18:1-8, Abraham prepares a meal for the three visitors, demonstrating hospitality and reverence. The Passover meal, as described in
Exodus 12, is another significant example, serving as a memorial of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, meals continue to hold social and spiritual importance. Jesus frequently used meals as opportunities for teaching and fellowship. The Last Supper, described in the Synoptic Gospels (e.g.,
Matthew 26:26-29), is a pivotal event where Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, a sacrament commemorating His sacrifice.
The term "dinner" is specifically mentioned in the parable of the Great Banquet in
Luke 14:12-24. Jesus uses the setting of a dinner to teach about humility and the kingdom of God. In
Luke 14:12 , Jesus advises, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid."
Cultural and Social AspectsMeals in biblical times were typically eaten in a reclining position, especially during formal occasions. The host's role was crucial, as hospitality was a highly valued virtue. Sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and acceptance, as seen in Jesus' interactions with tax collectors and sinners (e.g.,
Matthew 9:10-13).
The early Christian community also placed importance on communal meals, as seen in
Acts 2:46 : "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart." This practice emphasized unity and fellowship among believers.
Symbolism and Spiritual LessonsMeals in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings. The Messianic Banquet, a future eschatological feast, is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, symbolizing the ultimate fellowship with God (
Isaiah 25:6-9). Jesus' parables frequently use the imagery of a banquet to illustrate the kingdom of God, highlighting themes of invitation, acceptance, and rejection.
In
Revelation 3:20 , Jesus extends a personal invitation: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." This verse underscores the intimate fellowship offered by Christ to believers.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not explicitly define "dinner" as a distinct meal, the concept of shared meals is deeply woven into the fabric of biblical narrative and theology. Meals serve as a backdrop for divine encounters, teachings, and expressions of community, reflecting the broader spiritual truths of hospitality, fellowship, and the kingdom of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The principal meal of the day, eaten by most people about midday, but by many (especially in cities) at a later hour.
2. (n.) An entertainment; a feast.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DINNERdin'-er (ariston;Matthew 22:4Luke 11:38 (the Revised Version, margin "breakfast");Luke 14:12; compareRuth 2:14John 21:13): In oriental as in classical lands it was customary, in ancient times, as now, to have but two meals in the day, and the evidence, including that of Josephus, goes to show that the second or evening meal was the principal one. The "morning morsel," as the is Talmud calls it, was in no sense a "meal." The peasant or artisan, before beginning work, might "break (his) fast" (John 21:12, 15) by taking a bit of barley bread with some simple relish, but to "eat (a full meal) in the morning" was a reproach (Ecclesiastes 10:16). The full meal was not to be taken until a little before or after sunset, when the laborers had come in from their work (Luke 17:7; compare the "supper time" ofLuke 14:17). The noon meal, taken at an hour when climatic conditions called for rest from exertion (the ariston of the Greeks, rendered "dinner" in English Versions of the Bible,Matthew 22:4Luke 11:38, the Revised Version, margin "breakfast"), was generally very simple, of bread soaked in light wine with a handful of parched corn (Ruth 2:14), or of "pottage and bread broken into a bowl" (Bel and the Dragon 33), or of bread and broiled fish (John 21:13). Many, when on journey especially, content with one meal a day, taken after sunset. In general, eating at other times casual and informal; evening is the time for the formal meal, or feast. SeeMEALS.
George B. Eager
Greek
1173. deipnon --dinner, supper...dinner, supper. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: deipnon Phonetic Spelling:
(dipe'-non) Short Definition: a
dinner, an afternoon or evening meal
...712. ariston -- breakfast,dinner
... breakfast,dinner. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ariston Phonetic
Spelling: (ar'-is-ton) Short Definition: breakfast or a mid-day meal Definition...
345. anakeimai -- to be laid up, to recline
... recline. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anakeimai Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ak-i'-mahee) Short Definition: I recline, especially at adinner-table Definition...
755. architriklinos -- the superintendent of a banquet
... architriklinos Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khee-tree'-klee-nos) Short Definition: master
of the feast Definition: master of ceremonies at adinner, master of the...
377. anapipto -- to fall back
... anapipto Phonetic Spelling: (an-ap-ip'-to) Short Definition: I lie down, recline,
fall back upon Definition: I lie down, recline (at adinner-table), fall back...
511. anoteros -- higher
... ter-os) Short Definition: higher, to a more honorable place, previously, above
Definition: higher, to a more honorable place (at thedinner table); previously...
4873. sunanakeimai -- to recline with (at table)
... Word Origin from sun and anakeimai Definition to recline with (at table) NASB Word
Usage dining (2),dinner guests (2), reclining (2), table (1)....
4411. protoklisia -- the chief place (at the table)
... From protos and klisia; a reclining first (in the place of honor) at the
dinner-bed, ie Preeminence at meals -- chief (highest, uppermost) room....
Strong's Hebrew
737. aruchah -- a meal, allowance... allowance, diet,
dinner, victuals. Feminine passive participle of 'arach (in the
sense of appointing); a ration of food -- allowance, diet,
dinner, victuals.
...Library
Meditations BeforeDinner and Supper.
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. Meditations beforeDinner and Supper. Meditate
that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if...
Scientific Education: Notes of an After-Dinner Speech.
... IV. SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION: NOTES OF AN AFTER-DINNER SPEECH. [MR. THACKERAY,
talking of after-dinner speeches, has lamented that "one...
Therefore, after Mass, the Aforesaid Squire Invited Him toDinner....
... Therefore, after mass, the aforesaid squire invited him todinner?... But he kept such
perfect silence atdinner that not a word proceeded from his mouth....
Of the Days on Which, when Supper is Provided for the Brethren, a...
... Chapter XII. Of the days on which, when supper is provided for the brethren, a Psalm
is not said as they assemble for the meals as is usual atdinner....
John Chapter xxi. 12-19.
... 2. "And Jesus cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise." We
are likewise told here, you see, on what they dined; and of thisdinner we also...
"We Found Another Equally Remarkable Man Living in a Small Hut...
... Concerning him we were told that a she-wolf was accustomed to stand near him at
dinner; and that the beast could by no means be easily deceived so as to fail...
A Break to Canada
... When the bugle sounded at seven o'clock fordinner, we were in the midst
of an argument. The Adjutant declared that she must go...
The Right to My Own Time
... You never know, but we ought to be home in plenty of time fordinner.".... "Who could
think of such a thing! Of course you'll stay fordinner with me!...
Lives of Faith and Trust
... of living: "Greater and more manifest nearness of the Lord's presence I have never
had, than when after breakfast, there were no means fordinner, and then the...
The Noviceship
... There surely would be one or more visits to the chapel. When the hour fordinner
came, Stanislaus probably served at table, taking his own meal later....
Thesaurus
Dinner (23 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) An entertainment; a feast. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DINNER.
... See
MEALS. George B. Eager. Multi-Version Concordance
Dinner (23 Occurrences).
...Dinner-time (1 Occurrence)
Dinner-time.Dinner,Dinner-time. Dionysia . Multi-Version Concordance
Dinner-time (1 Occurrence). Luke 14:17 Atdinner...
Banquet (58 Occurrences)
... 3. A Distinction Giving Rise to a Question: (1) In Matthew 22:4, "I have made ready
mydinner," "dinner" in Greek is ariston (compare Luke 11:38)....
Guests (43 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of
hisdinner guests, he didn't wish to refuse her. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)....
Wait (223 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To cause to wait; to defer; to postpone; -- said of a meal; as, to wait
dinner. 7. (n.) The act of waiting; a delay; a halt. 8. (vi) Ambush....
Luncheon (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A lump of food. 2. (n.) A portion of food taken at any time except at a
regular meal; an informal or light repast, as between breakfast anddinner....
Invite (20 Occurrences)
... bid; to summon; to ask to do some act, or go to some place; esp., to ask to an
entertainment or visit; to request the company of; as, to invite todinner, or a...
Invited (49 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 22:4 Again he sent out other servants,
saying,'Tell those who are invited, "Behold, I have made ready mydinner....
Fattened (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:4 Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Say to those who have been
called: Lo, mydinner I prepared, my oxen and the fatlings have been killed...
Finished (157 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:8 and will not rather say to him, 'Get mydinner ready, make yourself tidy,
and wait upon me till I have finished mydinner, and then you shall have...
Resources
How do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Martha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is corporate election? | GotQuestions.orgDinner: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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