Topical Encyclopedia Feasting in the Bible is a significant cultural and religious practice, often associated with celebration, worship, and community. It serves as a means of expressing joy, gratitude, and fellowship among God's people. Throughout the Scriptures, feasting is depicted in various contexts, from divine commandments to spontaneous celebrations.Old Testament Feasts In the Old Testament, God instituted several feasts for the Israelites, which were integral to their religious life and identity. These feasts were not only times of celebration but also served as reminders of God's providence and deliverance. 1. Passover (Pesach): The Passover feast commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian bondage. It is a time of remembrance and thanksgiving for God's protection and salvation. Exodus 12:14 states, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a permanent statute for the generations to come." 2. Feast of Unleavened Bread: Following Passover, this seven-day feast symbolizes the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt and the purity required of God's people. Leviticus 23:6-8 outlines its observance. 3. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot or Pentecost): Celebrated 50 days after Passover, this feast marks the end of the grain harvest and commemorates the giving of the Law at Sinai. Deuteronomy 16:10 instructs, "And you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with a freewill offering that you give in proportion to how the LORD your God has blessed you." 4. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): This feast celebrates the harvest and God's provision during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. Leviticus 23:42-43 commands, "You are to live in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must live in booths, so that your descendants may know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt." 5. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): While not a feast in the celebratory sense, this solemn day involves fasting and repentance, culminating in the high priest's atonement for the people's sins. Leviticus 23:27-28 describes its observance. Feasting in the New Testament In the New Testament, feasting continues to hold spiritual significance, often symbolizing the joy and fellowship found in Christ. 1. The Wedding at Cana: Jesus' first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding feast, underscores the joy and abundance of God's kingdom (John 2:1-11). This event highlights the importance of celebration and the transformative power of Christ. 2. The Last Supper: Jesus' final meal with His disciples, commemorated as the Lord's Supper or Communion, is a profound moment of fellowship and covenant. Luke 22:19-20 records, "And He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'" 3. Feasting in Parables: Jesus often used feasting imagery in His parables to illustrate the kingdom of God. The Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24) and the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) both depict feasts as symbols of divine grace and acceptance. 4. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb: Revelation 19:9 speaks of the ultimate feast, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, symbolizing the eternal union of Christ and His Church: "Then the angel told me to write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" Cultural and Spiritual Significance Feasting in the Bible is not merely about physical nourishment but is deeply intertwined with spiritual truths. It reflects God's provision, the joy of salvation, and the fellowship of believers. Feasting serves as a foretaste of the eternal joy and communion that awaits God's people in His kingdom. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Feast.Greek 2970. komos -- a village festival, revel ... a village festival, revel. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: komos Phonetic Spelling: (ko'-mos) Short Definition: a feasting, reveling Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2970.htm - 7k Strong's Hebrew 4960. mishteh -- a feast, drink... Origin from shathah Definition a feast, drink NASB Word Usage banquet (16), banquets (1), drank (2), drink (3), drinking (1), feast (15), feasting (7), where ... /hebrew/4960.htm - 6k 2077. zebach -- a sacrifice Library Feasting on the Sacrifice Of the Practice of Piety in Holy Feasting. Satan's Banquet But Whilst the King Has not that Most Blessed Light... The Story of Solomon and his Temple The Marriage of Cana Of the Mortification of Sensual Love to Meats, &C. ... A Kindness Received Should be Returned with a Freer Hand. ... Two Ways of Despising God's Feast The Meditation of the Lover in his Love: and the Forsaking of ... Thesaurus Feasting (39 Occurrences)...Feasting (39 Occurrences). Matthew 11:19 The Son of man has come feasting, and they say, See, a lover of food and wine, a friend of tax-farmers and sinners! ... /f/feasting.htm - 19k Gladness (83 Occurrences) Fourteenth (25 Occurrences) Rejoicing (90 Occurrences) Overflowing (54 Occurrences) Lover (55 Occurrences) Fasting (34 Occurrences) Thirteenth (12 Occurrences) Tax-farmers (14 Occurrences) Riot (14 Occurrences) Resources What should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Queen Vashti refuse to appear before Xerxes? | GotQuestions.org Is Christmas a pagan holiday? | GotQuestions.org Feasting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Feasting (39 Occurrences)Matthew 11:19 Matthew 24:38 Luke 7:34 Luke 12:45 Luke 17:27 Luke 17:28 1 Corinthians 10:7 Galatians 5:21 1 Peter 4:3 Jude 1:12 Deuteronomy 27:7 Deuteronomy 32:42 1 Samuel 25:36 1 Samuel 30:16 1 Kings 1:25 1 Kings 1:41 1 Chronicles 12:39 Esther 8:17 Esther 9:17 Esther 9:18 Esther 9:19 Esther 9:22 Job 1:5 Job 1:13 Job 1:18 Proverbs 17:1 Proverbs 23:21 Ecclesiastes 7:2 Ecclesiastes 10:16 Ecclesiastes 10:17 Isaiah 5:17 Isaiah 22:13 Isaiah 29:8 Jeremiah 16:8 Lamentations 4:5 Ezekiel 39:19 Amos 6:4 Amos 6:7 Zechariah 7:6 Subtopics Related Terms |