Banquet @ a feast provided for the entertainment of a company of guests Esther:5; 7; 1Peter:4:3); such as was provided for our Lord by his friends in Bethany Matthew:26:6; Mark:14:3; comp. John:12:2). These meals were in the days of Christ usually called "suppers," after the custom of the Romans, and were partaken of toward the close of the day. It was usual to send a second invitation Matthew:22:3; Luke:14:17) to those who had been already invited. When the whole company was assembled, the master of the house shut the door with his own hands Luke:13:25; Matthew:25:10). The guests were first refreshed with water and fragrant oil Luke:7:38; Mark:7:4). A less frequent custom was that of supplying each guest with a robe to be worn during the feast (Eccles. 9:8; Revelation:3:4-5; Matthew:22:11). At private banquets the master of the house presided; but on public occasions a "governor of the feast" was chosen John:2:8). The guests were placed in order according to seniority Genesis:43:33), or according to the rank they held Proverbs:25:6-7; Matthew:23:6; Luke:14:7). As spoons and knives and forks are a modern invention, and were altogether unknown in the East, the hands alone were necessarily used, and were dipped in the dish, which was common to two of the guests John:13:26). In the days of our Lord the guests reclined at table; but the ancient Israelites sat around low tables, cross-legged, like the modern Orientals. Guests were specially honoured when extra portions were set before them Genesis:43:34), and when their cup was filled with wine till it ran over Psalms:23:5). The hands of the guests were usually cleaned by being rubbed on bread, the crumbs of which fell to the ground, and were the portion for dogs Matthew:15:27; Luke:16:21). At the time of the three annual festivals at Jerusalem family banquets were common. To these the "widow, and the fatherless, and the stranger" were welcome Deuteronomy:16:11). Sacrifices also included a banquet Exodus:34:15; Judges:16:23). Birthday banquets are mentioned Genesis:40:20; Matthew:14:6). They were sometimes protracted, and attended with revelry and excess Genesis:21:8Genesis:29:22; 1Samuel:25:2-36; 2Samuel:13:23). Portions were sometimes sent from the table to poorer friends Nehemiah:8:10; Esther:9:19Esther:9:22). (See MEALS.)
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