Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5312 feasting
Taking part in festive meals that were often a feature of Israel's celebrations of religious festivals.
Feasting on special occasions
To mark a covenant
Genesis 31:54 The sacrifice and the meal were important elements in the covenant-making process. See also Genesis 26:28-31; Exodus 24:11; 1 Corinthians 11:25-26
Weddings
Judges 14:10 See also Genesis 29:22; Esther 2:18; Matthew 22:2; John 2:1-10; Revelation 19:9
Family celebrations
Genesis 21:8 See also Luke 15:23-24
National celebrations
1 Kings 1:25 See also Esther 9:17
Israel's religious feasts
Passover (or the Feast of Unleavened Bread) to celebrate the exodus
Exodus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:1-3; Leviticus 23:4-6; 2 Chronicles 35:17; Matthew 26:17; Luke 2:41
Pentecost, to celebrate the early harvest
Exodus 34:22 Pentecost was also known in the OT as “the Feast of Weeks” or the “Feast of Harvest”. See also Exodus 23:16; Numbers 28:26
The Feast of Tabernacles, to celebrate the autumn harvest
Exodus 23:16 See also Leviticus 23:34; Deuteronomy 16:13; Ezra 3:4; Nehemiah 8:14; Zechariah 14:16
The Feast of Dedication, to celebrate the rededication of the temple
John 10:22
The Feast of Purim, to celebrate deliverance
Esther 9:17 See also Esther 9:22,26
Feasting amongst God's people
Nehemiah 8:10; Acts 2:46 See also 1 Kings 3:15; Esther 8:17; Esther 9:17; Job 1:4
Feasting amongst the heathen
Examples of pagan feasts
1 Samuel 30:16; Daniel 5:1; Mark 6:21-28
Warnings and instructions to Christians regarding pagan feasts
1 Corinthians 10:27-28; 1 Peter 4:3-4
Feasting as an occasion to sin
1 Corinthians 10:7 See also Exodus 32:6; 1 Samuel 25:36; 2 Samuel 13:28; Habakkuk 2:15; 1 Corinthians 10:28
Feasting as an evangelistic occasion
Luke 5:29 See also Mark 2:16-17; Luke 15:2
Feasting defended by Jesus Christ
Matthew 11:19 pp Luke 7:34-35 See also Matthew 9:14-15 pp Mark 2:18-20 pp Luke 5:33-35
Feasting as a symbol of spiritual blessings
Matthew 22:2 See also Proverbs 9:1-6; Isaiah 25:6; Isaiah 55:1-2; Luke 14:15; Revelation 3:20
Feasting in heaven
Revelation 19:9 See also Matthew 8:11
See also
4410 banquets 5355 invitations 5710 marriage, customs 7354 feasts and festivals 7406 Passover 7408 Pentecost 7418 Purim 7921 fellowship 7936 love feast 8642 celebration 9150 Messianic banquet
