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

Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. And after they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain.

Weddings

Judges 14:10 See also Genesis 29:22; Esther 2:18; Matthew 22:2; John 2:1–10; Revelation 19:9

Then his father went to visit the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, as was customary for the bridegroom.

Family celebrations

Genesis 21:8 See also Luke 15:23–24

So the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned.

National celebrations

1 Kings 1:25 See also Esther 9:17

For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

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

And you are to celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.

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

You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field. And keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field.

The Feast of Dedication, to celebrate the rededication of the temple

John 10:22

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,

The Feast of Purim, to celebrate deliverance

Esther 9:17 See also Esther 9:22, Esther 9:26

This was done on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested, making it a day of feasting and joy.

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

Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

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,

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

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”

Feasting as an evangelistic occasion

Luke 5:29 See also Mark 2:16–17; Luke 15:2

Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them.

Feasting defended by Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:19 parallel Luke 7:34–35 See also Matthew 9:14–15 parallels Mark 2:18–20, Luke 5:33–35

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”

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

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

Feasting in heaven

Revelation 19:9 See also Matthew 8:11

Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”