Dinner
/DIN-er/
Summary
A meal, typically the lighter midday meal in Eastern custom, distinguished from the main evening supper.
☩Eastern Meal Customs
In Eastern lands, the principal meal was taken in the evening after work. The midday meal (ariston in Greek) was generally light—bread with olives, fruit, curded milk, or cheese. Many traveled with only one meal a day, taken after sunset. The morning was not for eating; to 'eat in the morning' was considered a reproach.
Key verses:Ecclesiastes 10:16Luke 17:7Luke 14:17
☩Biblical References
Joseph commanded his steward to prepare a meal at noon for his brothers. Jesus dined at a Pharisee's house where He addressed ritual washings before the midday meal. In His teaching, Jesus distinguished between the dinner and supper, the latter being the occasion for inviting friends.
Key verses:Genesis 43:16Luke 11:37-38Luke 14:12
Related Verses5 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Dinner," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Dinner," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).