Birthday
/BIRTH-day/
Summary
The annual celebration of one's birth, mentioned in Scripture in connection with Pharaoh and Herod.
☩Biblical Examples
Birthday celebrations appear twice in Scripture. Pharaoh's birthday feast is recorded in Genesis, during which he restored his chief butler but executed his chief baker. Herod's birthday celebration in the New Testament became the occasion for John the Baptist's execution when Herodias's daughter danced and requested his head.
Key verses:Genesis 40:20Matthew 14:6Mark 6:21
☩Cultural Context
Birthday celebrations were more common among Gentile nations than among the Hebrews. Both biblical references involve foreign or Hellenized rulers, suggesting this was primarily a pagan custom in antiquity.
Key verses:Genesis 40:20
Related Verses5 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Birthday," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Birthday," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).