In biblical times, the concept of "dinner" as understood in contemporary culture did not exist in the same form. Meals were significant social and religious events, often reflecting one's status and hospitality. The Bible provides various insights into the customs and significance of meals, including what might be considered "dinner."

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, meals were integral to daily life and religious observance. The Hebrew word often translated as "meal" or "feast" is "mishteh," which can refer to a banquet or a drinking feast. Meals were occasions for fellowship, covenant-making, and celebration. For example, in Genesis 18:1-8, Abraham prepares a meal for the three visitors, demonstrating hospitality and reverence. The Passover meal, as described in Exodus 12, is another significant example, serving as a memorial of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, meals continue to hold social and spiritual importance. Jesus frequently used meals as opportunities for teaching and fellowship. The Last Supper, described in the Synoptic Gospels (e.g., Matthew 26:26-29), is a pivotal event where Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, a sacrament commemorating His sacrifice.

The term "dinner" is specifically mentioned in the parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14:12-24. Jesus uses the setting of a dinner to teach about humility and the kingdom of God. In Luke 14:12 , Jesus advises, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid."

Cultural and Social Aspects

Meals in biblical times were typically eaten in a reclining position, especially during formal occasions. The host's role was crucial, as hospitality was a highly valued virtue. Sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and acceptance, as seen in Jesus' interactions with tax collectors and sinners (e.g., Matthew 9:10-13).

The early Christian community also placed importance on communal meals, as seen in Acts 2:46 : "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." This practice emphasized unity and fellowship among believers.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Meals in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings. The Messianic Banquet, a future eschatological feast, is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, symbolizing the ultimate fellowship with God (Isaiah 25:6-9). Jesus' parables frequently use the imagery of a banquet to illustrate the kingdom of God, highlighting themes of invitation, acceptance, and rejection.

In Revelation 3:20 , Jesus extends a personal invitation: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." This verse underscores the intimate fellowship offered by Christ to believers.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly define "dinner" as a distinct meal, the concept of shared meals is deeply woven into the fabric of biblical narrative and theology. Meals serve as a backdrop for divine encounters, teachings, and expressions of community, reflecting the broader spiritual truths of hospitality, fellowship, and the kingdom of God.1. (n.) The principal meal of the day, eaten by most people about midday, but by many (especially in cities) at a later hour.

2. (n.) An entertainment; a feast.

DINNER

din'-er (ariston; Matthew 22:4 Luke 11:38 (the Revised Version, margin "breakfast"); Luke 14:12; compare Ruth 2:14 John 21:13): In oriental as in classical lands it was customary, in ancient times, as now, to have but two meals in the day, and the evidence, including that of Josephus, goes to show that the second or evening meal was the principal one. The "morning morsel," as the is Talmud calls it, was in no sense a "meal." The peasant or artisan, before beginning work, might "break (his) fast" (John 21:12, 15) by taking a bit of barley bread with some simple relish, but to "eat (a full meal) in the morning" was a reproach (Ecclesiastes 10:16). The full meal was not to be taken until a little before or after sunset, when the laborers had come in from their work (Luke 17:7; compare the "supper time" of Luke 14:17). The noon meal, taken at an hour when climatic conditions called for rest from exertion (the ariston of the Greeks, rendered "dinner" in English Versions of the Bible, Matthew 22:4 Luke 11:38, the Revised Version, margin "breakfast"), was generally very simple, of bread soaked in light wine with a handful of parched corn (Ruth 2:14), or of "pottage and bread broken into a bowl" (Bel and the Dragon 33), or of bread and broiled fish (John 21:13). Many, when on journey especially, content with one meal a day, taken after sunset. In general, eating at other times casual and informal; evening is the time for the formal meal, or feast. See MEALS.

George B. Eager

1173. deipnon -- dinner, supper
... dinner, supper. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: deipnon Phonetic Spelling:
(dipe'-non) Short Definition: a dinner, an afternoon or evening meal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1173.htm - 6k

712. ariston -- breakfast, dinner
... breakfast, dinner. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ariston Phonetic
Spelling: (ar'-is-ton) Short Definition: breakfast or a mid-day meal Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/712.htm - 7k

345. anakeimai -- to be laid up, to recline
... recline. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anakeimai Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ak-i'-mahee) Short Definition: I recline, especially at a dinner-table Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/345.htm - 7k

755. architriklinos -- the superintendent of a banquet
... architriklinos Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khee-tree'-klee-nos) Short Definition: master
of the feast Definition: master of ceremonies at a dinner, master of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/755.htm - 6k

377. anapipto -- to fall back
... anapipto Phonetic Spelling: (an-ap-ip'-to) Short Definition: I lie down, recline,
fall back upon Definition: I lie down, recline (at a dinner-table), fall back ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/377.htm - 6k

511. anoteros -- higher
... ter-os) Short Definition: higher, to a more honorable place, previously, above
Definition: higher, to a more honorable place (at the dinner table); previously ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/511.htm - 6k

4873. sunanakeimai -- to recline with (at table)
... Word Origin from sun and anakeimai Definition to recline with (at table) NASB Word
Usage dining (2), dinner guests (2), reclining (2), table (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4873.htm - 7k

4411. protoklisia -- the chief place (at the table)
... From protos and klisia; a reclining first (in the place of honor) at the
dinner-bed, ie Preeminence at meals -- chief (highest, uppermost) room. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4411.htm - 6k

737. aruchah -- a meal, allowance
... allowance, diet, dinner, victuals. Feminine passive participle of 'arach (in the
sense of appointing); a ration of food -- allowance, diet, dinner, victuals. ...
/hebrew/737.htm - 6k

Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. Meditations before Dinner and Supper. Meditate
that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations before dinner and supper.htm

Scientific Education: Notes of an After-Dinner Speech.
... IV. SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION: NOTES OF AN AFTER-DINNER SPEECH. [MR. THACKERAY,
talking of after-dinner speeches, has lamented that "one ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/iv scientific education notes of.htm

Therefore, after Mass, the Aforesaid Squire Invited Him to Dinner. ...
... Therefore, after mass, the aforesaid squire invited him to dinner? ... But he kept such
perfect silence at dinner that not a word proceeded from his mouth. ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/lection iii therefore after mass.htm

Of the Days on Which, when Supper is Provided for the Brethren, a ...
... Chapter XII. Of the days on which, when supper is provided for the brethren, a Psalm
is not said as they assemble for the meals as is usual at dinner. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii of the days.htm

John Chapter xxi. 12-19.
... 2. "And Jesus cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise." We
are likewise told here, you see, on what they dined; and of this dinner we also ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxxiii john chapter xxi.htm

"We Found Another Equally Remarkable Man Living in a Small Hut...
... Concerning him we were told that a she-wolf was accustomed to stand near him at
dinner; and that the beast could by no means be easily deceived so as to fail ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xiv we found another.htm

A Break to Canada
... When the bugle sounded at seven o'clock for dinner, we were in the midst
of an argument. The Adjutant declared that she must go ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/viii a break to canada.htm

The Right to My Own Time
... You never know, but we ought to be home in plenty of time for dinner.". ... "Who could
think of such a thing! Of course you'll stay for dinner with me! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 6 the right to.htm

Lives of Faith and Trust
... of living: "Greater and more manifest nearness of the Lord's presence I have never
had, than when after breakfast, there were no means for dinner, and then the ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/lives of faith and trust.htm

The Noviceship
... There surely would be one or more visits to the chapel. When the hour for dinner
came, Stanislaus probably served at table, taking his own meal later. ...
/.../chapter xiii the noviceship.htm

Dinner (23 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) An entertainment; a feast. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DINNER. ... See
MEALS. George B. Eager. Multi-Version Concordance Dinner (23 Occurrences). ...
/d/dinner.htm - 15k

Dinner-time (1 Occurrence)
Dinner-time. Dinner, Dinner-time. Dionysia . Multi-Version Concordance
Dinner-time (1 Occurrence). Luke 14:17 At dinner...
/d/dinner-time.htm - 6k

Banquet (58 Occurrences)
... 3. A Distinction Giving Rise to a Question: (1) In Matthew 22:4, "I have made ready
my dinner," "dinner" in Greek is ariston (compare Luke 11:38). ...
/b/banquet.htm - 36k

Guests (43 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of
his dinner guests, he didn't wish to refuse her. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/guests.htm - 18k

Wait (223 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To cause to wait; to defer; to postpone; -- said of a meal; as, to wait
dinner. 7. (n.) The act of waiting; a delay; a halt. 8. (vi) Ambush. ...
/w/wait.htm - 41k

Luncheon (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A lump of food. 2. (n.) A portion of food taken at any time except at a
regular meal; an informal or light repast, as between breakfast and dinner. ...
/l/luncheon.htm - 7k

Invite (20 Occurrences)
... bid; to summon; to ask to do some act, or go to some place; esp., to ask to an
entertainment or visit; to request the company of; as, to invite to dinner, or a ...
/i/invite.htm - 12k

Invited (49 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 22:4 Again he sent out other servants,
saying,'Tell those who are invited, "Behold, I have made ready my dinner. ...
/i/invited.htm - 21k

Fattened (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:4 Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Say to those who have been
called: Lo, my dinner I prepared, my oxen and the fatlings have been killed ...
/f/fattened.htm - 12k

Finished (157 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:8 and will not rather say to him, 'Get my dinner ready, make yourself tidy,
and wait upon me till I have finished my dinner, and then you shall have ...
/f/finished.htm - 36k

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