In biblical times, the act of reclining was a common posture during meals and social gatherings, reflecting cultural practices of the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world. This practice is frequently mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the context of the Last Supper and other significant events in the life of Jesus Christ.

Cultural Context

Reclining at meals was a sign of leisure and freedom, contrasting with the posture of standing or sitting, which was more common in earlier periods or among those in servitude. The custom involved lying on one's side, usually the left, supported by the left elbow, while the right hand was free to partake of the meal. This position allowed for intimate conversation and fellowship, as participants were in close proximity to one another.

Biblical References

1. The Last Supper: One of the most notable instances of reclining in the Bible is during the Last Supper. In the Gospel of John, it is recorded, "So He leaned back against Jesus and asked, 'Lord, who is it?'" (John 13:25). This passage describes the disciple whom Jesus loved reclining next to Him, illustrating the closeness and intimacy of the moment.

2. Feeding of the Five Thousand: In the account of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus instructs the crowd to recline on the grass. "Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass" (Mark 6:39). The Greek word used here can also be translated as "recline," indicating a relaxed posture as they prepared to receive the miraculous provision.

3. Parables and Teachings: Jesus often used the imagery of reclining at a banquet to describe the kingdom of heaven. In the parable of the wedding feast, He says, "When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests" (Luke 14:10). This teaching emphasizes humility and the reversal of social expectations in God's kingdom.

4. Anointing at Bethany: The act of reclining is also seen in the account of Jesus being anointed at Bethany. "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table" (Matthew 26:7). This event highlights the honor and devotion shown to Jesus by the woman, as well as the setting of a meal where such acts of hospitality and worship took place.

Theological Significance

Reclining in the biblical narrative often signifies rest, fellowship, and the breaking of bread in a communal setting. It reflects the hospitality and relational aspects of God's kingdom, where believers are invited to partake in the divine fellowship. The posture of reclining, particularly in the presence of Jesus, symbolizes a state of peace and acceptance, foreshadowing the eternal rest promised to the faithful.

In summary, the act of reclining in the Bible is rich with cultural and theological meaning, illustrating themes of intimacy, humility, and the communal nature of God's kingdom.1. (v. t.) To cause or permit to lean, incline, rest; to place in a recumbent position; as, to recline the head on the hand.

2. (v. i.) To lean or incline; as, to recline against a wall.

3. (v. i.) To assume, or to be in, a recumbent position; as, to recline on a couch.

4. (v. t.) Having a reclining posture; leaning; reclining.

2621. katakeimai -- to lie down, recline
... to lie down, recline. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katakeimai Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-ak'-i-mahee) Short Definition: I recline, am lying ill Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2621.htm - 7k

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

4873. sunanakeimai -- to recline with (at table)
... to recline with (at table). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sunanakeimai Phonetic
Spelling: (soon-an-ak'-i-mahee) Short Definition: I recline at table ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4873.htm - 7k

2625. kataklino -- to make to lie down
... to make to lie down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataklino Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ak-lee'-no) Short Definition: I recline, cause to recline Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2625.htm - 6k

347. anaklino -- to lay upon, lay down, to lie back
... upon, lay down, to lie back. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anaklino Phonetic
Spelling: (an-ak-lee'-no) Short Definition: I make to recline, I recline at ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/347.htm - 6k

2827. klino -- to cause to bend
... to cause to bend. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: klino Phonetic Spelling:
(klee'-no) Short Definition: I rest, recline, make to yield Definition: trans ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2827.htm - 6k

377. anapipto -- to fall back
... to fall back. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anapipto Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ap-ip'-to) Short Definition: I lie down, recline, fall back upon Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/377.htm - 6k

2749. keimai -- to be laid, lie
... to be laid, lie. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: keimai Phonetic Spelling:
(ki'-mahee) Short Definition: I lie, recline, am laid Definition: I lie, recline ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2749.htm - 7k

1570. galash -- to recline
... to recline. Transliteration: galash Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-lash') Short Definition:
descended. ... root Definition to recline NASB Word Usage descended (2). appear. ...
/hebrew/1570.htm - 5k

7257. rabats -- stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out
... A primitive root; to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal);
be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed -- crouch (down), fall ...
/hebrew/7257.htm - 6k

7514. raphaq -- to shake, rock
... to shake, rock. Transliteration: raphaq Phonetic Spelling: (raw-fak') Short Definition:
lean. lean A primitive root; to recline -- lean. 7513, 7514. ...
/hebrew/7514.htm - 5k

7901. shakab -- to lie down
... lay down (15), lie (26), lie down (31), lie still (1), lies (25), lies down (10),
lodged (1), lying (7), lying down (4), make your bed (1), recline (1), rest (4 ...
/hebrew/7901.htm - 6k

To These Sayings Postumianus Replies: "While Listening to You...
... It is further to be observed that she did not recline with Martin at the entertainment,
nor did she venture even to partake in the feast, but simply gave her ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter vii to these sayings.htm

The Servant-Lord
... First, the girding, assuming the servant's attire; then the leading of the guests,
wondering and silent, to the couches where they can recline; then the coming ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the servant-lord.htm

Letter ix. To Titus, Hierarch, Asking by Letter what is the House ...
... For He says, the King Himself will come and make them recline, and will Himself
minister to them. Now these things manifest a common ...
/.../dionysius/letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter ix to titus hierarch.htm

The Wedding Garment
... He had no objection to be there, to eat the dainties, or recline upon the seats,
and see the pomp and the show, but he was only in it, and not of it; he was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the wedding garment.htm

Even Now, as the Matter Refers to Thy Opinion on a Point the More ...
... For at their feast, where in a sense they are present and recline along with
thee, it would never do to cast reproach upon their lot. ...
/.../tertullian/the souls testimony/chapter iv even now as.htm

That Divine and Heavenly Things are Appropriately Revealed, Even ...
... and should imagine that there are certain wheels [169] of fire above the heaven,
or material thrones [170] upon which the Godhead may recline, or certain many ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput ii that divine and.htm

Fragment V.
... be worthy. And this is the couch [1752] in which they shall recline who
feast, being invited to the wedding. The presbyters, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/papias/fragments of papias/fragment v.htm

The Absurdity and Shamefulness of the Images by which the Gods are ...
... Nor need you doubt respecting the images of Zeus and Apollo at Patara, in Lycia,
which Phidias executed, as well as the lions that recline with them; and if ...
/.../exhortation to the heathen/chapter iv the absurdity and shamefulness.htm

Elucidations.
... by elevating the ignoble, but downward by sinking the elevated....There is something
similar in Latin: jacio to hurl; and jaceo, to lie, recline, or remain at ...
/.../treatises attributed to cyprian on questionable authority /elucidations.htm

So, when You Allege that the Ornaments of the Heathen Deities are ...
... If it is inconsistent with faith to recline in an idol temple, what is it to
appear in an idol dress? What communion have Christ and Belial? ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter x so when you.htm

Recline (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To cause or permit to lean, incline, rest; to place in a recumbent position;
as, to recline the head on the hand. ...Recline (14 Occurrences). ...
/r/recline.htm - 10k

Lounge (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (v.) To spend time lazily, whether lolling or idly sauntering; to pass time
indolently; to stand, sit, or recline, in an indolent manner. ...
/l/lounge.htm - 7k

Reclined (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Recline. 2. (a.) Falling or turned downward;
reclinate. Multi-Version Concordance Reclined (7 Occurrences). ...
/r/reclined.htm - 8k

Couch (55 Occurrences)
... to couch a cataract. 9. (vi) To lie down or recline, as on a bed or other
place of rest; to repose; to lie. 10. (vi) To lie down ...
/c/couch.htm - 25k

Reclining (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Recline. 2. (a.) Bending or curving
gradually back from the perpendicular. 3. (a.) Recumbent. Int. ...
/r/reclining.htm - 14k

Mayest (240 Occurrences)
... Luke 14:8 When thou mayest be called by any one to marriage-feasts, thou mayest
not recline on the first couch, lest a more honourable than thou may have been ...
/m/mayest.htm - 36k

Cause (1309 Occurrences)
... Luke 9:14 for they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples,
'Cause them to recline in companies, in each fifty;' (YLT). ...
/c/cause.htm - 39k

Lap (12 Occurrences)
... It is usually in the form of wheel or disk, which revolves on a vertical axis.
11. (vt) To rest or recline in a lap, or as in a lap. 12. ...
/l/lap.htm - 15k

Lie (291 Occurrences)
... Samuel 20:6). (see ANANIAS.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (v.) To recline;
also, to speak a falsehood. 2. (n.) A falsehood uttered ...
/l/lie.htm - 48k

Garden (68 Occurrences)
... the air laden with the ethereal perfumes of fruits and flowers, accompanied by the
music of running water, a couch on which to sit or recline, suggest a ...
/g/garden.htm - 38k

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