The term "sumptuous" refers to something that is lavish, luxurious, or splendid, often implying great expense or opulence. In the context of the Bible, the concept of sumptuousness is often associated with wealth, feasting, and the potential moral and spiritual pitfalls that can accompany material abundance.

Biblical References:

1. Luke 16:19 · The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: "Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor." This passage describes the rich man's sumptuous lifestyle, characterized by extravagant clothing and daily feasting. The parable contrasts his earthly opulence with his ultimate spiritual poverty, highlighting the dangers of prioritizing material wealth over spiritual well-being.

2. Esther 1:3-4 · The Banquet of King Xerxes: "In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces were present, and for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness." This account of King Xerxes' lavish banquet illustrates the grandeur and opulence of royal feasts in ancient times, serving as a backdrop for the events that unfold in the Book of Esther.

3. Proverbs 23:1-3 · Caution Against Indulgence: "When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you, and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive." This proverb warns against the dangers of indulging in sumptuous foods, emphasizing the need for self-control and discernment in the face of temptation.

Theological Implications:

The Bible often uses the concept of sumptuousness to explore themes of wealth, temptation, and the moral responsibilities that accompany material blessings. While the enjoyment of God's provisions is not inherently wrong, Scripture cautions against allowing luxury and opulence to lead to pride, complacency, or neglect of spiritual duties.

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus serves as a poignant reminder of the eternal consequences of ignoring the needs of others while indulging in personal luxury. The rich man's sumptuous lifestyle ultimately leads to his spiritual downfall, as he fails to show compassion and generosity to the less fortunate.

In contrast, the Bible encourages believers to adopt a mindset of stewardship, recognizing that all material blessings are gifts from God to be used for His glory and the benefit of others. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often emphasizes contentment and warns against the love of money, which can lead to spiritual ruin (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

Practical Application:

Believers are called to exercise wisdom and moderation in their use of material resources, avoiding the pitfalls of extravagance and self-indulgence. The pursuit of a sumptuous lifestyle should not overshadow the pursuit of righteousness, generosity, and a heart aligned with God's purposes.

In a world that often equates success with material abundance, Christians are reminded to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), trusting that their needs will be met as they prioritize spiritual over material wealth.(a.) Involving large outlay or expense; costly; expensive; luxurious; splendid; magnificent; as, a sumptuous house or table; sumptuous apparel.3045. liparos -- oily, fatty, fig. rich
... rich. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: liparos Phonetic Spelling:
(lip-ar-os') Short Definition: rich, sumptuous Definition: (lit: fat), rich ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3045.htm - 6k

2986. lampros -- bright
... From the same as lampas; radiant; by analogy, limpid; figuratively, magnificent
or sumptuous (in appearance) -- bright, clear, gay, goodly, gorgeous, white. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2986.htm - 6k

Set at Liberty.
... brigandage, pillage, and bloodshed. It is not difficult to imagine that
sumptuous and splendid retinue. Roman soldiers and officials ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xiv set at liberty.htm

How Herod the Tetrarch was Banished.
... So he got all things ready, after as sumptuous a manner as he was able, and spared
for nothing, and went up to Rome, and took Herodias along with him. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how herod the.htm

Whether the Species of Gluttony are Fittingly Distinguished?
... First, with regard to the food consumed: and thus, as regards the substance or species
of food a man seeks "sumptuous""-ie costly food; as regards its quality ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the species of gluttony.htm

The Rival Empresses --Pulcheria and Eudocia
... Whereas richly clad senators and officers in sumptuous raiment had earlier passed
in and out of the palace, so now the black robes of priests and the dark ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/x the rival empressespulcheria and.htm

Conversations.
... Mode of finding a worthy man."Pheraulas wounded."Pheraulas pursues his course."He
receives the Sacian's horse."Sumptuous entertainment."Pheraulas and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xi conversations.htm

Saint George Releases the Six Champions.
... appeared without her silver wand; and soon after they saw her sink down on a couch
of rose-leaves she had prepared for herself in a sumptuous apartment, where ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter two saint george releases.htm

The Rich Man and Lazarus.
... The rich man was carried from a sumptuous table to a sumptuous tomb; and the poor
man perhaps had not where to lay his head, when its aching had ceased at ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxvi the rich man and.htm

Felicitous Phrases
... M. magnificent, sumptuous, and stately. magnitude, duration, and scope. ... polished,
elegant, and sumptuous. politics, business, and religion. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iii felicitous phrases.htm

Before Egypt's Throne
... Three of the soldiers laid their cloaks on the earth for her feet; six others let
down the litter and Menes assisted her into the sumptuous conveyance Rameses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxix before egypts throne.htm

The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... He moved forward, his path only discovered to him step by step as the light advanced,
the sumptuous frescoes done by the hand of his father emerging, one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiii the tomb of.htm

Sumptuous (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Involving large outlay or expense; costly; expensive; luxurious; splendid;
magnificent; as, a sumptuous house or table; sumptuous apparel. ...
/s/sumptuous.htm - 7k

Feast (209 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A festive or joyous meal; a grand, ceremonious, or sumptuous entertainment,
of which many guests partake; a banquet characterized by tempting variety ...
/f/feast.htm - 47k

Dainty (7 Occurrences)
... seeing they are deceitful food" (compare John's words in the woes upon Babylon
(Revelation 18:14), "All things that were dainties and sumptuous are perished ...
/d/dainty.htm - 10k

Banquet (58 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A feast; a sumptuous entertainment of eating
and drinking; often, a complimentary or ceremonious feast, followed by speeches. ...
/b/banquet.htm - 36k

Riches (118 Occurrences)
... opulence; affluence. 2. (a.) That which appears rich, sumptuous, precious,
or the like. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RICHES. rich ...
/r/riches.htm - 41k

Summons (7 Occurrences)

/s/summons.htm - 8k

Vanished (13 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:14 The fruits which your soul lusted after have been lost to you,
and all things that were dainty and sumptuous have perished from you, and you ...
/v/vanished.htm - 10k

Luxurious (9 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:14 The fruits which your soul lusted after have been lost to you,
and all things that were dainty and sumptuous have perished from you, and you ...
/l/luxurious.htm - 9k

Lusted (14 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:14 The fruits which your soul lusted after have been lost to you,
and all things that were dainty and sumptuous have perished from you, and you ...
/l/lusted.htm - 10k

Goodly (46 Occurrences)
... British and American) "fine clothing," and Revelation 18:14, "dainty and goodly"
the Revised Version (British and American) "dainty and sumptuous." In Hebrews ...
/g/goodly.htm - 25k

Sumptuous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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