Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, festivals and celebrations were integral to the social and religious life of the Israelites. These occasions were often marked by various forms of entertainment, which served to enhance the communal and spiritual experience. The entertainments provided during these festivals were not merely for amusement but were deeply intertwined with worship, remembrance, and community bonding.Biblical Festivals and Entertainment 1. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): This festival, as described in Leviticus 23:33-43, was a time of great joy and celebration. The Israelites were commanded to live in booths for seven days to commemorate their journey through the wilderness. Entertainment during this festival included music, dancing, and communal feasting. Nehemiah 8:17-18 highlights the joy and celebration associated with this feast: "The whole assembly who had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this, and there was great rejoicing." 2. Passover (Pesach): The Passover festival, as outlined in Exodus 12, was a solemn yet celebratory occasion. While the primary focus was on the remembrance of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, the festival included a communal meal known as the Seder. This meal was accompanied by the singing of hymns, such as the Hallel (Psalms 113-118), which were integral to the celebration. The entertainment here was primarily in the form of storytelling and singing, which reinforced the historical and spiritual significance of the event. 3. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot): This festival, also known as Pentecost, was a time of thanksgiving for the harvest. Deuteronomy 16:10-11 describes the joy and celebration associated with this feast: "And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your son and daughter, your male and female servants, the Levite within your gates, and the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow among you." The entertainment during Shavuot included offerings, communal meals, and possibly music and dance, reflecting the joy of the harvest and the giving of the Law at Sinai. 4. Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah): Although not one of the original Levitical feasts, Hanukkah is mentioned in the New Testament in John 10:22. This festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple and is celebrated with lights, games, and songs. The entertainment during Hanukkah includes the playing of the dreidel game and the singing of traditional songs, which serve to remind participants of the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees. Role of Music and Dance Music and dance were central to the entertainments during biblical festivals. In 2 Samuel 6:14-15, we see King David dancing before the LORD with all his might as the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This act of worship through dance was a form of entertainment that expressed joy and reverence. Similarly, in Psalm 150, the psalmist calls for praise with various musical instruments, highlighting the role of music in worship and celebration: "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre." Communal Feasting Feasting was a significant aspect of festival entertainments, providing an opportunity for communal bonding and celebration. In Esther 9:22, the Feast of Purim is described as a time for "feasting and joy, and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor." Such feasts were not only about physical nourishment but also about fostering community and sharing God's blessings with others. Conclusion The entertainments given on occasions of festivals in the Bible were multifaceted, serving to enhance the spiritual, communal, and celebratory aspects of these events. Through music, dance, storytelling, and feasting, the Israelites were able to express their joy, gratitude, and reverence for God's providence and deliverance. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 20:5,24-26And David said to Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field to the third day at even. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Course of the World. Hymns, Festival and Occasional. In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ... Patriotic Hymns. Church Fabrics and Services. General Index to Socrates' Ecclesiastical History. The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire part i part ii Resources Entertainment and Worldview ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian play multi-player fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons? | GotQuestions.org How should Christians view Disney? | GotQuestions.org Entertainment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Entertainments: A Choice Portion Reserved In, for Principal Guests Entertainments: Anxiety to Have Many Guests At, Alluded To Entertainments: Began With Thanksgiving Entertainments: Concluded With a Hymn Entertainments: Custom of Presenting the Sop At, to One of the Guests, Entertainments: Forwardness to Take Chief Seats At, Condemned Entertainments: Given by the Guests in Return Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Birthdays Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Coronation of Kings Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Festivals Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Harvest Home Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Marriage Entertainments: Given on Occasions of National Deliverance Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Offering Voluntary Sacrifice Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Ratifying Covenants Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Return of Friends Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Sheep-Shearing Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Taking Leave of Friends Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Vintage Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Weaning Children Entertainments: Guests At: Arranged According to Rank Entertainments: Guests At: had Their Feet Washed when They Came a Distance Entertainments: Guests At: Often Ate from the Same Dish Entertainments: Guests At: Often had Separate Dishes Entertainments: Guests At: Saluted by the Master Entertainments: Guests At: Usually Anointed Entertainments: Invitations to Often Addressed to Many Entertainments: Invitations to Often by the Master in Person Entertainments: Invitations to Often Only to Relatives and Friends Entertainments: Invitations to Repeated Through Servants when all Things Were Ready Entertainments: Invitations to should be Sent to the Poor Entertainments: Kinds of, Mentioned in Scripture: Banquet of Wine Entertainments: Kinds of, Mentioned in Scripture: Dinner Entertainments: Kinds of, Mentioned in Scripture: Supper Entertainments: Men and Women did not Usually Meet At Entertainments: Music and Dancing often Introduced At Entertainments: None Admitted To, After the Master had Risen and Shut The Entertainments: None Asked to Eat or Drink More than he Liked At Entertainments: Offense Given by Refusing to Go To Entertainments: Often Given in The Air, Besides Fountains Entertainments: Often Given in The Court of the House Entertainments: Often Given in The House Entertainments: Often Given in The Upper Room or Guest Chamber Entertainments: Often Scenes of Great Intemperance Entertainments: Portions of, often Sent to the Absent Entertainments: Preparations Made For Entertainments: Served often by Hired Servants Entertainments: Served often by Members of the Family Entertainments: Under the Direction of a Master of the Feast Related Terms |
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