In biblical times, the home was a central place for hospitality and entertainment, reflecting the cultural and social norms of the ancient Near East. The Bible provides various accounts of entertainments and gatherings that took place within the household, highlighting the importance of hospitality, fellowship, and community.

Hospitality and Feasting

Hospitality was a significant aspect of ancient Israelite culture, often involving the preparation of meals and the hosting of guests. Abraham's hospitality to the three visitors in Genesis 18:1-8 exemplifies this practice. Abraham hurried to prepare a meal for his guests, demonstrating generosity and respect. The Berean Standard Bible recounts, "So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, 'Quick, prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.'"

Feasting was a common form of entertainment and celebration, often associated with religious festivals and family events. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father celebrates his son's return with a feast, as described in Luke 15:23-24 : "Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

Music and Dance

Music and dance were integral to celebrations and entertainments in biblical households. The Psalms frequently mention the use of musical instruments and singing as expressions of joy and worship. Psalm 150:3-5 encourages, "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute."

The celebration of David's victory over Goliath included music and dance, as women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, accompanied by tambourines and other instruments (1 Samuel 18:6).

Storytelling and Teaching

Storytelling was another form of entertainment and education within the home. The transmission of oral traditions and teachings was vital for preserving the history and laws of Israel. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs, "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Jesus often used parables as a means of teaching and engaging His listeners, providing moral and spiritual lessons through storytelling. These parables were shared in various settings, including homes, as seen in the account of Jesus teaching in the house of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42).

Games and Recreation

While the Bible does not explicitly mention games as a form of entertainment, recreational activities likely played a role in family and community life. Proverbs 17:22 suggests the value of a joyful heart: "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." This implies that activities fostering joy and laughter were beneficial and encouraged.

In summary, entertainments in biblical households encompassed a range of activities, from feasting and music to storytelling and teaching. These gatherings were not only opportunities for enjoyment but also for reinforcing community bonds, imparting wisdom, and expressing faith.Luke 5:29
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... Beef was not so often used, and still more rarely ... best part of the meal ostentatiously
given to them. At ordinary entertainments, people were to help themselves ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

The Christian Honoring God by his Dying Behavior.
... blessed be thy name, I have often been taught ... for all opportunities which thou hast
given me of ... guest from the various and pleasant entertainments with which ...
/.../chapter xxx the christian honoring.htm

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ...
... the utmost latitude of questioning would be given. ... Even in luxurious Alexandria it
seems often to have ... and such festive evening-entertainments, with elaborate ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x in the house.htm

The Case of Spiritual Decay and Languor in Religion
... 3. Having given this precaution, I will now a little ... a fondness for company, and
the entertainments which often ... 6:6) and seest me, perhaps often amusing myself ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxii the case of.htm

The Marriage of Cana
... present at a wedding, and other entertainments; nay, at ... whilst pilgrims here on earth,
are often so exceeding ... The Lord therefore now has given a commission in ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the marriage of cana.htm

Letter v. Society --Conversation.
... her exploits, her acquirements, her entertainments, her beaux ... every good school
instruction is given in the ... of harshness and loudness is often mere carelessness ...
/.../letter v societyconversation.htm

Reclaiming a Church to Meet a New Age
... The social atmosphere, the entertainments, the athletic record ... and though not ordained
is often called "Reverend ... in steadily from a people given to generosity. ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/reclaiming a church to meet.htm

Power Hindered.
... Spirit, is the miserable policy of introducing questionable entertainments. ... like
a flood, and how often you find ... it is abundant, and it is freely given; and so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter v power hindered.htm

Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving
... Both are often entirely dissipated by the flippant, thoughtless ... and might satisfy
as mere entertainments, pleasing the ... it emphatic, something to be given by God ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iv prayer praise and thanksgiving.htm

The Missionary in India (Continued).
... As missionaries are often more stationary than European ... do on horses, establishments,
and entertainments, their houses ... and only chaff has been given to the wind ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xxv the missionary in.htm

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