# feast, feasting

## Definition:

The term “feast” is a very general term that refers to an event where people gather to celebrate something by eating a large meal together. In biblical times, a feast sometimes lasted for several days or more.

* Often there are special kinds of food that are eaten at a certain feast.
* The religious festivals that God commanded the Jews to celebrate usually included having a feast together. For this reason the festivals are often called “feasts.”
* In biblical times, kings and other rich and powerful people often gave feasts to entertain their family or friends.
* In the story about the lost son, the father had a special feast prepared to celebrate the return of his son.
* The term to “feast” could also be translated as to “eat lavishly” or to “celebrate by eating lots of food” or to “eat a special, large meal.”
* Depending on the context, “feast” could be translated as “celebrating together with a large meal” or “a meal with a lot of food” or “a celebration meal.”

(See also: [festival](../other/festival.md), [banquet](../other/banquet.md))

## Bible References:

* [2 Peter 2:12-14](rc://en/tn/help/2pe/02/12)
* [Genesis 26:30](rc://en/tn/help/gen/26/30)
* [Genesis 29:22](rc://en/tn/help/gen/29/22)
* [Genesis 40:20](rc://en/tn/help/gen/40/20)
* [Jude 1:12-13](rc://en/tn/help/jud/01/12)
* [Luke 2:43](rc://en/tn/help/luk/02/43)
* [Luke 14:7-9](rc://en/tn/help/luk/14/07)
* [Matthew 22:1](rc://en/tn/help/mat/22/01)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H0398, H2077, H2282, H3899, H3900, H4150, H4797, H4960, H7646, H8057, H8354, G00260, G10620, G11730, G18590, G21650, G49100