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Bible Dictionaries
Dinner
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
or DINNER (ἄριστον, Matthew 22:4, Luke 11:38 [(Revised Version margin) ‘breakfast’] Luke 14:12).—In the East there is no meal properly corresponding to our breakfast. Even the guest is allowed to depart in the morning without ‘bite or sup.’ Eating and drinking early in the day are held to be marks of effeminacy and self-indulgence, and are regarded as bad for the system. Many, especially when on a journey, are content with one meal in the twenty-four hours, taken after sunset. In general, however, a light meal is eaten about the middle of the day, consisting of bread, olives, fruit, leben (sour curded milk), cheese, etc.; but the principal meal is in the evening. Eating at other times is quite casual and informal. It is probably correct to say that in NT ἄριστον and δεῖπνον correspond respectively to our luncheon and dinner. See, further, art. Meals.
W. Ewing.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Dinner'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdn/d/dinner.html. 1906-1918.
