The following is the results of your search for Marriage-feasts.
Marriage-feasts: (John 2:1-11) "lasted usually for a whole week; but the cost of such
prolonged rejoicing is very small in the East. The guests sit round
the great bowl or bowls on the floor, the meal usually consisting of
a lamb or kid stewed in rice or barley. The most honoured guests sit
nearest, others behind; and all in eating dip their hand into the one
smoking mound, pieces of the thin bread, bent together, serving for
spoons when necessary. After the first circle have satisfied
themselves, those lower in honour sit down to the rest, the whole
company being men, for women are never seen at a feast. Water is
poured on the hands before eating; and this is repeated when the meal
closes, the fingers having first been wiped on pieces of bread,
which, after serving the same purpose as table-napkins with us, are
thrown on the ground to be eaten by any dog that may have stolen in
from the streets through the ever-open door, or picked up by those
outside when gathered and tossed out to them
(Matthew 15:27; Mark 7:28) Rising
from the ground and retiring to the seats round the walls, the guests
then sit down cross-legged and gossip, or listen to recitals, or
puzzle over riddles, light being scantily supplied by a small lamp or
two, or if the night be chilly, by a smouldering fire of weeds
kindled in the middle of the room, perhaps in a brazier, often in a
hole in the floor. As to the smoke, it escapes as it best may; but
indeed there is little of it, though enough to blacken the water or
wine or milk skins hung up on pegs on the wall. (Comp.)
(Psalms 119:83) To
some such marriage-feast Jesus and his five disciples were invited at
Cana of Galilee." Geikie's Life of Christ.
