Easton's Bible Dictionary

Entertainments, "feasts," were sometimes connected with a public festival (Deuteronomy 16:11, 14), and accompanied by offerings (1 Samuel 9:13), in token of alliances (Genesis 26:30); sometimes in connection with domestic or social events, as at the weaning of children (Genesis 21:8), at weddings (Genesis 29:22; John 2:1), on birth-days (Matthew 14:6), at the time of sheep-shearing (2 Samuel 13:23), and of vintage (Judges 9:27), and at funerals (2 Samuel 3:35; Jeremiah 16:7).

The guests were invited by servants (Proverbs 9:3; Matthew 22:3), who assigned them their respective places (1 Samuel 9:22; Luke 14:8; Mark 12:39). Like portions were sent by the master to each guest (1 Samuel 1:4; 2 Samuel 6:19), except when special honour was intended, when the portion was increased (Genesis 43:34).

The Israelites were forbidden to attend heathenish sacrificial entertainments (Exodus 34:15), because these were in honour of false gods, and because at such feast they would be liable to partake of unclean flesh (1 Corinthians 10:28).

In the entertainments common in apostolic times among the Gentiles were frequent "revellings," against which Christians were warned (Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; 1 Peter 4:3). (see BANQUET.)

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (v. t.) To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep.

2. (v. t.) To give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest.

3. (v. t.) To engage the attention of agreeably; to amuse with that which makes the time pass pleasantly; to divert; as, to entertain friends with conversation, etc.

4. (v. t.) To give reception to; to receive, in general; to receive and take into consideration; to admit, treat, or make use of; as, to entertain a proposal.

5. (v. t.) To meet or encounter, as an enemy.

6. (v. t.) To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments.

7. (v. t.) To lead on; to bring along; to introduce.

8. (v. i.) To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously.

9. (n.) Entertainment.