### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb δειπνέω (deipnéō, `{{G1172}}`) derives directly from the noun δεῖπνον (deipnon, `{{G1173}}`), which signifies the principal meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening. Its core meaning is "to dine" or "to eat supper." Unlike more general verbs for eating (e.g., ἐσθίω, `{{G2068}}`), δειπνέω specifically refers to partaking in the main meal, which in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures was often the most substantial and communal repast. The semantic range thus extends beyond mere physical consumption to encompass notions of fellowship, hospitality, and shared experience around a table.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of δειπνέω in the New Testament, though few, carry immense theological weight due to their specific contexts:
* **Luke 17:8**: "And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?" Here, the verb describes a master's expectation for his servant to prepare and serve his evening meal before the servant himself eats. It illustrates a common social custom and the established hierarchy within a household.
* **Luke 22:20**: "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." This verse is profoundly significant, as it places the institution of the New Covenant directly "after supper" (μετὰ τὸ δειπνῆσαι). The act of "supping" thus becomes the immediate prelude to the most sacred moment of the Last Supper, where Christ inaugurates the new covenant in His blood.
* **1 Corinthians 11:25**: "After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." Paul's recounting of the Lord's Supper to the Corinthian church echoes Luke's account, emphasizing that the symbolic taking of the cup and the declaration of the New Covenant occurred "when he had supped." This firmly anchors the sacrament of communion in the historical reality of that final meal.
* **Revelation 3:20**: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." This is a deeply metaphorical and invitational use of δειπνέω. Christ's offer to "sup with him" signifies a profound, intimate fellowship and communion with the individual believer. It evokes the warmth and closeness of a shared meal, symbolizing personal relationship and divine hospitality.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **δεῖπνον (deipnon, `{{G1173}}`)**: The noun form, meaning "supper" or "dinner," the primary meal. This is the direct lexical root of δειπνέω and is crucial for understanding its specific focus on the main evening meal.
* **κοινωνία (koinōnia, `{{G2842}}`)**: Fellowship, communion, participation. The act of δειπνέω, particularly in the context of the Last Supper and [[Revelation 3:20]], inherently implies or fosters κοινωνία. Shared meals were a central expression of community in the early church.
* **ἀγάπη (agapē, `{{G26}}`)**: Love. The "love feast" (agape feast) was an early Christian practice often associated with the Lord's Supper, highlighting the communal and loving nature of the shared meal. The act of "supping" together in Christian context is an expression of ἀγάπη.
* **μνησικακέω (mnēsikakeō)** (from μνησικακία, `{{G3413}}`): To remember (often with negative connotation). In the context of the Lord's Supper, the command to "do this in remembrance of me" ([[1 Corinthians 11:24-25]]) connects the act of "supping" with the vital theological concept of remembering Christ's sacrifice.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of δειπνέω is primarily derived from its association with the Last Supper and the imagery in Revelation.
* **Covenantal Institution**: The most profound theological implication of δειπνέω is its role as the setting for the institution of the New Covenant. The act of "supping" provides the historical and ritualistic framework for Christ's declaration of His body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins, establishing the foundational sacrament of Christian communion. It transforms a mundane meal into a sacred, redemptive event.
* **Intimate Fellowship and Presence**: In [[Revelation 3:20]], Christ's invitation to "sup with him" is a powerful metaphor for deep, personal communion between the Risen Lord and the individual believer. It speaks of divine hospitality, where Christ desires to share life and intimacy with those who respond to His call. This is not merely an intellectual assent but an invitation to a relational presence.
* **Remembrance and Proclamation**: The repeated emphasis on "when he had supped" in the Last Supper accounts underscores the importance of remembering Christ's sacrifice. The act of δειπνέω becomes a perpetual reminder and proclamation of the Lord's death until He comes again.
* **Anticipation of the Eschatological Feast**: The imagery of δειπνέω also points forward to the future. The "marriage supper of the Lamb" ([[Revelation 19:9]]) is the ultimate eschatological feast where believers will partake in eternal communion with Christ, a fulfillment of the fellowship initiated in the earthly supper.
### Summary
δειπνέω (deipnéō, `{{G1172}}`) literally means "to dine" or "to take the evening meal." While a simple verb, its usage in the New Testament imbues it with immense theological depth. It serves as the foundational context for the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the New Covenant, transforming a customary meal into the sacred act of Christian communion. Furthermore, in [[Revelation 3:20]], it metaphorically portrays Christ's personal invitation to intimate fellowship with those who open their hearts to Him. Thus, δειπνέω transcends its basic definition, becoming a word rich with connotations of covenant, intimate communion with the divine, remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, and anticipation of the ultimate eschatological feast with the Lamb. It encapsulates both historical reality and profound spiritual truth concerning God's desire for relationship with humanity.
TRV