(Aramaic) corresponding to מִשְׁתֶּה; a banquet; banquet.
Transliteration:mishteh
Pronunciation:mish-teh'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic noun H4961 (mishteh) directly corresponds to the Hebrew `{{H4960}}` (mishteh), both carrying the primary meaning of "banquet" or "feast." The term emphasizes a "drinking party," though it implicitly includes the consumption of food. It describes a substantial, often elaborate, gathering for celebration, revelry, or significant social and political occasions, distinguishing it from a simple meal. The semantic range points towards events characterized by abundance, merriment, and often, a degree of luxury or extravagance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, H4961 (mishteh) is found exclusively in the Aramaic sections of the Old Testament, specifically within the book of Daniel. Its most prominent and impactful occurrences are concentrated in [[Daniel 5]], where it describes the infamous "great feast" held by King Belshazzar:
* [[Daniel 5:1]]: The chapter opens by establishing the setting: "King Belshazzar made a great feast (mishteh) for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand." This immediately sets the tone for a lavish and public display of power and indulgence.
* [[Daniel 5:2]]: During this banquet, Belshazzar commands that the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar be brought out. This act transforms the feast from mere indulgence into an act of profound sacrilege.
* [[Daniel 5:3]]: The text reiterates the use of the holy vessels for drinking wine by the king, his lords, his wives, and his concubines.
* [[Daniel 5:4]]: The participants drink from these vessels and "praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone." The mishteh thus becomes the stage for open idolatry and direct affront to the God of Israel.
In these contexts, H4961 consistently refers to a grand, royal feast, characterized by excessive drinking and a brazen disregard for the sacred. The banquet in Daniel 5 is not merely a social event but a pivotal moment of human hubris that directly precipitates divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate lexical relation is to the Hebrew `{{H4960}}` (mishteh), which shares the identical meaning and is used extensively in other Old Testament books (e.g., Esther, Genesis, 1 Samuel) to denote various types of feasts, including celebratory banquets, mourning feasts, or feasts marking significant agreements. The Aramaic H4961 functions as a direct semantic equivalent.
Other related terms that contribute to the broader concept of feasting and consumption include:
* `{{H3899}}` (lechem): bread, food, meal – a general term for sustenance.
* `{{H3978}}` (ma'akal): food, eating – another general term.
* `{{H3499}}` (yayin): wine – a central component of many "mishteh" events.
* `{{H2282}}` (chag): feast, festival – often refers to religious festivals, though mishteh can be secular.
Conceptually, mishteh relates to:
* Displays of royal power and extravagance.
* Social and political gatherings.
* Situations ripe for revelry, but also for moral and spiritual failure, as vividly illustrated in Daniel 5.
* The setting for significant, often transformative, events.
### Theological Significance
In its primary biblical context within Daniel 5, the mishteh carries profound theological weight. It is far more than a simple gathering; it represents the apex of human pride and defiance against God. King Belshazzar's decision to use the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple for his profane banquet is an act of extreme sacrilege, directly challenging the sovereignty and holiness of the God of Israel. This act of desecration, performed amidst drunken revelry and idolatrous praise, serves as the ultimate provocation.
The mishteh thus becomes the stage for divine intervention and immediate judgment. The appearance of the hand writing on the wall during the feast (Mene, Mene, Tekel, Uparsin) is a direct consequence of the king's actions at the banquet, signaling the imminent downfall of his kingdom. Therefore, the mishteh in Daniel 5 functions as a powerful theological symbol of:
* **Human Hubris:** The self-exalting pride of earthly rulers who disregard divine authority.
* **Sacrilege and Profanity:** The dire consequences of treating what is holy with contempt.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** God's active involvement in human history, bringing down kingdoms and judging unrighteousness even in moments of perceived human triumph.
The narrative contrasts this decadent, idolatrous mishteh with the righteous feasts and celebrations ordained by God in the Torah, underscoring the spiritual dangers inherent in unchecked indulgence and rebellion.
### Summary
The Aramaic term H4961 (mishteh) denotes a "banquet" or "drinking party," mirroring the Hebrew `{{H4960}}`. Its most significant occurrences are found in [[Daniel 5]], where it describes King Belshazzar's opulent and sacrilegious feast. This mishteh is portrayed as a scene of extreme royal extravagance, excessive drinking, and, critically, the desecration of holy temple vessels. Theologically, this specific banquet serves as a potent symbol of human pride and idolatry, directly preceding and precipitating divine judgment upon Belshazzar and his kingdom. It powerfully illustrates God's ultimate sovereignty over human affairs and the severe consequences of profaning that which is sacred, transforming a seemingly ordinary social event into a dramatic and pivotal moment of divine wrath and historical change.
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