Visit
Visit [1]
( פָּקִד, ἐπισκέπτομαι ). Little mention is made in the Bible of ceremonies or complimentary visits of a social character. (See Courtesy). Guests were welcomed with water to wash their feet ( Genesis 18:4; Genesis 24:32; Judges 19:21; 1 Samuel 25:41; Luke 7:44, etc.; comp.; Shaw, Travels, p. 208); just as in modern times coffee, tobacco, and frequently other refreshments are offered, and the beard is sometimes sprinkled with perfumed water (Arvielux, 3, 186; Harmer, 2; 77, 83; 3, 179). A repast was speedily prepared ( Genesis 8:4; Judges 19:21; compo Niebluhr, Bed. p. 58; Arvielux, 4, 342), and the guest's animals were provided for ( Genesis 21:32; Judges 19:21). (See Hospitality). — Presents are common today in visits (Harmer, 2, 13). (See Gift). It was regarded as a sacred duty to visit the sick Siracch; 7:39; Matthew 25:36; Matthew 25:3), and the Talmudists had the proverb "To neglect to visit the sick is the same as to shed blood" (see Sch ö ttgen, Hor. Heb. 1, 230 sq.); a principle of humanity that was recognised even among the ‘ heathen (see Kupe, Observ. 1, 129 sq.).
