Entertain
Easton's Bible Dictionary [1]
Deuteronomy 16:11,14 1 Samuel 9:13 Genesis 26:30 Genesis 21:8 Genesis 29:22 John 2:1 Matthew 14:6 2 Samuel 13:23 Judges 9:27 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 .)
King James Dictionary [2]
Enterta'In, L tenco.
1. To receive into the house and treat with hospitality, either at the table only, or with lodging also.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13
2. To treat with conversation to amuse or instruct by discourse properly, to engage the attention and retain the company of one, by agreeable conversation, discourse or argument. The advocate entertained his audience an hour, with sound argument and brilliant displays of eloquence. 3. To keep in one's service to maintain. He entertained ten domestics.
You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred.
This original and French sense is obsolete or little used.
4. To keep, hold or maintain in the mind with favor to reserve in the mind to harbor to cherish. Let us entertain the most exalted views of the Divine character. It is our duty to entertain charitable sentiments towards our fellow men. 5. To maintain to support as, to entertain a hospital. 6. To please to amuse to divert. David entertained himself with the meditation of God's law. Idle men entertain themselves with trifles. 7. To treat to supply with provisions and liquors, or with provisions and lodging, for reward. The innkeeper entertains a great deal of company.
ENTERTA'IN, n. Entertainment. Not in use.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( v. t.) To meet or encounter, as an enemy.
(2): ( 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.
(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 be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep.
(6): ( 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.
(7): ( n.) Entertainment.
(8): ( v. i.) To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously.
(9): ( v. t.) To lead on; to bring along; to introduce.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [4]
signifies (a) "to receive as a guest" (xenos, "a guest") rendered "entertained" in Acts 28:7 , RV, for AV, "lodged;" in Hebrews 13:2 , "have entertained;" (b) "to be astonished by the strangeness of a thing," Acts 17:20; 1—Peter 4:4,12 . See Lodge , STRANGE (think).
Hebrews 13:2Hospitality.
