δεῖπνον (deipnon)
deipnon
dinner
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word deipnon refers to the main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening. In the New Testament it appears sixteen times, with a notable concentration in the Gospels of Luke and John. It denotes a substantial dinner rather than a light snack, often serving as the setting for significant interactions between Jesus and his followers or critics.
While English translations sometimes use "supper" or "dinner," the term carries the weight of a formal gathering. This is evident in passages like Luke 14:16-24, where a host invites many guests to a large banquet, and in John 13, where Jesus washes his disciples' feet before the meal begins. The word also appears in Paul’s discussion of the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:20-21, linking the communal meal directly to Christian practice.
In Revelation, deipnon takes on a powerful metaphorical role. John describes two distinct feasts: the "great supper of God" in Revelation 19:17, where birds are called to eat the flesh of kings, and the "marriage supper of the Lamb" in Revelation 19:9. These images contrast judgment with salvation, showing how the ordinary act of sharing a meal becomes a profound symbol of God’s ultimate victory and the hope of eternal communion with Christ.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word deipnon refers to the main evening meal of the day, a time when families and friends gathered for substantial food and conversation. In the New Testament, this ordinary act of eating becomes a profound setting for Jesus’ most intimate teachings and actions. It is not merely about sustenance but about presence, community, and the breaking of social barriers.
Jesus used these dinner gatherings to model humility, as seen when He washed His disciples' feet before they ate (John 13:4). He also warned against using meals for status, urging us instead to invite those who cannot repay us (Luke 14:12). For Christians, sharing a meal is a reminder of God’s invitation to join His table. It points forward to the ultimate hope of eternal communion with Christ, described as the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
This word invites us to see our own gatherings as opportunities for grace. Whether it is a simple home-cooked dinner or a formal feast, the table can become a place where love is served and relationships are healed. It reminds us that God desires fellowship with us, not just ritual.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- supper9×
- a supper2×
- feasts,1×
- banquets,1×
- banquets1×
- a supper,1×
- a banquet1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δεῖπνον7×
- δείπνου4×
- δείπνοις,2×
- δεῖπνον,1×
- δείπνῳ1×
- δείπνοις1×
Key Verses
-
John 13:4
arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist.
This verse highlights Jesus’ act of humility as He rises from the meal to wash His disciples' feet, redefining leadership through service.
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Luke 14:12
He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back.
Jesus uses the context of a dinner invitation to teach radical generosity toward those who cannot return the favor.
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Revelation of John 19:9
He said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.’” He said to me, “These are true words of God.”
The term transforms into a powerful eschatological symbol, representing the joyful union of believers with Christ in eternity.