UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: festival, feast, celebration

Semantic entry: 51.2

Semantic domains: Festivals

Definition: the events associated with the celebration of a festival or feast

Notes: Though various celebrations of the Jewish religious year have traditionally been called ‘feasts,’ it would be wrong to use a term which would suggest gluttony or wasteful abundance of food. The emphasis should be upon the ceremonial character of the eating rather than upon the extent of what was eaten. Therefore, it may be better in a number of languages to use terms referring to ‘celebrations’ or ‘festivals,’ since the festivities of such gatherings were far more important than the feasting.