Triclinium
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Triclinium in the Bible?
A triclinium was a formal dining room in ancient Roman households where guests reclined on three couches arranged along three sides of a square or rectangular space. While early biblical texts describe seated dining, the practice of reclining became associated with Hellenistic and Roman luxury, often critiqued by Jewish prophets as a sign of moral decay and foreign influence among the elite.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the triclinium clarifies the cultural context of New Testament banquet scenes, such as the Parable of the Great Banquet, revealing how early Christians navigated social customs of hospitality and status while distinguishing their communal meals from the exclusive, reclining feasts of the Roman aristocracy.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Triclinium in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Triclinium clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.