The new manners and customs of bible times

What a fascinating topic! The Bible is full of cultural and social norms that may seem foreign to us today. Here's a brief overview of some of the new manners and customs of Bible times:

Greetings and Salutations

• In ancient Israel, people would greet each other with a kiss on the cheek (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20).
• In the Mediterranean region, people would use the right hand to greet each other, as the left hand was considered unclean (Matthew 26:49).
• When meeting someone of higher social status, people would bow or prostrate themselves (Luke 17:1).

Table Manners

• In ancient Israel, people would eat with their right hand, as the left hand was considered unclean (Deuteronomy 3:25).
• Bread was a staple food, and it was customary to break bread before eating (Matthew 14:19, Acts 27:35).
• Wine was a common beverage, and it was often served at meals (Matthew 26:29, Luke 22:18).
• It was considered impolite to eat with your left hand or to eat with your mouth open (1 Corinthians 11:21).

Social Hierarchy

• In ancient Israel, social hierarchy was based on birth, wealth, and occupation (1 Samuel 9:2, Luke 1:5).
• The wealthy and powerful would often sit at the head of the table, while the poor and marginalized would sit at the foot (Matthew 20:20-28).
• Women were generally subordinate to men and were expected to be submissive and obedient (Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Peter 3:1-6).

Dress and Adornment

• In ancient Israel, people would often wear simple, loose-fitting garments (Matthew 11:21, Mark 6:9).
• The wealthy would wear more elaborate and expensive clothing, such as fine linens and purple dye (Matthew 9:20, Mark 15:17).
• Jewelry was not commonly worn, except for the occasional piece of gold or silver (Exodus 32:2-3, 1 Peter 3:3-4).

Personal Hygiene

• In ancient Israel, people would often bathe in public baths or rivers (Matthew 3:13-15, Mark 1:9).
• The wealthy would have access to private baths and hot water, while the poor would have to make do with public facilities (Luke 7:36-50).
• It was considered impolite to wear perfume or fragrances in public, as it was seen as a sign of vanity (Matthew 6:17-18).

Respect for Elders

• In ancient Israel, respect for elders was a key aspect of social etiquette (Leviticus 19:32, 1 Timothy 5:1-2).
• Elders were often revered as authorities and were expected to be respected and obeyed (Matthew 15:1-2, Mark 7:1-5).
• It was considered impolite to speak out of turn or to contradict an elder (1 Timothy 5:1-2).

These are just a few examples of the new manners and customs of Bible times. Understanding these cultural norms can help us better appreciate the context and meaning of the biblical texts.