scribes and Pharisees.—Mark 7:1-8; see WASHING OF HANDS.

At banquets or large feasts in the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, couches of different heights were placed around three sides of a table. This left the fourth side free so that those serving the food could gain access to the table. The Roman arrangement of table and couches was such that the highest couch was to the right hand of those serving the meal as they approached the table. A somewhat lower couch was straight ahead of them and the lowest couch was to their left.

At times four or five persons occupied one couch, but usually the number was three. Those partaking of the meal usually rested on the left elbow, probably on a cushion, with their heads toward the table. Food was normally taken with the right hand. The place of highest importance on a couch was that occupied by the person having no one behind him. To be in the “bosom position” in relation to someone else reclining at a meal meant being in front of him and would also signify having his favor. (John 13:23) The individual having a person in the bosom position could easily carry on a confidential conversation with him.

The customary three positions on each couch indicated that a person had the high, middle or low position on the couch. One having the low position on the third or lowest couch had the lowest position at the meal.—Compare Matthew 23:6; Luke 14:7-11.

At least on certain festive occasions a large meal or banquet might be under the supervision of a director (John 2:9) and could feature such entertainment as “a music concert and dancing.”—Luke 15:25.

PROPER VIEW OF MEALS

It is God’s will for man to enjoy food and drink. (Eccl. 2:24) But excesses are detestable to him. (Prov. 23:20, 21; Eccl. 10:17; Rom. 13:13; 1 Pet. 4:3; see DRUNKENNESS; GLUTTON.) Since partaking of meals in moderation can be most delightful, the condition of one who is joyful at heart is comparable to a continuous feast. (Prov. 15:15) Also, a loving atmosphere contributes to the enjoyment of a meal. Says the proverb: “Better is a dish of vegetables where there is love than a manger-fed bull and hatred along with it.”—Prov. 15:17.

FIGURATIVE USE

To eat a meal with someone else signified friendship and peace between the persons involved. Therefore one who was privileged to eat regularly at the table of a king was especially favored and enjoyed a very close bond with the monarch. (1 Ki. 2:7) This relationship Jesus promised his faithful disciples when telling them that they would eat and drink with him in his kingdom.—Luke 22:28-30; see also Luke 13:29; Revelation 19:9.

The destruction of those standing in opposition to God provides the occasion for a “great evening meal.” This meal is for the birds that will feed on the dead bodies of those slain. (Rev. 19:15-18) A very different meal is the great banquet for all the peoples mentioned at Isaiah 25:6.

MEARAH

(Me·arʹah) [a cave].

A Sidonian city or district that remained to be conquered after Israel’s campaign under Joshua’s leadership ended. (Josh. 13:2, 4) Two locations have been suggested as possible identifications. One is the village of Mogheiriyeh, about six miles (10 kilometers) NE of Sidon. The other is Mughar Jezzin (Arabic for “Caves of Jezzin”), a district of caves atop the Lebanon range and E of Sidon.

MEASURE

See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

MEASURING LINE

A string, rope or cord used for measuring. (1 Ki. 7:15, 23; Amos 7:17; Zech. 2:1, 2) Some measuring lines were apparently divided into cubits. (2 Chron. 4:2) The extent of a particular land area was determined by stretching or casting a measuring line upon its surface. (Compare Job 38:4, 5; Psalm 78:55; Micah 2:4, 5.) Builders used it, as when laying out a city (Jer. 31:38, 39; Zech. 1:16), and a wood carver might use it to set the dimensions of an object. (Isa. 44:13) On one occasion King David appears to have measured off the vanquished Moabites that were to be put to death from those to be preserved alive.—2 Sam. 8:2.

FIGURATIVE USE

In a figurative sense “measuring line” denotes a rule or standard of action. (Isa. 28:10, 13) For example, Jehovah made “justice the measuring line” when dealing with his unfaithful people. (Isa. 28:17) His applying the same measuring line to Jerusalem as he had to Samaria pointed to a similar desolation for Jerusalem. (2 Ki. 21:13; Lam. 2:8) His stretching out the “measuring line of emptiness” on Edom likewise betokened destruction, and the use of this measuring line meant apportioning the land to the animals that would begin to dwell in the desolated areas of Edom.—Isa. 34:5-17.

David regarded his relationship with Jehovah as his portion in life. This was a most satisfying inheritance, prompting him to say: “The measuring lines themselves have fallen for me in pleasant places.”—Ps. 16:5, 6; compare Numbers 18:20.

The heavenly bodies testify to God’s creative activity and, since their silent testimony fills the earth, the psalmist could say respecting them: “Into all the earth their measuring line has gone out.”—Ps. 19:1-4; Rom. 1:20.

MEBUNNAI

(Me·bunʹnai) [well built].

A Hushathite mighty man in David’s army. (2 Sam. 23:27) Apparently he is the same person as the Sibbecai mentioned in 2 Samuel 21:18 and 1 Chronicles 11:29; 20:4; 27:11.

MECHERATHITE

(Me·cheʹrath·ite) [dweller in Mecherah].

A term pertaining to a person or place named Mecherah, to which Hepher, one of David’s mighty men, was linked either by descent or former residence. (1 Chron. 11:26, 36) Some scholars suggest that “Mecherathite” may be a variation of “Maacathite,” as at 2 Samuel 23:34.

MECONAH

(Me·coʹnah) [foundation].

A town in southern Judah apparently near Ziklag and large enough to have dependent or “daughter” towns. (Neh. 11:25, 28) Precise identification is not possible; most suggested locations are based on textual emendations.

MEDAD

(Meʹdad) [affectionate, or, perhaps, beloved].

One of the seventy older men of Israel selected to assist Moses during the wilderness trek. While Medad and Eldad had not gone to the tent of meeting with the others, “they were among those written down.” Hence, when Jehovah took away some of the spirit that was upon Moses, putting it upon each of the seventy older men, these too received it and began acting as prophets in the camp. (Num. 11:16, 17, 24-26) Though Joshua suggested restraining Medad and Eldad, Moses said: “Are you feeling jealous for me? No, I wish that all of Jehovah’s people were prophets, because Jehovah would put his spirit upon them!”—Num. 11:27-29.

MEDAN

(Meʹdan) [strife, contention].

One of Abraham’s six sons by his concubine Keturah. (Gen. 25:1, 2; 1 Chron. 1:32) The Arabian tribe that descended from Medan has not been identified, and where it settled is unknown. However, “Medan” may be represented in “Badan,” a place S of Tema taken by Assyrian King Tiglath-pileser III in the eighth century B.C.E., as the Arabic “m” and “b” are frequently interchanged.