The Hebrews were a hospitable people, and were wont to welcome their guests with a feast, and dismiss them with another. Various entertainments were provided, enigmas were proposed, music, hired dancers and often excessive drinking occupied the time.
Hospitality is regarded by all oriental nations as one of the highest virtues and held sacred.
To this day among the Arabs, a fugitive is safe for a time if he gains the shelter of even an enemy's tent. The abuse of hospitality was a great crime. It was and is felt to be a sacred duty to receive, feed, lodge, and protect any traveler who might stop at the door. The stranger was treated as a guest, and men who had thus eaten together were bound to each other by the strongest ties of friendship, which descended to their heirs, confirmed by mutual presents. With the Greeks as well as the Hebrews hospitality was a sacred duty.