“Hospitality” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(guest treatment). Regulated (Lev. 19:33-34; 25:14-17; Deut. 15:7-11).
“Stranger” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(without). One away from his country (Gen. 23:4). One not a Jew (Ex. 20:10). One not of Aaron’s family (Num. 3:10). One not of royal blood (Matt. 17:25-26). One alienated or neglected (Psa. 49:8). But, in general, any naturalized foreigner in the Jewish State (Deut. 17:15). Strangers, in Hebrew acceptation, were numerous in Israel, owing to the mixed multitudes which were permitted to follow the wanderers in the wilderness, to the fact that very many Canaanites remained in the land, and to the liberal regulations respecting captives taken in war.
“Hospitality” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
This was a striking feature of oriental life, as seen practiced by Abraham in Genesis 18:2-8, and it continues in these days to a partial extent. It is enforced in the New Testament as a duty among Christians (Rom. 12:13; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:9). The fact is mentioned that by exercising hospitality “some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2).
“Stranger” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
1. This term was applied to any sojourning among the Israelites, who were not descendants of Israel. The law gave injunctions against the oppression of such (Num. 15:14-30).
2. Gentiles are also called “strangers” from the covenants of promise (Eph. 2:12), showing that the covenants made with Israel did in no wise embrace the Gentiles, though God’s grace at all times extended to them.
3. Those called strangers in 1 Peter 1:1 were Jews away from their own land: sojourners of the dispersion.
4. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament saints were and are strangers upon earth. David said, “I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were” (Psa. 39:12). They “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13). The same is true of the saints now (1 Pet. 2:11). Their citizenship is in heaven, and this earth is no longer their home or their rest.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Transliteration:
philonexia
Meaning:
from 5382; hospitableness
KJV Usage:
entertai n stranger, hospitality
“9. Bowing Hospitality” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Genesis 18:2-3. And when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, and said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant.
1. There are different modes of bowing in the East. In this case the word used (shachah) denotes complete prostration of the body. In this the person falls upon the knees, and then gradually inclines the body until the head touches the ground. See also Genesis 23:7,12; Genesis 42:6; Genesis 43:26.
2. There is in this text a beautiful illustration of Oriental hospitality. The company of the travelers is solicited as a personal favor to the host, and all the resources of the establishment are used for their entertainment. See Genesis 19:2-3; Judges 6:18; Judges 13:15; Job 31:32. Modern travelers often refer to the earnestness with which this hospitality is urged upon them at the present day. It is not always, however, to be regarded as unselfish; in many instances a return being expected from the traveler who is thus entertained. A recent writer says, “Arabs are still as fond as ever of exercising the virtue of hospitality. As they practice it, it is a lucrative speculation. The Bedaw sheikh, knowing that he must not nowadays expect to entertain angels unawares, takes a special care to entertain only such as can pay a round sum for the accommodation, or give their host a good dinner in return. The casual and impecunious stranger may, it is true, claim the traditional three days’ board and lodging; but he must be content with the scraps ‘which fall from the rich man’s table,’ and prepare to hear very outspoken hints of the undesirability of his presence” (Palmer's Desert of the Exodus, p. 486).
“435. Abuse of Hospitality” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Psalm 41:9. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
It is considered an act of great baseness among Eastern nations for anyone to do an evil deed against those who have shared his hospitality. This feeling is very ancient, and is often alluded to by ancient authors. The Saviour refers to it when he mentions the baseness of Judas, and cites this very passage from the Psalmist. John 13:18. See also Obadiah 7. Similar to this notion of the sacredness of hospitality, though more binding in its nature, was “the salt of the covenant.” See note on Leviticus 2:13 (#150).