Biblical Basis for Birthday Celebrations
The Bible records instances of birthday celebrations, primarily among non-Israelite cultures, and notes their association with feasting and special honors [1, 3, 4]. For example, Pharaoh's birthday is mentioned in Genesis 40:20, where he "lifted up the head" of his chief butler and baker [6]. This event involved a feast and the restoration of the butler to his position, while the baker was executed [6]. This suggests that such celebrations were significant occasions, often marked by royal decrees or judgments.
Another notable biblical account of a birthday celebration is that of Herod Antipas, mentioned in Matthew 14:6 and Mark 6:21. During this feast, Salome danced, leading to Herod's rash promise and the subsequent beheading of John the Baptist [1, 4]. Some scholars suggest that the feast might have commemorated Herod's accession to the throne rather than his birth, as such events were also called "the day of the king" [1]. John Gill notes that while Gentiles celebrated the birthdays of princes, Jews generally did not, considering them among the feasts of idolaters [9].
Job's sons are also described as feasting "every one his day" (Job 1:4), which is interpreted by some as referring to their birthdays [1, 7]. This passage suggests a pattern of familial celebration and harmony among Job's children [7].
While the Old Testament details numerous "appointed feasts" or "feasts of the Lord" instituted by God for the Israelites, such as the Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, these were annual religious observances rather than individual birthday celebrations [2, 3, 5]. These national feasts were times of thankfulness and required attendance, especially for males [2].
Early Christian tradition, as seen in Lactantius, mentions the celebration of "the birthday" on the twenty-fifth of the ninth month, which refers to the birth of Christ (Christmas), followed by Epiphany [8]. This indicates that while individual birthdays are not commanded for celebration in the Bible, the concept of commemorating significant births, particularly that of Christ, became part of Christian practice.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Birthday — The custom of observing birthdays is very ancient, (Genesis 40:20; Jeremiah 20:15) and in (Job 1:4) etc., we read that Job's sons "feasted every one his day." In Persia birthdays were celebrated with peculiar honors and banquets, and in Egypt those of the king were kept with great pomp. It is very probable that in (Matthew 14:6) the feast to commemorate Herod's accession is intended, for we know that such feasts were common, and were called "the day of the king." (Hosea 7:5)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Feasts, the Anniversary — Instituted by God -- Ex 23:14. Enumerated -- Ex 23:15,16. Called Appointed feasts. -- Isa 1:14. Feasts of the Lord. -- Le 23:4. Solemn feasts. -- 2Ch 8:13; La 1:4. Solemn meetings. -- Isa 1:13. Were a time of thankfulness -- Ps 122:4. All males to attend -- Ex 23:17; 34:23. Children commenced attending, when twelve years old -- Lu 2:42. Females often attended -- 1Sa 1:3,9; Lu 2:41. The Jews attended gladly -- Ps 122:1,2. The Jews went up to, in large companies -- Ps 42:4; Lu 2:44. The dangers and difficulties encountered in going up to, allu”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Feast — As a mark of hospitality (Gen. 19:3; 2 Sam. 3:20; 2 Kings 6:23); on occasions of domestic joy (Luke 15:23; Gen. 21:8); on birthdays (Gen. 40:20; Job 1:4; Matt. 14:6); and on the occasion of a marriage (Judg. 14:10; Gen. 29:22). Feasting was a part of the observances connected with the offering up of sacrifices (Deut. 12:6, 7; 1 Sam. 9:19; 16:3, 5), and with the annual festivals (Deut. 16:11). "It was one of the designs of the greater solemnities, which required the attendance of the people at the sacred tent, that the oneness of the nation might be maintained”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Birth-day — The observance of birth-days was common in early times (Job 1:4, 13, 18). They were specially celebrated in the land of Egypt (Gen. 40:20). There is no recorded instance in Scripture of the celebration of birth-days among the Jews. On the occasion of Herod's birth-day John the Baptist was beheaded (Matt. 14:6).”
- Leviticus “For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you. You shall eat of its increase out of the field. -- Leviticus 25:12”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 40:20: Pharaoh's birthday - The distinguishing a birthday by a feast appears from this place to have been a very ancient custom. It probably had its origin from a correct notion of the immortality of the soul, as the commencement of life must appear of great consequence to that person who believed he was to live for ever. St. Matthew (Mat 14:6) mentions Herod's keeping his birthday; and examples of this kind are frequent to the present time in most nations. Lifted up the head of the chief butler, etc. - By lifting up the head, probably no more is meant than bringing them”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 1:4: every one his day--namely, the birthday (Job 3:1). Implying the love and harmony of the members of the family, as contrasted with the ruin which soon broke up such a scene of happiness. The sisters are specified, as these feasts were not for revelry, which would be inconsistent with the presence of sisters. These latter were invited by the brothers, though they gave no invitations in return.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius — A CATALOGUE OF THE FEASTS OF THE LORD WHICH ARE TO BE KEPT, AND WHEN EACH OF THEM OUGHT TO BE OBSERVED.: XIII. Brethren, observe the festival days; and first of all the birthday which you are to celebrate on the twenty-fifth of the ninth month; after which let the Epiphany be to you the most honoured, in which the Lord made to you a display of His own Godhead, and let it take place on the sixth of the tenth month; after which the fast of Lent is to be observed by you as containing a memorial of our Lord's mode of life and legi”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 14:6: But when Herod's birthday was kept,.... The birthdays of princes, both of their coming into the world, and accession to the throne of government, were kept by the Gentiles; as by the Egyptians, Gen 40:20 and by the (n) Persians, and Romans (o), and other nations, but not by the Jews; who reckon these among the feasts of idolaters. "These (say they (p)) are the feasts of idolaters; the "Calends", and the "Saturnalia", the time kept in memory of subduing a kingdom (or when a king takes possession of it, the day of his accession), , "and the birthday of kings" (when t”