Note 19 — II.

The expression is borrowed from the custom among the Jews of reclining instead of sitting at a banquet. The guest was stretched upon a couch, his left elbow resting upon a cushion close to the table, his feet being towards the outer side of the couch, which was away from the table. By slightly bending back his head he could touch with it the breast of the guest on his left hand, and speak to him in a low voice. Thus S. John bent back upon our Lord’s breast at the Last Supper to ask Him, “Lord, who is it?” and is therefore spoken of as “he who leant upon His breast at supper.” To sit therefore, or to rest in the bosom of Abraham, represented the happy lot of those who had passed to Paradise.