מִרְזַח mirzach "feast" of a particular kind attested widely in the Ancient Near East, though only twice in the Bible Jer 16:5 (as a funeral feast) and Am 6:7 (in a context of revelry). Usage of similar terms from Ugarit (13thC bce) and Palmyra (1st-3rdC ce), reinforced by widespread, but less developed references present a clear idea. A marzeach was a social grouping with a "president", comprised of the local elite, they held religious feasts, with several days of eating and drinking (anointing with oil is also mentioned). These feasts were often associated with the death of a member. (See Paul 211-212 and his references.)