In the context of biblical times, the term "biscuits" as understood in modern culinary terms does not appear directly in the Scriptures. However, the concept of bread and similar baked goods is prevalent throughout the Bible, serving as a staple in the diet of ancient Near Eastern cultures. The closest biblical equivalent to what might be considered a "biscuit" today would be unleavened bread or cakes, which were common in biblical narratives.

Bread in Biblical Times

Bread was a fundamental part of the diet in biblical times, often made from wheat or barley. It was typically baked in flat, round loaves or cakes. The process of making bread involved grinding grain into flour, mixing it with water, and baking it on hot stones or in ovens. In the absence of leavening agents, unleavened bread was common, especially during specific religious observances.

Unleavened Bread

Unleavened bread holds significant religious symbolism in the Bible. It is most notably associated with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. In Exodus 12:15, the Israelites are commanded, "For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day, you are to remove the leaven from your houses, for whoever eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh day must be cut off from Israel." This bread, made without yeast, symbolizes purity and the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt.

Cakes and Baked Goods

The Bible also references cakes and other baked goods, which could be likened to modern-day biscuits. For instance, in 1 Kings 17:12-13, the widow of Zarephath tells Elijah, "As surely as the LORD your God lives, I do not have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." Elijah instructs her to make a small cake for him first, and God miraculously provides for her household.

Similarly, in Genesis 18:6, when Abraham receives three visitors, he instructs Sarah to "quickly prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread." This passage illustrates the hospitality customs of the time, where bread or cakes were offered to guests.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Bread, including its various forms like cakes, holds deep spiritual significance in the Bible. It is often used as a metaphor for God's provision and sustenance. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life" in John 6:35, saying, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." This statement underscores the spiritual nourishment and eternal life that Jesus offers to believers.

Conclusion

While the specific term "biscuits" is not found in the Bible, the concept of bread and similar baked goods is deeply woven into the fabric of biblical history and theology. These foods not only provided physical sustenance but also carried rich symbolic meanings that pointed to God's provision, hospitality, and the spiritual nourishment found in Christ.

An Objection on the Ease of that Abstinence in which a Man is ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XX. An objection on the ease of
that abstinence in which a man is sustained by two biscuits. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xx an objection on.htm

The Lad's Loaves in the Lord's Hands
... anchovies, by way of a relish! Five thousand people and five little biscuits
wherewith to feed them! The disproportion is enormous: if ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the lads loaves in the.htm

How, Even if a Large Sum of Money is Amassed by the Labour of Each ...
... many, yet he is no way puffed up, nor does he flatter himself on account of his
toil and this large gain from his labour, but, except two biscuits, [769] which ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiv how even if.htm

Of the Difficulty of Uniformity in Eating; and of the Gluttony of ...
... And you know that lastly your fellow citizen Benjamin most obstinately stuck to
this: as he would not every day partake of his two biscuits, nor, continually ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxiv of the difficulty.htm

Of the Excellence which the Aforesaid Old Man Showed in the System ...
... For which reason, a supply of food for seven days, ie, seven sets of biscuits were
set apart in a sort of hand-basket, [2109] and laid by on Saturday, that ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter iv of the excellence.htm

The Answer How we Should not Exceed the Proper Measure of Food.
... And so we shall keep clear of guilt on either hand if we observe this plan; viz.,
at the ninth hour to partake of one of the two biscuits which form our proper ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxvi the answer how.htm

Of the Best Plan for Our Daily Food.
... beans or only on vegetables and fruits, they proposed to all of them to partake
of bread alone, the right measure of which they fixed at two biscuits, so small ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xix of the best.htm

Shod for the Road
... of the great fortresses in continental countries, and you will find the store-rooms
full of ammunition and provisions; bread enough and biscuits enough, as it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/shod for the road.htm

Note a the Following Extract of a Letter I Received from the Rev. ...
... hungry. Some wanted coffee, some milk, some bread. We gave them the biscuits
we carried down, but could procure no milk for them. I ...
/.../note a the following extract.htm

The Revolution of 1911
... The Secretary of the Foreign Office supplied us with hard-boiled eggs and biscuits,
and made his exit, leaving in charge of the gentlemen of the party a packet ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xix the revolution of.htm

Biscuits (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Biscuits (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 14:3 And take
with thee ten loaves, and cakes, and a cruse of honey, and ...
/b/biscuits.htm - 6k

Mouldy (2 Occurrences)
... The meaning is that the bread of the Gibeonites had become dry and hard, hard as
biscuits, and thus was an evidence of the length of the journey they had ...
/m/mouldy.htm - 7k

Bakemeats (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Baked provisions (Genesis 40:17), literally "works of
the baker," such as biscuits and cakes. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/b/bakemeats.htm - 7k

Bake-meats (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Baked provisions (Genesis 40:17), literally "works of
the baker," such as biscuits and cakes. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/b/bake-meats.htm - 6k

Bishlam (1 Occurrence)

/b/bishlam.htm - 7k

Biscuit (3 Occurrences)

/b/biscuit.htm - 7k

Cracknel
... The Hebrew word is niqquddim, from naqadh, "to prick" or "mark"; most probably
cakes with holes pricked in them like our biscuits. ...
/c/cracknel.htm - 6k

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