Cracknels are mentioned in the Bible as a type of food, specifically a form of baked goods or cakes. The term "cracknels" appears in the context of provisions and sustenance, reflecting the dietary customs and practices of ancient times.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to cracknels is found in 1 Kings 14:3, where Jeroboam's wife is instructed to take a gift to the prophet Ahijah: "Take ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy." . In this passage, the word "cakes" is often understood to refer to cracknels, indicating a type of baked good that was part of the offering.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, bread and baked goods were staple foods, essential to daily life and often used in religious and social contexts. Cracknels, as a form of cake or biscuit, would have been made from basic ingredients such as flour, water, and possibly oil or honey, which were common in the region. The preparation of such items would have involved baking, a practice well-established in ancient Israelite society.

Cracknels, like other baked goods, were not only consumed as part of regular meals but also used in offerings and gifts, as seen in the account of Jeroboam's wife. This reflects the cultural importance of food in establishing and maintaining relationships, both human and divine.

Symbolism and Significance:

In the biblical narrative, food items like cracknels often carry symbolic weight. They can represent hospitality, provision, and the sustenance provided by God. The inclusion of cracknels in the gift to the prophet Ahijah underscores the importance of offering valuable and meaningful gifts when seeking divine insight or favor.

The use of cracknels in this context also highlights the role of women in preparing and presenting food, a task that was central to family and community life in ancient Israel. The act of bringing such provisions to a prophet signifies respect and reverence for God's messengers.

Conclusion:

While cracknels are mentioned only briefly in the Bible, their inclusion in the narrative provides insight into the daily life and religious practices of the ancient Israelites. As a form of sustenance and offering, cracknels exemplify the interconnectedness of food, faith, and culture in biblical times.Cracknels

A sort of hard brittle cakes, 1 Kings 14:3.

Was it for this He Sent Souls, that Some Should Infest the ...
... out delicate dainties for the palate; that in cooking fowls they should know how
to catch the fat as it drips; that they should make cracknels and sausages ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/42 was it for this.htm

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

Cracknel
... Occurs in 1 Kings 14:3, where Jeroboam bids his wife go to Abijah to inquire concerning
their son: "And take with thee ten loaves and cracknels" (King James ...
/c/cracknel.htm - 6k

Cake (25 Occurrences)
... "Cracknels," a kind of crisp cakes, were among the things Jeroboam directed his
wife to take with her when she went to consult Ahijah the prophet at Shiloh (1 ...
/c/cake.htm - 17k

Cracks (9 Occurrences)

/c/cracks.htm - 9k

Mouldy (2 Occurrences)
... 12). The Hebrew word here rendered "mouldy" (nikuddim) is rendered "cracknels"
in 1 Kings 14:3, and denotes a kind of crisp cake. ...
/m/mouldy.htm - 7k

Cruse (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 14:3 And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey,
and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child. ...
/c/cruse.htm - 12k

Bread (433 Occurrences)
... and brown. (5) The precise nature of the cracknels of 1 Kings 14:3 (the
American Standard Revised Version "cakes") is not known. A ...
/b/bread.htm - 58k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus