Eats
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In the Bible, the act of eating is not merely a physical necessity but often carries significant spiritual and symbolic meanings. From the earliest chapters of Genesis to the prophetic visions in Revelation, eating is depicted as an act that can either honor or dishonor God, depending on the context and the heart of the individual.

Creation and Provision

The concept of eating is introduced in the creation narrative. God provides food for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, saying, "You may eat freely from every tree of the garden" (Genesis 2:16). This provision underscores God's care and the abundance of His creation. However, the command also includes a restriction: "But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:17). The act of eating from this tree leads to the fall of man, illustrating how eating can be an act of obedience or disobedience.

Covenant and Community

In the Old Testament, eating is often associated with covenant and community. The Passover meal, for instance, is a significant event where the Israelites are commanded to eat the Passover lamb as a remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12:8-11). This meal is a communal act that reinforces their identity as God's chosen people and their reliance on His salvation.

The dietary laws given in Leviticus also highlight the importance of eating in maintaining holiness and separation from pagan practices. These laws dictate what is clean and unclean, teaching the Israelites to honor God in their daily lives, even in their eating habits (Leviticus 11).

Wisdom and Moderation

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Proverbs, often addresses the topic of eating. Proverbs 23:20-21 warns against gluttony and drunkenness, advising, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty" . This reflects a broader biblical principle that eating should be done in moderation and with self-control.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry frequently involves meals, which become opportunities for teaching and fellowship. The feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) and the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28) are pivotal moments where eating is linked to spiritual truths. Jesus declares Himself the "bread of life" (John 6:35), indicating that true sustenance comes from Him.

The Apostle Paul addresses issues of eating in the context of Christian liberty and conscience. In 1 Corinthians 8, he discusses the eating of food offered to idols, emphasizing that while "food does not bring us closer to God" (1 Corinthians 8:8), believers should be mindful of their actions' impact on others' consciences.

Eschatological Significance

The act of eating also has eschatological significance. The Book of Revelation describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, a future event where believers will dine with Christ in His kingdom (Revelation 19:9). This feast symbolizes the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the eternal fellowship between Christ and His Church.

Throughout Scripture, eating is a multifaceted act that encompasses physical, spiritual, and communal dimensions. It serves as a reminder of God's provision, a test of obedience, a means of fellowship, and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet to come.
Greek
4906. sunesthio -- to eat with
... eat with. Word Origin from sun and esthio Definition to eat with NASB
Word Usage ate (2), eat (2), eats (1). eat with. From sun ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4906.htm - 6k

2068. esthio -- to eat
... to edo (to eat) Definition to eat NASB Word Usage ate (21), consume (2), diet (1),
dine (1), does so (1), eat (96), eaten (2), eating (19), eats (11), feed (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2068.htm - 7k

5176. trogo -- to gnaw, munch, crunch
... a meal. Word Origin a prim. word Definition to gnaw, munch, crunch NASB
Word Usage eating (1), eats (5). eat. Probably strengthened ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5176.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
398. akal -- to eat
... 3), devours (7), dine (1), eat (398), eat freely (1), eaten (66), eaten at all
(2), eaten freely (1), eater (2), eater's (1), eating (25), eats (29), edible (2 ...
/hebrew/398.htm - 6k

3765. kirsem -- to tear off
... Word Origin from kasam Definition to tear off NASB Word Usage eats it away (1).
waste. From kacam; to lay waste -- waste. see HEBREW kacam. 3764, 3765. ...
/hebrew/3765.htm - 6k

Library

Jesus Eats the Last Supper with his Disciples
... THE NEW TESTAMENT JESUS EATS THE LAST SUPPER WITH HIS DISCIPLES. Judas Iscariot,
one of the twelve disciples, went to the high priests ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus eats the last supper.htm

If any one Shall Condemn Him who Eats Flesh...
... Canon II. If any one shall condemn him who eats flesh? If any one shall
condemn him who eats flesh, which is without blood and ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ii if any one.htm

Give us Today Our Needful Bread
... He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood hath life eternal, and I will raise him
up in the last day. for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xvii give us today.htm

On Sandals and Simplicity
... It does not so very much matter whether a man eats a grilled tomato or a plain tomato;
it does very much matter whether he eats a plain tomato with a grilled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/x on sandals and simplicity.htm

Christmas Day
... The heath eats up green grass and delicate flowers, The pine eats up the heath,
the grub the pine, The finch the grub, the hawk the silly finch; And man, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/christmas day.htm

Interpretation of "Tasting of Death. "
... is the practice at one time only to taste them, and at another to eat of them more
largely; so also, in the case of these loaves, one eats insufficiently only ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/33 interpretation of tasting of.htm

Of the Perplexity of a Heart which Loves Without Knowing Whether ...
... In this case he eats without taking any pleasure in his food, yet not without a
pleasure of a higher order and value, which is the pleasure of pleasing his ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xi of the perplexity.htm

Things Clean and Unclean According to the Law and the Gospel.
... not to the glory of God, nor in the name of Christ; for not only does the suspicion
that things have been sacrificed to idols condemn him who eats, but even ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/12 things clean and unclean.htm

Another Kind of Men Living Together in Cities. Fasts of Three Days ...
... name of apostle. [148] Him that eats not no one despises; him that eats no
one judges; he who is weak eats herbs. Many who are strong ...
/.../chapter 33 name kind of.htm

The Ten Lepers
... Truly thou knowest my necessities before I ask, and my ignorance in asking?"Or,
like the stalled ox, which eats, and eats, and eats, and never thanks the ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxviii the ten lepers.htm

Thesaurus
Eats (57 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eats (57 Occurrences). Matthew 24:49 and should begin
to beat his fellow servants, while he eats and drinks with drunkards; (WEY RSV). ...
/e/eats.htm - 24k

Drinks (28 Occurrences)
... Drinks (28 Occurrences). Matthew 24:49 and should begin to beat his fellow
servants, while he eats and drinks with drunkards; (WEY RSV). ...
/d/drinks.htm - 14k

Abstains (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:3 Let not him who eats certain food look down upon him who abstains from
it, nor him who abstains from it find fault with him who eats it; for God ...
/a/abstains.htm - 7k

Unworthy (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 11:27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord's cup in
a manner unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the ...
/u/unworthy.htm - 9k

Forever (426 Occurrences)
... heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes ... died. He
who eats this bread will live forever." (WEB NAS NIV). John ...
/f/forever.htm - 36k

Accepted (82 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 14:3 Don't let him who eats despise him who doesn't eat. Don't let
him who doesn't eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. (WEB NAS NIV) ...
/a/accepted.htm - 31k

Doesn't (300 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Romans 14:3 Don't let him who eats despise him who doesn't eat. Don't let
him who doesn't eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. (WEB). ...
/d/doesn't.htm - 34k

Yeast (48 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:15 "'Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you
shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from ...
/y/yeast.htm - 21k

Observes (14 Occurrences)
... He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn't eat, to
the Lord he doesn't eat, and gives God thanks. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/o/observes.htm - 10k

Leavened (16 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:15 "'Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you
shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from ...
/l/leavened.htm - 12k

Resources
What did Jesus mean when He said we must eat His flesh and drink His blood? | GotQuestions.org

What is the importance of the Lord's supper / Christian Communion? | GotQuestions.org

Should wine or grape juice be used for communion? | GotQuestions.org

Eats: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Eats (57 Occurrences)

Matthew 24:49
and should begin to beat his fellow servants, while he eats and drinks with drunkards;
(WEY RSV)

Mark 2:16
The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"
(WEB DBY)

Mark 14:18
As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me-he who eats with me."
(WEB)

Luke 15:2
The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them." The Good News According to John
(WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV)

John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
(WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)

John 6:54
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
(WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

John 6:56
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him.
(WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

John 6:57
As the ever-living Father has sent me, and I live because of the Father, so also he who eats me will live because of me.
(WEY DBY NAS RSV)

John 6:58
This is the bread which came down out of heaven-not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever."
(WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV)

John 13:18
I don't speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled,'He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.'
(WEB WEY DBY NAS)

Romans 14:2
One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
(WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 14:3
Don't let him who eats despise him who doesn't eat. Don't let him who doesn't eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.
(WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 14:6
He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn't eat, to the Lord he doesn't eat, and gives God thanks.
(WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 14:20
For the sake of meat do not destroy the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil to that man who eats while stumbling in doing so.
(DBY NAS RSV)

Romans 14:23
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn't of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. (24) Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, (25) but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; (26) to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
(WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 11:21
for it is his own supper of which each of you is in a hurry to partake, and one eats like a hungry man, while another has already drunk to excess.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 11:27
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord's cup in a manner unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
(WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 11:28
and let a man be proving himself, and so of the bread let him eat, and of the cup let him drink;
(See NIV)

1 Corinthians 11:29
For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn't discern the Lord's body.
(WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 12:15
"'Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 12:19
Seven days shall there be no yeast found in your houses, for whoever eats that which is leavened, that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a foreigner, or one who is born in the land.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 7:18
If any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him who offers it. It will be an abomination, and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 7:20
but the soul who eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that belongs to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 7:21
When anyone touches any unclean thing, the uncleanness of man, or an unclean animal, or any unclean abomination, and eats some of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which belong to Yahweh, that soul shall be cut off from his people.'"
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 7:25
For whoever eats the fat of the animal, of which men offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh, even the soul who eats it shall be cut off from his people.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 7:27
Whoever it is who eats any blood, that soul shall be cut off from his people.'"
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 11:40
He who eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. He also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 14:47
He who lies down in the house shall wash his clothes; and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 17:10
"'Any man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who eats any kind of blood, I will set my face against that soul who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 17:14
For as to the life of all flesh, its blood is with its life: therefore I said to the children of Israel, "You shall not eat the blood of any kind of flesh; for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off."
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 17:15
"'Every person that eats what dies of itself, or that which is torn by animals, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening: then he shall be clean.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 19:8
but everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the holy thing of Yahweh, and that soul shall be cut off from his people.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 22:14
"'If a man eats something holy unwittingly, then he shall add the fifth part of its value to it, and shall give the holy thing to the priest.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 13:32
They brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the children of Israel, saying, "The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people who we saw in it are men of great stature.
(WEB)

1 Samuel 14:24
The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged of my enemies." So none of the people tasted food.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 14:28
Then one of the people answered, and said, "Your father directly commanded the people with an oath, saying,'Cursed is the man who eats food this day.'" The people were faint.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 19:35
I am this day fourscore years old; can I discern between good and bad? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
(See RSV NIV)

Job 5:5
whose harvest the hungry eats up, and take it even out of the thorns. The snare gapes for their substance.
(WEB)

Job 39:24
He eats up the ground with fierceness and rage, neither does he stand still at the sound of the trumpet.
(WEB NIV)

Job 40:15
"See now, behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox.
(WEB NAS RSV)

Psalms 80:13
The boar out of the wood ravages it. The wild animals of the field feed on it.
(See NAS)

Psalms 106:20
Thus they exchanged their glory for an image of a bull that eats grass.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 13:2
A man shall eat good from the fruit of his mouth; but the desire of the faithless is violence.
(See RSV)

Proverbs 13:25
The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
(WEB)

Proverbs 30:20
"So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says,'I have done nothing wrong.'
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Ecclesiastes 3:13
But also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy pleasure for all his labour, is the gift of God.
(See NAS)

Ecclesiastes 4:5
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
(See RSV)

Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Ecclesiastes 5:17
All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Ecclesiastes 6:2
a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
(WEB)

Isaiah 9:20
And one snatcheth on the right hand, and is hungry; and he eateth on the left hand, and is not satisfied; they eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
(See NAS)

Isaiah 28:4
The fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley, shall be like the first-ripe fig before the summer; which someone picks and eats as soon as he sees it.
(WEB RSV)

Isaiah 29:8
It will be like when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his hunger isn't satisfied; or like when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and behold, he is faint, and he is still thirsty. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like that.
(WEB)

Isaiah 44:16
He burns part of it in the fire. With part of it, he eats meat. He roasts a roast, and is satisfied. Yes, he warms himself, and says, "Aha! I am warm. I have seen the fire."
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 59:5
They hatch adders' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he who eats of their eggs dies; and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 31:30
But everyone shall die for his own iniquity: every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 18:11
And he all those hath not done, For even on the mountains he hath eaten, And the wife of his neighbour he hath defiled,
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Eats

Related Terms

Gutter (3 Occurrences)

Ebal (8 Occurrences)

Overhang (1 Occurrence)

Drip (12 Occurrences)

Balustrade (1 Occurrence)

Swallow (38 Occurrences)

Shoe (13 Occurrences)

Head (4291 Occurrences)

Eats (57 Occurrences)

Eating: The Host Acting As Waiter
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