In the context of the Bible, the term "edible" refers to substances that are fit for consumption according to the dietary laws and guidelines presented in the Scriptures. The Bible provides various instructions regarding what is considered edible, often reflecting spiritual, cultural, and health considerations.

Old Testament Dietary Laws

The Old Testament, particularly in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, outlines specific dietary laws given to the Israelites. These laws distinguish between clean and unclean animals, determining what is permissible to eat. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 provide detailed lists of animals that are considered clean and thus edible. For example, Leviticus 11:3 states, "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud."

Fish with fins and scales are deemed edible, as noted in Leviticus 11:9: "Of all the creatures that live in the water, whether in the seas or the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales." Conversely, creatures without these characteristics are considered unclean and not edible.

Prohibited Foods

Certain animals are explicitly prohibited as food. Leviticus 11:7-8 mentions the pig: "And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you." Similarly, birds of prey, scavengers, and certain insects are also listed as unclean.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the approach to dietary laws shifts, particularly with the advent of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. In Mark 7:18-19, Jesus addresses the issue of clean and unclean foods, stating, "Are you still so dull? He asked. Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and then it is eliminated." This passage suggests a move away from the strict dietary laws of the Old Testament.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in Romans 14:14, where he writes, "I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean." This indicates a shift towards personal conviction and the understanding that all foods are permissible, though believers are encouraged to be considerate of others' consciences.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

The concept of what is edible in the Bible often carries symbolic and spiritual lessons. For instance, the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16) symbolizes God's provision and sustenance. Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life" in John 6:35, emphasizing spiritual nourishment over physical sustenance.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on what is edible reflects a journey from strict dietary laws to a more liberated understanding under the New Covenant. While the Old Testament provides specific guidelines for the Israelites, the New Testament emphasizes spiritual purity and the freedom found in Christ, allowing believers to focus on the heart rather than external observances.1. (a.) Fit to be eaten as food; eatable; esculent; as, edible fishes.

2. (n.) Anything edible.

1034. brosimos -- edible
... edible. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: brosimos Phonetic Spelling:
(bro'-sim-os) Short Definition: eatable, suitable for food Definition: eatable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1034.htm - 6k

4621. sitos -- grain
... wheat, grain. 4621 -- a generic term for any edible grain -- typically (), but
sometimes barley, etc. Word Origin a prim. word Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4621.htm - 6k

3131. manna -- manna
... manna. Of Hebrew origin (man); manna (ie Man), an edible gum -- manna. see HEBREW
man. (manna) -- 4 Occurrences. 3130, 3131. manna. 3132 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3131.htm - 7k

398. akal -- to eat
... 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), enjoys (2 ...
/hebrew/398.htm - 6k

Footnotes:
... {111b} Steatornis Caripensis. {115a} Gynerium saccharoides. {115b} Xanthosoma;
a huge plant like our Arums, with an edible root. {115c} Costus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/footnotes .htm

Concerning Earth and Its Products.
... Again, amongst plants and herbs some are fruit bearing, others edible, others fragrant
and flowery, given to us for our enjoyment, for example, the rose and ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter x concerning earth and its.htm

The Second Day in Passion-Week - the Barren Fig-Tree - the ...
... the fact that it was in leaf, which is quite unusual at that season on the Mount
of Olives, [5082] The old fruit would, of course, have been edible, and in ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the second day.htm

How the Steps in the Passion of the Saviour were Predetermined in ...
... But why call His body bread, and not rather (some other edible thing, say) a
melon, [5086] which Marcion must have had in lieu of a heart! ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xl how the steps in.htm

Barren Fig-Tree. Temple Cleansed.
... usually appears before the leaves, the leaves were a promise that fruit might be
found, and the fruit, though not perfectly ripe, is considered edible when the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cvi barren fig-tree temple cleansed.htm

Was it for this He Sent Souls, that Some Should Infest the ...
... ice." [Our Scottish translators have used their local word, "iced haggises:" I have
put puddings instead, which gives us, at least, an idea of something edible ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/42 was it for this.htm

As God is the Author of Patience So the Devil is of Impatience.
... After the edible rain of the manna, after the watery following [9072] of the rock,
they despair of the Lord in not enduring a three-days' thirst; [9073] for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/of patience/chapter v as god is the.htm

The Nuns of the Primitive Church
... recluse, dwelling, like an animal, in a hollow tree, or a drove of half wild and
wholly maniacal humans who subsisted by browsing on such edible roots as they ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/vi the nuns of the.htm

What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and ...
... I find fewer varieties of vegetables than I could have conceived in so large a country.
Edible vegetables are scarce, and fruit far from plentiful. ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xii what carey did.htm

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
... Adam greatly exceeded in strength that of the first, for Adam abstained as to a
particular fruit, but Christ fasted as to all things edible], he afterward ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xix jesus tempted in the.htm

Edible (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Fit to be eaten as food; eatable; esculent; as,
edible fishes. 2. (n.) Anything edible. ...Edible (2 Occurrences). ...
/e/edible.htm - 7k

Kernel (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The inner part of a grain or seed, often the edible part; all that is within
the seed walls; the edible substance contained in the shell of a nut; hence ...
/k/kernel.htm - 8k

Fowl (73 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Any bird; esp., any large edible bird.
2. (n.) Any domesticated bird used as food, as a hen, turkey ...
/f/fowl.htm - 36k

Cereal (124 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Pertaining to grasses with edible seeds,
as wheat, maize, rice, etc., or to their seeds or grain. ...
/c/cereal.htm - 36k

Edict (22 Occurrences)

/e/edict.htm - 14k

Thorn (30 Occurrences)
... curse on the ground for sin. The Talmud suggests that these must be edible
and are therefore artichokes. The removal of them and ...
/t/thorn.htm - 35k

Vegetable (3 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A plant used or cultivated for food for man or domestic animals, as the
cabbage, turnip, potato, bean, dandelion, etc.; also, the edible part of such a ...
/v/vegetable.htm - 8k

Gourd (4 Occurrences)
... its familiar poisonous properties, as a drastic cathartic, made it unlikely that
under any circumstances its fruit could be mistaken for any edible gourd; it is ...
/g/gourd.htm - 12k

Grape (20 Occurrences)
... VINE.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A well-known edible berry growing
in pendent clusters or bunches on the grapevine. The ...
/g/grape.htm - 13k

Wild (147 Occurrences)
... its familiar poisonous properties, as a drastic cathartic, made it unlikely that
under any circumstances its fruit could be mistaken for any edible gourd; it is ...
/w/wild.htm - 50k

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