Definition and Cultural Context:
Soup, a liquid food made by boiling or simmering meat, fish, or vegetables with various added ingredients, is a staple in many cultures. In biblical times, soup would have been a common meal, especially among the poorer classes, due to its simplicity and the ability to stretch limited resources. The preparation of soup in ancient Israel likely involved boiling ingredients in a pot over an open fire, using whatever was available, such as lentils, beans, or grains, often flavored with herbs and spices.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 25:29-34 · The most notable reference to soup in the Bible is the account of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew. The Berean Standard Bible recounts: "Once, when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. He said to Jacob, 'Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.' That is why he was also called Edom. 'First sell me your birthright,' Jacob replied. 'Look,' said Esau, 'I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?' But Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright." This passage highlights the significance of food in daily life and the impulsive decisions that can arise from physical hunger.

2. 2 Kings 4:38-41 · Another reference to soup is found in the account of Elisha and the poisoned stew. The Berean Standard Bible states: "When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting before him, he said to his servant, 'Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these men.' One of them went out into the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine from which he picked as many gourds as his garment would hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. And they poured it out for the men to eat. But when they tasted the stew, they cried out, 'There is death in the pot, O man of God!' And they could not eat it. Then Elisha said, 'Get some flour.' He threw it into the pot and said, 'Pour it out for the people to eat.' And there was nothing harmful in the pot." This miracle performed by Elisha demonstrates God's provision and care, even in the midst of scarcity and danger.

Symbolism and Lessons:
Soup in the Bible often symbolizes sustenance and provision. It serves as a reminder of God's care for His people, providing for their physical needs. The account of Esau and Jacob illustrates the importance of valuing spiritual blessings over immediate physical gratification. Meanwhile, Elisha's miracle with the poisoned stew underscores God's power to purify and protect His people from harm.

Historical and Theological Insights:
In ancient Israel, meals were communal events, and sharing food was an expression of fellowship and hospitality. Soup, being a simple and easily shared dish, would have been a common feature at such gatherings. The preparation and sharing of soup reflect the biblical values of community, hospitality, and the importance of meeting the needs of others.

Practical Application:
The biblical accounts involving soup encourage believers to prioritize spiritual blessings over temporary physical desires and to trust in God's provision. They also remind Christians of the importance of hospitality and caring for others, especially in times of need.1. (n.) A liquid food of many kinds, usually made by boiling meat and vegetables, or either of them, in water, -- commonly seasoned or flavored; strong broth.

2. (v. t.) To sup or swallow.

3. (v. t.) To breathe out.

4. (v. t.) To sweep. See Sweep, and Swoop.

6564. paraq -- broth
... Word Origin another reading for maraq, qv. broth From paraq; soup (as full of crumbed
meat) -- broth. See also marpe'. see HEBREW paraq. see HEBREW marpe'. ...
/hebrew/6564.htm - 5k

4839. maraq -- juice (stewed out of meat), broth
... broth. From maraq; soup (as if a rinsing) -- broth. See also paraq. see HEBREW maraq.
see HEBREW paraq. 4838, 4839. maraq. 4840 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4839.htm - 6k

5138. nazid -- something sodden or boiled, pottage
... stew (5). pottage. From zuwd; something boiled, ie Soup -- pottage. see HEBREW
zuwd. 5137b, 5138. nazid. 5139 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5138.htm - 6k

Lovely to a Poet or an Artist's Eye is the Unevenly-Built and ...
... always excellent, never went wrong because Babette had managed to put her doll in
one of the saucepans, or Henri had essayed to swim a paper boat in the soup. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/ii lovely to a poet.htm

The Right to Feel Superior
... "Oh? But what about soup or gravy? ... Chinese eat soup with a spoon, or drink it from
a bowl. "Well, chopsticks are awkward, in any case!" Awkward? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 10 the right to.htm

The Foundlings
... The next step was to institute in all the regions where famine was prevalent public
soup kitchens, where nourishing soup, made at the lowest possible cost, was ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 7 the foundlings.htm

Love Thy Neighbour
... There is a society for finding soup for the poor. Make your own soup. Give
it yourself; and if every one who gives his half-a-crown ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/love thy neighbour.htm

The Grey Sisters
... "It is of little use for us to run about the streets with bowls of soup," she would
say, "if we do not make the love of God the object of our effort. ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 6 the grey sisters.htm

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ...
... have listened to your Gospel; we are in want; show us thy faith by thy works.' This
we are endeavouring to do by providing for them suppers of soup and bread ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vii 1877-1879 they helped.htm

"There, Baby!" Said Diamond; "I'M So Happy that I Can Only Sing ...
... their mothers? It's like the pepper and salt that goes in the soup"-that's
it"-isn't it, mother? There's baby fast asleep! Oh ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 25 there baby said.htm

Jacob, a Prince of God.
... Esau. One day Esau came home from hunting tired and hungry, and smelled
the delicious soup of red lentils that Jacob was making. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter v jacob a prince.htm

But if You Come to the Conclusion that These Fables have Been ...
... a proverb ridiculing a worthless addition, which nullifies something in itself precious,
garum being a highly esteemed sauce (or perhaps soup), which would be ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/44 but if you come.htm

The Fallacy of the Young Nation
... But he has his own dim and delicate ideals; and he would not violate these for
money. He would not drink out of the soup-tureen, for money. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xviii the fallacy of the.htm

Soup (10 Occurrences)
...Soup (10 Occurrences). Genesis 25:29 And one day Jacob was cooking some soup
when Esau came in from the fields in great need of food; (BBE). ...
/s/soup.htm - 9k

Broth (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Liquid in which flesh (and sometimes other substances,
as barley or rice) has been boiled; thin or simple soup. Int. ...
/b/broth.htm - 8k

Sour (15 Occurrences)

/s/sour.htm - 12k

Drinking (114 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 2 Kings 4:40 Then they gave the men soup from the pot. And while
they were drinking the soup, they gave a cry, and said, O ...
/d/drinking.htm - 38k

Zuph (3 Occurrences)
... The Septuagint's Codex Alexandrinus has Soup; Lucian has Souph in 1 Samuel 1:1 b;
1 Chronicles 6:26 (11); Codex Vaticanus has Souphei; Codex Alexandrinus and ...
/z/zuph.htm - 9k

Oak-tree (11 Occurrences)
... 6:19 Then Gideon went in and made ready a young goat, and with an ephah of meal
he made unleavened cakes: he put the meat in a basket and the soup in which it ...
/o/oak-tree.htm - 10k

Ladle (11 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To take up and convey in a ladle; to dip with, or as with, a ladle; as,
to ladle out soup; to ladle oatmeal into a kettle. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/ladle.htm - 9k

Lentils (4 Occurrences)
... and the well-known food, Revalenta arabica, is simply one form, specially prepared;
`adas are highly esteemed in Palestine, and are used in soup and as a ...
/l/lentils.htm - 9k

Folded (19 Occurrences)
... Haggai 2:12 If anyone has some holy flesh folded in the skirt of his robe, will
bread or soup or wine or oil or any other food be made holy if touched by his ...
/f/folded.htm - 12k

Rich (140 Occurrences)
... drink which are high-seasoned or abound in oleaginous ingredients, or are sweet,
luscious, and high-flavored; as, a rich dish; rich cream or soup; rich pastry ...
/r/rich.htm - 37k

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