Bread: (Of Deceit) Unlawful Gain
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In biblical literature, "bread of deceit" is a metaphorical expression that refers to wealth or gain acquired through dishonest or unethical means. This concept is rooted in the moral teachings of the Bible, which consistently emphasize integrity, honesty, and righteousness in all aspects of life, including economic transactions and personal conduct.

The phrase "bread of deceit" is notably found in Proverbs 20:17, which states, "Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel" . This proverb highlights the temporary satisfaction that may come from deceitful gain, contrasting it with the eventual consequences of such actions. The imagery of gravel in the mouth suggests discomfort, regret, and the ultimate futility of pursuing wealth through dishonest means.

The Bible frequently warns against the pursuit of unlawful gain, emphasizing that such actions are contrary to God's commandments and detrimental to one's spiritual well-being. In Proverbs 11:1, it is written, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight" . This verse underscores the importance of fairness and honesty in business dealings, reflecting God's desire for justice and integrity.

The New Testament also addresses the issue of deceitful gain. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, the apostle Paul warns, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" . Here, the focus is on the dangers of covetousness and the moral pitfalls associated with prioritizing wealth over righteousness.

The concept of "bread of deceit" serves as a cautionary reminder of the spiritual and ethical implications of pursuing wealth through dishonest means. It calls believers to reflect on their motivations and actions, urging them to seek contentment and provision through honest labor and trust in God's providence. The Bible consistently teaches that true fulfillment and peace come not from material wealth, but from a life lived in accordance with God's will and principles.

In summary, the "bread of deceit" symbolizes the fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying nature of wealth obtained through unethical practices. The biblical narrative encourages individuals to pursue integrity and righteousness, trusting that God will provide for their needs in a manner that honors Him and upholds His standards of justice and truth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 20:17
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter cxxx. (AD 412. )
... with which is the serpent, that with poisonous deceit persuaded man ... which I have
spoken of before ("bread" being used ... a way which, if it be not unlawful, is at ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxx a d 412.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine ... Give not a squint look to
any unlawful course, for the ... the wit and skill of such wicked men is deceit. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... to work vengeance on the spirits of deceit and of ... with pure water, and fed me with
bread and wine ... for wives, purifying them with an unlawful purification; and ...
/.../iii the testament of levi concerning.htm

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... use of no "philosophy and vain deceit after the ... perfection, nor quite so flagitious
[sinful, unlawful, wicked] as ... too much, "to eat nothing but bread and herbs ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

Book I.
... with tears, for thou hast given us the bread of tears ... up his soul to vanity, nor
used deceit unto his ... something ought to be given to the unlawful possessor of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book i.htm

Book Three the Story of his Student Days in Carthage, his ...
... spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the ... says, "Stolen waters are
sweet, and bread eaten in ... may become, after a time, unlawful"and something ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book three the story of.htm

Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels.
... 634]294, "which came down from Heaven," [635]499; in Heaven will be "directly" our
Bread and Wisdom ... Deceit, to be avoided, [939]442; instances of, [940]442. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... 247]73; used to give present proof of some prophecies, so to gain credit to ... to the
Father, [389]160; in what sense the Bread of Life ... Deceit, folly of, [738]150. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... figured is true, [316]460; Jacob's deceit was, [317 ... Bread, daily breaking of, at
Troas, the Eucharist ... Concubinage, for offspring's sake unlawful, [904]406; was ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It.
... unless we would charge God with deceit, we will ... judgment, so we deem it altogether
unlawful to bring ... but to Christ lurking invisibly under bread, impiously, by ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 of the lords.htm

Resources
What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35)? | GotQuestions.org

What was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the breaking of bread? | GotQuestions.org

Bread: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Bread

Bread by Idolaters

Bread in Times of Scarcity, Sold by Weight

Bread of Christ

Bread was Baked in Ovens

Bread was Baked: On Coals of Fire

Bread was Baked: On Hearths

Bread was Formed Into: Cakes

Bread was Formed Into: Loaves

Bread was Formed Into: Wafers

Bread was Kneaded

Bread with Water, the Food of Prisons

Bread: (Eating Without Scarceness) of Plenty

Bread: (Fulness of) of Abundance

Bread: (Of Adversity) Heavy Affliction

Bread: (Of Deceit) Unlawful Gain

Bread: (Of Idleness) Sloth

Bread: (Of Tears) Sorrow

Bread: (Of Wickedness) Oppression

Bread: (Partaking of) Communion of Saints

Bread: (Seeking of Begging) Extreme Poverty

Bread: (Want of) Extreme Poverty

Bread: (When Broken) the Death of Christ

Bread: Barley

Bread: Broken for Use

Bread: Called the Staff of Life

Bread: Christ

Bread: Corn Ground for Making

Bread: Crumb of, Used to Wipe the Fingers, Thrown Under the Table

Bread: Figurative

Bread: First Fruit of, offered to God

Bread: Given by God

Bread: How Prepared in Pans

Bread: How Prepared: Baked in Ovens

Bread: How Prepared: Cakes

Bread: How Prepared: Cracknels

Bread: How Prepared: Honey

Bread: How Prepared: Kneaded

Bread: How Prepared: Made Into Loaves

Bread: How Prepared: Mixed With Oil

Bread: How Prepared: On Coals

Bread: How Prepared: On Coals of Dung

Bread: How Prepared: On Hearths

Bread: How Prepared: Wafers

Bread: Kept in Baskets

Bread: Kinds of Bread of Affliction

Bread: Kinds of Leavened (Made With Yeast)

Bread: Kinds of Unleavened (Made Without Yeast)

Bread: Made by Men

Bread: Made by Women

Bread: Made of Barley

Bread: Made of Beans, Millet

Bread: Made of Manna (In the Wilderness)

Bread: Made of Wheat

Bread: Made of Wheat Flour

Bread: Making of, a Trade

Bread: Manna

Bread: Meal

Bread: Multitudes Miraculously Fed by Christ With

Bread: Nutritious and Strengthening

Bread: Offered With Sacrifices

Bread: Often Given As a Present

Bread: Often Put for the Whole Substance of Man

Bread: Ordinary, Called Common Bread

Bread: Placed on Table of Shew Bread

Bread: Plenty of, Promised to the Obedient

Bread: Publicly Sold

Bread: Sacred, Called Hallowed Bread

Bread: Sacrificed

Bread: Scarceness of, Sent As a Punishment

Bread: Served Round After Funerals

Bread: Sometimes Unleavened

Bread: Symbolical of the Body of Christ

Bread: The Principal Food Used by the Ancients

Bread: Traffic In

Bread: Troughs Used for Kneading

Bread: Usually Leavened

Bread: when Old, Dry and Mouldy

Bread: Yielded by the Earth

Tibbath

Related Terms

Show-bread (15 Occurrences)

Bread-maker (8 Occurrences)

Bread-makers (2 Occurrences)

Bread-basin (2 Occurrences)

Bread-meal (1 Occurrence)

Bread-paste (1 Occurrence)

Bread-basins (1 Occurrence)

Bread-corn (1 Occurrence)

Bread-making (1 Occurrence)

Barley-bread (1 Occurrence)

Bread-yeast (1 Occurrence)

Shew-bread (1 Occurrence)

Bake (13 Occurrences)

Cake (25 Occurrences)

Yeast (48 Occurrences)

Baked (26 Occurrences)

Camest (27 Occurrences)

Showbread (18 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)

Agape

Cooking (14 Occurrences)

Crust (3 Occurrences)

Arrangement (18 Occurrences)

Supply (40 Occurrences)

Supplied (22 Occurrences)

Basket (40 Occurrences)

Broke (153 Occurrences)

Containing (12 Occurrences)

Clusters (12 Occurrences)

Crumb

Abib (5 Occurrences)

Satiety (12 Occurrences)

Anxiety (24 Occurrences)

Cooked (35 Occurrences)

Buy (71 Occurrences)

Parched (37 Occurrences)

Satisfy (32 Occurrences)

Breaking (69 Occurrences)

Bit (46 Occurrences)

Blessing (357 Occurrences)

Broken (559 Occurrences)

Barley (35 Occurrences)

Succoth (18 Occurrences)

Zalmun'na (8 Occurrences)

Ate (138 Occurrences)

Bunches (7 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Beans (2 Occurrences)

Baking (4 Occurrences)

Bakers (6 Occurrences)

Beggar (5 Occurrences)

Celebrated (24 Occurrences)

Crumbs (8 Occurrences)

Continuing (24 Occurrences)

Companions (58 Occurrences)

Customary (8 Occurrences)

Appalment (10 Occurrences)

Amounts (12 Occurrences)

Summer (28 Occurrences)

Shew-loaves (1 Occurrence)

Sustained (20 Occurrences)

Sop (3 Occurrences)

Scant (4 Occurrences)

Alway (26 Occurrences)

Asses (68 Occurrences)

Consecrated (101 Occurrences)

Supplies (23 Occurrences)

Zalmunna (9 Occurrences)

Spent (76 Occurrences)

Yourselves (530 Occurrences)

Ziba (13 Occurrences)

Satisfied (110 Occurrences)

Zebah (9 Occurrences)

Yea (867 Occurrences)

Aught (52 Occurrences)

Alone (232 Occurrences)

Supper (17 Occurrences)

Vowed (34 Occurrences)

Bread: (Of Adversity) Heavy Affliction
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