Topical Bible: Bread: Made of Wheat

◄ Bread: Made of Wheat ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Bread, a staple food in biblical times, holds significant spiritual and cultural importance throughout the Scriptures. Made primarily from wheat, bread is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing sustenance, provision, and divine blessing.

Wheat in Biblical Times

Wheat was one of the primary grains cultivated in ancient Israel and surrounding regions. It was highly valued for its nutritional content and versatility. The process of making bread from wheat involved harvesting the grain, threshing to separate the wheat from the chaff, and grinding it into flour. This flour was then mixed with water, and sometimes leaven, to form dough, which was baked into bread.

Biblical References

Wheat bread is often associated with God's provision and abundance. In Genesis 41:49, during the time of Joseph, Egypt stored up grain "like the sand of the sea," highlighting the importance of wheat as a resource. The Israelites, during their wilderness journey, longed for the bread of Egypt, as noted in Exodus 16:3, which underscores its role as a symbol of sustenance.

In the sacrificial system, wheat flour was a key ingredient in grain offerings. Leviticus 2:1 states, "When anyone presents a grain offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour." This offering was a sign of gratitude and dedication to God, reflecting the significance of wheat as a divine gift.

Bread as a Symbol of Life and Provision

Bread made from wheat is emblematic of life and God's provision. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11), emphasizing reliance on God for daily needs. This prayer reflects the broader biblical theme of God as the provider of both physical and spiritual nourishment.

The miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, as recorded in John 6:9-13, further illustrates the significance of bread. Jesus multiplies five barley loaves and two fish to feed a multitude, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. Although barley is mentioned in this instance, the miracle underscores the broader theme of bread as a symbol of God's abundant provision.

The Bread of Life

In John 6:35, Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance, drawing a parallel between physical bread and the spiritual nourishment He provides. This statement highlights the deeper theological significance of bread, transcending its physical properties to embody the life-giving presence of Christ.

Cultural and Religious Practices

Bread made from wheat also played a central role in Jewish religious practices. During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, unleavened bread is consumed to remember the haste with which they left Egypt (Exodus 12:15-20). This feast underscores the importance of bread in Jewish identity and religious observance.

In the New Testament, the breaking of bread becomes a central act of Christian fellowship and worship. Acts 2:42 describes the early believers as devoted to "the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This practice, rooted in the Last Supper, signifies unity and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.

Conclusion

Bread made of wheat, deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, serves as a powerful symbol of God's provision, life, and spiritual nourishment. Its presence in both Old and New Testament contexts underscores its enduring significance in the faith and practice of God's people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 29:2
And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shall you make them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 81:16
He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Wheaten Bread is Required for the Matter of this Sacrament ...
... Consequently, then, if a small quantity of another grain be mixed with a much greater
quantity of wheat, bread may be made therefrom so as to be the proper ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether wheaten bread is required.htm

Bread and Wine
... You know how bread is made. Grains of wheat are put in the ground by the farmer,
and these grains give up their lives in order that other grains may grow on ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/bread and wine.htm

Bread and Gravel
... the reaper has to eat of the bread made from the product of the long past sowing.
Shall we have to reap a harvest of poisonous tares, or of wholesome wheat? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/bread and gravel.htm

Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ...
... they bring to God a loaf, made of wheat flour, of ... only presented them to God, they
are made ready for ... However, out of the common charges, baked bread [was set ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the festivals.htm

Whether the Matter of this Sacrament is Bread and Wine?
... effect with regard to the whole Church, which is made up of many believers, just
"as bread is composed ... Reply to Objection 2: Although wheat and wine are not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the matter of this.htm

Evil Habits and Injurious Indulgences.
... When an individual is troubled with constipation he will find bread made from unbolted
wheat flour to be much more healthful for him than bread made from fine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xiv evil habits and.htm

Whether Wine of the Grape is the Proper Matter of this Sacrament?
... saying (Jn.15:1): "I am the true vine." But only bread from wheat is the ... And
consequently, just as this sacrament may not be made from bread which is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether wine of the grape.htm

The Distinction to be Made Between the Righteous and the Wicked ...
... is, of the Son and of the Spirit, is made after the ... testimony with respect to God:
"I am the wheat of Christ ... beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviii the distinction to be.htm

Daily Bread.
... Corns of wheat like our own have been found in the ... When God made man He created corn
to supply him ... to make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxii daily bread.htm

Joseph, a Servant, a Prisoner, and a Saint.
... of famine, when the east winds should spoil the wheat, so there ... years, so that the
people would have bread to eat ... So he made Joseph a ruler over the whole land ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter vii joseph a servant.htm