Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, bread was a staple food and held significant cultural and spiritual symbolism. It was often given as a present, reflecting hospitality, provision, and fellowship. The act of giving bread as a gift is deeply rooted in the customs and traditions of the ancient Near East, where sharing food was a sign of friendship and goodwill.Hospitality and Fellowship Bread was central to the practice of hospitality, a highly valued virtue in biblical culture. When guests arrived, offering bread was a customary way to welcome them and demonstrate kindness. In Genesis 18:6, when three visitors came to Abraham, he instructed Sarah to quickly prepare bread: "So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, 'Quick, prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.'" This act of providing bread was an expression of generosity and respect. Symbol of Provision Bread also symbolized God's provision and sustenance. In the wilderness, God provided manna, described as "bread from heaven," to the Israelites (Exodus 16:4). This miraculous provision underscored God's care and faithfulness. In the New Testament, Jesus taught His disciples to pray for daily bread, emphasizing reliance on God's provision (Matthew 6:11). Covenantal Significance Bread held covenantal significance, often used in rituals and ceremonies. In the Old Testament, the showbread, or "bread of the Presence," was placed before the Lord in the Tabernacle as a perpetual offering (Exodus 25:30). This bread symbolized the covenant relationship between God and Israel, representing His continual presence and sustenance. Gifts and Offerings Bread was frequently given as a gift or offering, signifying peace and goodwill. In 1 Samuel 10:3-4, Samuel instructed Saul to accept bread from men he would meet, indicating favor and blessing: "Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them." Communal Meals Sharing bread was integral to communal meals, fostering unity and fellowship. In the New Testament, the breaking of bread became a central act of Christian worship and community life. Acts 2:46 describes the early believers: "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart." This practice reflected the believers' shared faith and mutual support. Conclusion Throughout the Bible, bread is more than mere sustenance; it is a profound symbol of hospitality, provision, and covenant. Whether given as a present or shared in communal meals, bread embodies the values of generosity, fellowship, and divine care, resonating deeply within the biblical narrative. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 25:18Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 16:12 1 Chronicles 12:40 Library How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It. Prayer Taught and Encouraged. How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It. St. Paul's Phraseology Often Suggested by the Jewish Scriptures ... The Bread of God Prayer and Faith "In Remembrance of Me" Even Now The Sacrament of the Altar A Sermon for the Time Present Resources What is the meaning of “Cast your bread upon the waters” in Ecclesiastes 11:1? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of unleavened bread? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to pray for our daily bread? | GotQuestions.org Bread: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Bread in Times of Scarcity, Sold by Weight Bread was Baked: On Coals of Fire 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 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: Called the Staff of Life Bread: Crumb of, Used to Wipe the Fingers, Thrown Under the Table Bread: First Fruit of, offered to God Bread: How Prepared: Baked in Ovens Bread: How Prepared: Cracknels Bread: How Prepared: Made Into Loaves Bread: How Prepared: Mixed With Oil Bread: How Prepared: On Coals of Dung Bread: How Prepared: On Hearths Bread: Kinds of Bread of Affliction Bread: Kinds of Leavened (Made With Yeast) Bread: Kinds of Unleavened (Made Without Yeast) Bread: Made of Manna (In the Wilderness) 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: Sacred, Called Hallowed Bread Bread: Scarceness of, Sent As a Punishment Bread: Served Round After Funerals Bread: Symbolical of the Body of Christ Bread: The Principal Food Used by the Ancients Bread: Troughs Used for Kneading Bread: when Old, Dry and Mouldy Related Terms |
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