Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, bread is frequently used as a symbol for sustenance and the essential provisions required for human life. This symbolism is deeply rooted in the agrarian culture of the ancient Near East, where bread was a staple food and a primary source of nourishment. The use of bread to represent the whole substance of man is evident throughout Scripture, where it often signifies not only physical sustenance but also spiritual nourishment and divine provision.Old Testament References In the Old Testament, bread is a recurring motif that underscores God's provision for His people. In Genesis 3:19, following the fall of man, God declares, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground." Here, bread represents the basic sustenance that man must labor to obtain. The Israelites' reliance on manna during their wilderness journey further illustrates bread as a divine provision. Exodus 16:4 records God's promise: "I will rain down bread from heaven for you." This miraculous sustenance was a daily reminder of God's care and provision. The significance of bread is also evident in the rituals and offerings of the Old Testament. The showbread, or "bread of the Presence," placed in the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:30), symbolized God's perpetual provision and presence among His people. Leviticus 24:5-9 details the preparation and placement of this bread, underscoring its sacred role in Israel's worship. New Testament References In the New Testament, bread continues to hold profound symbolic meaning. Jesus' feeding of the 5,000, as recorded in John 6:11, demonstrates His power to provide abundantly for physical needs. However, Jesus uses this miracle to teach a deeper spiritual truth. In John 6:35, He declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." Here, bread transcends its physical form to represent the spiritual sustenance found in Christ alone. The Lord's Prayer, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:11, includes the petition, "Give us this day our daily bread." This request acknowledges human dependence on God for daily needs, both physical and spiritual. The breaking of bread during the Last Supper, as recounted in Matthew 26:26, further elevates bread as a symbol of Christ's body, given for the salvation of humanity. Theological Implications The use of bread as a symbol for the whole substance of man carries significant theological implications. It highlights the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual sustenance, reminding believers of their reliance on God for all aspects of life. Bread, as a representation of God's provision, calls Christians to trust in His faithfulness and to seek the true nourishment found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Throughout Scripture, bread serves as a tangible reminder of God's care, a symbol of His covenant with His people, and a foretaste of the eternal sustenance promised in His kingdom. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 3:19In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return to the ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you are, and to dust shall you return. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 39:6 Matthew 6:11 Library The Bread of God The Unity of Apostolic Teaching St. Paul's Phraseology Often Suggested by the Jewish Scriptures ... The Feast of the Lord Give us Today Our Needful Bread The Son of Man The Lord's Supper --Concluded. Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount Matt. xvi. 24 The Synoptic Gospels Resources What did Jesus mean when He said, “This is my body, broken for you”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said we must eat His flesh and drink His blood? | GotQuestions.org Why is the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper such a controversial issue? | 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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