Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, bread was a staple food, and the process of making it was a daily task for many households. The kneading trough, often referred to in the Bible, was an essential tool in this process. These troughs were typically made of wood or stone and were used to mix and knead dough before baking.The kneading trough is mentioned in several passages of Scripture, highlighting its importance in the daily life of the Israelites. In Exodus 12:34, during the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites took their dough before it was leavened, "carrying it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing." This verse underscores the urgency of their departure and the centrality of bread in their sustenance. The kneading troughs were not only practical but also held symbolic significance. They represented God's provision and the sustenance He provided for His people. The unleavened bread, prepared hastily in these troughs, became a lasting symbol of the Israelites' deliverance from bondage and is commemorated annually during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In Deuteronomy 28:5, as part of the blessings for obedience, it is written, "Blessed will be your basket and your kneading bowl." This blessing indicates prosperity and abundance, suggesting that the kneading trough, as a vessel for preparing daily bread, would be filled and fruitful. The kneading troughs also appear in the context of curses for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28:17: "Cursed will be your basket and your kneading bowl." Here, the empty or unproductive kneading trough symbolizes scarcity and divine judgment. The process of kneading dough in these troughs was labor-intensive, requiring skill and strength. It was typically the responsibility of women in the household, as seen in Proverbs 31:15, where the virtuous woman "rises while it is still night to provide food for her household." This verse reflects the diligence and care involved in bread-making, with the kneading trough playing a central role. In the New Testament, while the specific mention of kneading troughs is absent, the imagery of bread continues to hold significant theological weight. Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life" in John 6:35, drawing on the rich tradition of bread as a symbol of God's provision and sustenance. Overall, the kneading troughs used for bread-making in biblical times were more than mere tools; they were integral to the daily life and spiritual symbolism of the Israelite community. They remind us of the physical and spiritual nourishment provided by God, as well as the diligence and faithfulness required in the daily tasks of life. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 12:34And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Exodus Resources What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat 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 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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