Topical Encyclopedia Bread, a staple food in biblical times, holds significant theological and cultural importance throughout the Scriptures. It is often seen as a symbol of God's provision and sustenance for His people. The process of bread-making begins with the earth yielding its produce, primarily grains such as wheat and barley, which are then harvested, ground into flour, and baked into bread.Biblical References and Symbolism The Bible frequently references bread as a fundamental element of daily life and divine blessing. In Genesis 3:19 , following the fall of man, God tells Adam, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground." This verse highlights the labor involved in producing bread and the earth's role in yielding sustenance. In the wilderness, God provided manna, described as "bread from heaven" (Exodus 16:4), to the Israelites, demonstrating His direct provision. This miraculous bread sustained them for forty years, underscoring God's ability to provide even when the earth's yield was inaccessible. The Promised Land is often depicted as a place of abundance, "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8), where the earth would yield plentifully. Deuteronomy 8:9 describes it as "a land where you will eat food without scarcity, where you will lack nothing." Here, bread symbolizes the prosperity and blessing that come from living in accordance with God's covenant. Covenantal and Sacramental Aspects Bread also plays a crucial role in covenantal and sacramental contexts. In the Old Testament, the showbread, or "bread of the Presence," was placed before the Lord in the Tabernacle as a perpetual offering (Leviticus 24:5-9). This bread signified God's eternal covenant with Israel and His continual provision. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ identifies Himself as the "bread of life" (John 6:35), offering spiritual sustenance and eternal life to those who believe in Him. This declaration connects the physical nourishment provided by earthly bread to the spiritual nourishment found in Christ. The Last Supper further elevates the significance of bread, as Jesus breaks it and gives it to His disciples, saying, "This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19). This act institutes the Lord's Supper, a sacrament observed by Christians to commemorate Christ's sacrifice and the new covenant established through His death and resurrection. Cultural and Daily Life In biblical times, bread was a central part of the diet and daily life. It was often made from wheat or barley, the primary grains cultivated in the region. The process of making bread involved several steps: harvesting the grain, threshing, winnowing, grinding it into flour, and finally baking it, usually in a communal oven. The earth's ability to yield grain for bread was seen as a direct blessing from God. In Psalm 104:14-15 , the psalmist praises God for providing, "He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart." Bread's role in hospitality and fellowship is also noteworthy. Sharing bread was a sign of friendship and community, as seen in the account of Abraham, who offered bread to the three visitors at Mamre (Genesis 18:6). Conclusion Throughout the Bible, bread serves as a powerful symbol of God's provision, the earth's bounty, and the spiritual nourishment found in Christ. Its presence in both daily life and sacred rituals underscores its enduring significance in the biblical narrative. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 28:5As for the earth, out of it comes bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 55:10 Library Nearly Identical with Hymnxiii Goodness Wrought and Goodness Laid Up The Poison and the Antidote After this Manner Pray;' or the Model Prayer. Fourth Lesson after this Manner Pray;' For the Epiphany About the Prefigured Change of the Israelitic Kingdom and ... Blessed be that First Day of Thine, Lord, Wherewith this Day of ... 2 Cor. Ix. 10 The Gospel Feast 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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