In the Old Testament, we are given so many rules to follow, including what to eat. However, if we read through its books, there are valuable lessons we can learn about sustenance, generosity, and the spiritual significance of food. Even Solomon, the wisest man that once lived, said that “the righteous eats to satisfy the soul, but the wicked’s belly lacks,” highlighting the moral dimensions of our dietary choices and their broader implications for our lives and communities.
In this article, we shall take a look into some of these stern Bible verses about food, exploring how they reflect not only dietary regulations but also deeper principles of compassion, gratitude, and the importance of sharing with others.
Bible Verses About Food
Genesis 9:3
“You can eat any animal, just like you can eat plants.”
Proverbs 21:26
“He constantly desires more, but good people give generously without holding back.”
Read more: 50 Bible Verses About Food in the New Testament
Isaiah 58:10
“And if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
Jeremiah 31:14
“And I will satisfy the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my goodness,” says the LORD.
Ezekiel 34:29
“And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.”
Ecclesiastes 11:1
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.”
Proverbs 12:1
“Those who love to be taught also love to acquire knowledge, but those who dislike being corrected are foolish.”
Proverbs 13:25
“The righteous eats to satisfy the soul, but the wicked’s belly lacks.”
Proverbs 15:17
“Better to have a simple dinner with love than a feast with hatred.”
Proverbs 16:24
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 25:21
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”
Genesis 1:29
“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you, it shall be for food.'”
Genesis 3:6
“The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eyes. It was also a tree to make one wise. So, she took some of its fruit and ate it.”
Genesis 14:18
“Melchizedek, the king of Salem, served bread and wine as a priest of God Most High.”
Genesis 25:34
“Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank, then left. This showed that Esau didn’t value his birthright.”
Exodus 12:8
“On that night, they will eat roasted meat, bread, and bitter herbs.”
Exodus 16:4
The Lord told Moses, “I will make bread fall from the sky for you. Every day, the people should go out and gather just enough for that day.”
Exodus 16:15
When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, ‘It is manna,’ because they did not know what it was. Then Moses told them, ‘This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.'”
Leviticus 2:1
“And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon.”
Numbers 11:5
“In Egypt, we fondly recall the fish we freely ate, as well as the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.“
Deuteronomy 8:3
“He made you realize that people need more than bread to live. He humbled you, let you go hungry, and gave you manna to eat, something neither you nor your ancestors had known.”
Deuteronomy 14:3
“Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.”
Deuteronomy 14:6
“And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that shall ye eat.”
Proverbs 27:7
“A satisfied person doesn’t enjoy simple pleasures, but those in need appreciate even the smallest things.”
Deuteronomy 16:3
“Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction…”
Joshua 5:11
“And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.”
1 Samuel 2:36
“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread…”
1 Samuel 14:24
“And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, ‘Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening…'”
1 Samuel 21:6
“So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD…”
2 Samuel 9:7
“And David said unto him, ‘Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.'”
2 Samuel 17:28
“Brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentils, and parched pulse…”
1 Kings 17:6
“And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.”
1 Kings 19:6
“And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.”
Proverbs 30:8
“Keep me away from deceit and lies. I don’t want to be poor or rich. Just give me enough food to satisfy my needs.”
Psalm 37:25
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
Psalm 104:14
“He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.”
2 Kings 4:42
“And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof…”
2 Kings 25:3
“And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.”
1 Chronicles 16:3
“And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.”
Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said unto them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'”
Job 23:12
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.”
Psalm 78:24
“And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.”
Proverbs 9:5
“Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.”
Proverbs 25:16
“Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”
Isaiah 55:2
“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”
Proverbs 16:26
“He who labors, labors for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.”
Proverbs 25:27
“It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”
Ecclesiastes 3:13
“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.”
Ezekiel 4:9
“Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof…”
Ezekiel 16:19
“And my meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, wherewith I fed thee, thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour: and thus it was, saith the Lord GOD.”
Hosea 2:8
“For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.”
Psalm 34:8
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Psalm 146:7
“Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners.”
Proverbs 28:27
“He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.”
Final Thoughts
Do you feel you could come up with some of the Israelite’s laws about food? Reflecting on these ancient guidelines can inspire us to consider how our own eating habits align with values of generosity and mindfulness.
Food is not merely a source of sustenance; it is a means of connection, a way to express love and care for others, and a reminder of our responsibilities towards those in need. As we navigate our modern diets, let us remember the wisdom found in these scriptures and strive to incorporate their lessons into our daily lives. Share your thoughts on how these teachings can influence your approach to food and community.