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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

FOOD AND FOOD PREPARATION

Substances required by the body to sustain life, and the methods of making them edible. Food consumed in Bible times included bread, milk products, fruit, meat, and fish. Food was also offered sacrificially or given as gifts. The availability of food was a perpetual concern because of the recurrent scarcity: droughts were frequent (2 Kgs 4:38 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Jer 14:1, 4-6 OET JER 14:1 · OET JER 14:4–6 (RV-only JER 14:1 · RV-only JER 14:4–6 · LV-only JER 14:1 · LV-only JER 14:4–6); Hg 1:11 OET (RV-only · LV-only)), hailstorms wrought devastation among crops (Hg 2:17 OET (RV-only · LV-only)), farming was frequently interrupted by warfare with neighboring nations (2 Kgs 6:25 OET (RV-only · LV-only)), and intermittent plagues of locusts ravaged large areas.

KI2 4:38: OET KI2 4:38 (RV-only KI2 4:38 · LV-only KI2 4:38)

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OET-RV KI2 4:38

38 and Elisha returned to Gilgal.
¶ At that time, there was a drought and the prophets-in-training were sitting facing him, and Elisha told his servant, “Get the large pot and boil a stew for these prophets-in-training.”

OET-LV KI2 4:38

38 And_ʼElīshāˊ he _returned to_(the)_Gilgal and_(the)_famine on _the_earth and_the _sons of_the _prophets were_sitting before_him and_he/it _said to_servant _of_his put _on the_pot (the)_large and_cook cooked _food for_the _sons _of the _prophets.

JER 14:1; JER 14:4–6: OET JER 14:1 · OET JER 14:4–6 (RV-only JER 14:1 · RV-only JER 14:4–6 · LV-only JER 14:1 · LV-only JER 14:4–6)

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OET-RV JER 14:1

14 This is Yahweh’s message to Yirmiyah (Jeremiah) regarding droughts:

OET-RV JER 14:4

4 The ground is cracked open because there hasn’t been any rain.
⇔ The farmers are ashamed—they’ve covered their heads in grief,

OET-RV JER 14:5

5 because even the doe in the countryside abandoned her newborn fawn as there was no grass.

OET-RV JER 14:6

6 Wild donkeys stand on bare hills and pant for breath like jackals—
⇔ their eyes have failed because there’s no vegetation.

OET-LV JER 14:1

14 That_which the _message _of YHWH it _came to Yirmə^yāh/(Jeremiah) on the _matters _of the _droughts.

OET-LV JER 14:4

4 In_account _of the_soil which_it _is _cracked if/because not rain it _has _come on _the_earth farmers they _are _ashamed they _have _covered head _of_their.

OET-LV JER 14:5

5 If/because also a _doe in _the_field it _has _given _birth and_it _has _abandoned if/because not fresh _grass it _is.

OET-LV JER 14:6

6 And_wild _donkeys they _have _stood on the_bare _heights they _have _panted _for breath like_jackals eyes _of_their they _have _failed if/because there_is_not vegetation.

HAG 1:11: OET HAG 1:11 (RV-only HAG 1:11 · LV-only HAG 1:11)

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OET-RV HAG 1:11

11 I’ve summoned a drought onto the land and into the hills, onto the grain and the new wine, onto the oil and crops from the ground, onto both people and livestock, and onto everything you all do.”

OET-LV HAG 1:11

11 And_I _have _summoned a _drought on the_earth/land and_on the_mountains and_on the_grain and_on the _new_wine and_on the _fresh_oil and_on that_which the_soil it _will _bring _forth and_on the_humankind and_on the_cattle/livestock and_on all _of the_toil _of hands.

HAG 2:17: OET HAG 2:17 (RV-only HAG 2:17 · LV-only HAG 2:17)

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OET-RV HAG 2:17

17 Yahweh declares that he caused blight and mildew and hail to affect your work, but you still didn’t turn to him.

OET-LV HAG 2:17

17 I _struck you(pl) with_blight and_with_mildew and_with_hail DOM all _of the _work _of your _two’s _hands _of_your(pl) and_not you(pl) to_me the _utterance _of YHWH.

KI2 6:25: OET KI2 6:25 (RV-only KI2 6:25 · LV-only KI2 6:25)

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OET-RV KI2 6:25

25 Being surrounded like that caused a terrible famine inside the city, until a donkey’s head would be sold for eighty silver coins, and a cup of doves’ droppings was sold for five silver coins.

OET-LV KI2 6:25

25 And_he/it _was a _famine great in_Shomrōn and_BEHOLD/LO/SEE they_were_laying _siege on/upon_it(f) until was the_head _of a _donkey for_eighty silver and_the _fourth _part _of the _kab wwww wwww for_five silver.

Food was more plentiful in Palestine (described as a “land flowing with milk and honey”) than in many other parts of the Near East. Shallow cultivation of the soil, however, made crops highly reliant on regular rainfall. Egyptian crops were far less susceptible to weather variations, because the Nile provided a dependable source of water.

Food shortages were considered warnings or punishment from God (Lam 4:9, 11 OET LAM 4:9 · OET LAM 4:11 (RV-only LAM 4:9 · RV-only LAM 4:11 · LV-only LAM 4:9 · LV-only LAM 4:11); Am 4:6-9 OET (RV-only · LV-only)) to teach the Hebrews that life is more than food and that faith must continue despite scarcity, famine, or even death (Dt 8:3 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Hb 3:17-18 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

LAM 4:9; LAM 4:11: OET LAM 4:9 · OET LAM 4:11 (RV-only LAM 4:9 · RV-only LAM 4:11 · LV-only LAM 4:9 · LV-only LAM 4:11)

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OET-RV LAM 4:9

9 Those slain by the sword were happier than those who died from hunger—
⇔ those who slowly wasted away as if they were pierced through by the lack of produce from the countryside.

OET-RV LAM 4:11

11 Yahweh brought his rage to completion.
⇔ He poured out his fierce anger
⇔ and he kindled a fire in Tsiyon (Zion) that consumed its foundations.

OET-LV LAM 4:9

9 Good those_slain _of a _sword they _are more_than_those_slain _of hunger who_they they _flow _away pierced _through from_the_fruits _of the_field.

OET-LV LAM 4:11

11 YHWH he _has _completed DOM rage _of_his he _has _poured _out the _burning _of his _anger _of_his and_he _has _kindled a _fire in_Tsiyyōn/(Zion) and_she/it _ate foundations _of_its.

AMO 4:6–9: OET AMO 4:6–9 (RV-only AMO 4:6–9 · LV-only AMO 4:6–9)

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OET-RV AMO 4:6

6 I also gave you empty stomachs in all your cities
⇔ and lack of bread in all your places.
⇔ Yet you all haven’t returned to me.
§ That is Yahweh’s declaration.

OET-RV AMO 4:7

7 I also withheld rain from you
⇔ when there were still three months to the harvest.
⇔ I made it rain on one city,
⇔ and didn’t send rain to some another city.
⇔ One piece of land was rained on,
⇔ but the piece of land where he didn’t send rain, dried up.

OET-RV AMO 4:8

8 People from two or three cities staggered to another city to drink water,
⇔ but still weren’t able to get enough.
⇔ Yet you all haven’t returned to me.
§ That is Yahweh’s declaration.

OET-RV AMO 4:9

9 I ruined your crops with blight and mildew.
⇔ The multitude of your gardens and your vineyards,
⇔ your fig trees and your olive trees,
⇔ were all devastated by the locusts.
⇔ Yet you all haven’t returned to me.
§ That is Yahweh’s declaration.

OET-LV AMO 4:6

6 And_also I I _gave to/for_you(pl) cleanness _of teeth in_all cities _of_your(pl) and_lack _of bread in_all _of places _of_your(pl) and_not you(pl)_returned to_me the _utterance _of YHWH.

OET-LV AMO 4:7

7 And_also I I _withheld from_you(pl) DOM the_rain in_yet three months were_to_harvest and_I _sent _rain on a _city one and_on a _city one not I _sent _rain a _portion _of _ground one it _was _rained _on and_a _portion _of _ground which not it _sent _rain on/upon_it(f) it _dried _up.

OET-LV AMO 4:8

8 And_ two three cities _they _staggered to a _city one to_drink water and_not they _were _satisfied and_not you(pl)_returned to_me the _utterance _of YHWH.

OET-LV AMO 4:9

9 I _struck you(pl) with_blight and_with_mildew to _make _many gardens _of_your(pl) and_vineyards _of_your(pl) and_your(pl)_fig _of_trees and_your(pl)_olive _of_trees the_locust it _ate and_not you(pl)_returned to_me the _utterance _of YHWH.

DEU 8:3: OET DEU 8:3 (RV-only DEU 8:3 · LV-only DEU 8:3)

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OET-RV DEU 8:3

3 He humbled you by making you hungry and feeding you some stuff that neither you nor your ancestors had heard of, in order to teach you that people don’t just need food, but can only properly live by following what Yahweh says.

OET-LV DEU 8:3

3 And_he_humbled _you and_he_allowed _you _to _hunger and_he_caused _you _to _eat DOM the_manna which not you _had _known and_not they_had _known ancestors _of_your so _as to_make _you _know if/because _that not on the_bread for_him/it_being _alone the_humankind he _lives if/because on every _of (the)_utterance _of the _mouth _of YHWH the_humankind he _lives.

HAB 3:17–18: OET HAB 3:17–18 (RV-only HAB 3:17–18 · LV-only HAB 3:17–18)

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OET-RV HAB 3:17

⇔  17 Even if the fig tree doesn’t produce buds
⇔ and there is no fruit on the grapevines,
⇔ and although the olive tree stops producing,
⇔ and the fields yield no food,
⇔ and although the sheep and goats can’t return to their pens,
⇔ and there are no cattle in their stalls,

OET-RV HAB 3:18

18 I’ll still praise Yahweh.
⇔ I’ll celebrate because God saves me.

OET-LV HAB 3:17

17 If/because the_fig _tree not it _buds and_there_is_not produce on_vines the_product _of the_olive _tree it _fails and_fields not it _produces food someone _cuts _off from_the_fold the_flock and_there_are_not cattle in_stalls.

OET-LV HAB 3:18

18 And_I in_YHWH I _will _exult I _will _rejoice in_the _god _of my _salvation _of_my.

The staples of nomadic Hebrews were milk, curds, and cheese. As the people became more stationary, they grew grains and vegetables and planted orchards and vineyards. Grain would sometimes be grown for a season, and then after the harvest, the tribes would move their flocks to other pastures and find other arable land. Religious sacrifices and festivals were times not only of solemnity but also of rejoicing and great feasting. Victories were also celebrated with banquets and feasting on the food obtained from the camp of the vanquished enemy.

Preview

• Dairy Products

• Grain Crops

• Animal Products

• Insects and Their Food Products

• Vegetables and Seasoning

• Fruits, Nuts, and Wine

Dairy Products

Milk and its by-products formed a vital part of the Hebrew diet (see Jgs 4:19 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Goat’s milk was most frequently used, although milk from camels, cows, and sheep was also available (Gn 32:15 OET (RV-only · LV-only GEN 32:16); Dt 32:14 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Prv 27:27 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

JDG 4:19: OET JDG 4:19 (RV-only JDG 4:19 · LV-only JDG 4:19)

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OET-RV JDG 4:19

19 “I’m thirsty,” he said. “Could you get me a little water to drink.” Ya’el opened a goatskin container and gave him milk to drink, then she covered him again.

OET-LV JDG 4:19

19 And_he/it _said to_her/it give_me _to _drink please a _little _of water if/because I _am _thirsty and_she _opened DOM the _skin-bottle _of (the)_milk and_she_gave _him _a _drink and_she_covered _him.

GEN 32:15: OET GEN 32:15 (RV-only GEN 32:15 · LV-only GEN 32:16)

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OET-RV GEN 32:15

15 thirty milk camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female and ten male donkeys.

OET-LV GEN 32:16

16  Camels milking and_young _of_their thirty cows forty and_bulls ten female _donkeys twenty and_male _donkeys ten.

DEU 32:14: OET DEU 32:14 (RV-only DEU 32:14 · LV-only DEU 32:14)

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OET-RV DEU 32:14

14 yogurt from the cattle and milk from the flocks,
⇔ with fat of lambs, and rams from Bashan, and goats,
⇔ with plump wheat kernels,
⇔ and the juice of grapes that you drank as wine.

OET-LV DEU 32:14

14 Curd[s]_of the_herd and_milk _of the_flock with fat _of lambs and_rams the _sons _of Bāshān and_goats with the_fat _of the_kidneys _of wheat and_blood _of grape[s] you _drank wine.

PRO 27:27: OET PRO 27:27 (RV-only PRO 27:27 · LV-only PRO 27:27)

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OET-RV PRO 27:27

27 The female goats will give enough milk for your household,
⇔ and nourishment for your servant girls.

OET-LV PRO 27:27

27 And_a _sufficiency _of the_milk _of goats is_for_food _of_your for_the _food _of your _household _of_your and_life of_maids _of_your.

Since fresh milk could not be preserved in Palestine’s hot climate, it was processed into buttermilk, curds, and cheese. Milk was poured into goatskins, where it soured and thickened because of the nonsterile condition of the previously used skins and the movement as it was transported. That movement of the pouch (often made from a cow’s stomach, containing the enzyme rennin used in cheese making) produced curds. Curds are first mentioned in the Bible as part of the meal that Abraham provided for his extraordinary guests (Gn 18:8 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

GEN 18:8: OET GEN 18:8 (RV-only GEN 18:8 · LV-only GEN 18:8)

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OET-RV GEN 18:8

8 Then he took yogurt and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and he set the meal down in front of the visitors, standing there under the tree by them while they ate.

OET-LV GEN 18:8

8 And_he/it _took curd[s] and_milk and_the _young _one _of the _herd which he _had _prepared and_he/it _gave before_them and_he was_standing with_them under the_tree and_they _ate.

The Hebrew word for curds (chena) is also translated “butter” (Jb 10:10 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). This butter would be similar in consistency to yogurt from which the water has been squeezed out. When pressed and rolled into small balls, it kept indefinitely, despite the climate. Thus, compressed curds were particularly valuable for journeys in arid regions where food was scarce.

JOB 10:10: OET JOB 10:10 (RV-only JOB 10:10 · LV-only JOB 10:10)

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OET-RV JOB 10:10

10 Haven’t you poured me out like milk
⇔ ≈ and curdled me like cheese?

OET-LV JOB 10:10

10 Not like_milk did_you _pour _me _out and_like_cheese did_you _curdle _me.

Grain Crops

The most frequently mentioned food in the Bible is bread. The term refers in a general sense to all foods but more particularly to food prepared from grain. In biblical times bread was prepared from several grains. Wheat, barley, and spelt were grown in Egypt (Ex 9:31-32 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

EXO 9:31–32: OET EXO 9:31–32 (RV-only EXO 9:31–32 · LV-only EXO 9:31–32)

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OET-RV EXO 9:31

31 (Now the flax and the barley were flattened by the hail because the barley was full grown and starting to fill out and the flax was in bloom.

OET-RV EXO 9:32

32 But the wheat and the spelt weren’t destroyed because they come later in the season.)

OET-LV EXO 9:31

31 And_the_flax and_the_barley it _was _struck if/because the_barley was_young _barley _ear[s] and_the_flax was_bud.

OET-LV EXO 9:32

32 And_the_wheat and_the_spelt not they _were _struck if/because are_late_crops they.

An Egyptian physician named Sinuhe, living in the mid-20th century BC, recorded that bread was baked daily in Palestine and Syria, and it is probable that it was served with every meal. This bread was probably a wafer or flat cake made from barley or emmer (an inferior form of wheat), since these were the two grain crops that Sinuhe mentioned seeing. Wheat was the most expensive grain. Fine wheat flour was a luxury only the rich could afford (Gn 18:6 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Ez 16:13, 19 OET EZE 16:13 · OET EZE 16:19 (RV-only EZE 16:13 · RV-only EZE 16:19 · LV-only EZE 16:13 · LV-only EZE 16:19)). In later periods wheat became a valuable export crop that was shipped from Tyre to other ports in the Mediterranean.

GEN 18:6: OET GEN 18:6 (RV-only GEN 18:6 · LV-only GEN 18:6)

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OET-RV GEN 18:6

6 So Avraham hurried into the tent and told Sarah, “Quickly, grind three measures of fine flour and knead it and make some bread.”

OET-LV GEN 18:6

6 And_ ʼAⱱrāhām _he _hurried to_the_tent to Sārāh and_he/it _said bring _quickly three seahs flour fine _flour knead_it and_make bread _cakes.

EZE 16:13; EZE 16:19: OET EZE 16:13 · OET EZE 16:19 (RV-only EZE 16:13 · RV-only EZE 16:19 · LV-only EZE 16:13 · LV-only EZE 16:19)

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OET-RV EZE 16:13

13 So you were adorned with gold and silver, and you were dressed in fine linen, silk, and embroidered clothes. You ate good food made from fine flour, honey, and oil, and you were very beautiful, and you became a queen.

OET-RV EZE 16:19

19 The high-quality bread that I gave you (made with fine flour, oil, and honey), you placed in front of them to be a fragrant aroma, and indeed it was. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.

OET-LV EZE 16:13

13 And_you _adorned _yourself gold and_silver and_clothing _of_your was_fine _linen and_silk and_multicoloured _material fine _flour and_honey and_oil you _ate and_you _were _beautiful with_muchness muchness and_you _prospered into_kingship.

OET-LV EZE 16:19

19 And_food _of_my which I _had _given to/for_you(fs) fine _flour and_oil and_honey which_I_had _given _you _to _eat and_you_set _it before_them to_an _odour _of soothing and_it _was the _utterance _of my_master YHWH.

Because barley could grow in less productive soil and was more tolerant of drought conditions, it became a popular grain crop in the ancient Near East. Barley could also be harvested several weeks earlier than wheat. Barley bread (Jgs 7:13 OET (RV-only · LV-only); 2 Kgs 4:42 OET (RV-only · LV-only)) and barley cakes (Ez 4:12 OET (RV-only · LV-only)) were eaten by the average laborer. Jesus miraculously multiplied a young boy’s five barley loaves and two fishes and fed five thousand (Jn 6:9-13 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

JDG 7:13: OET JDG 7:13 (RV-only JDG 7:13 · LV-only JDG 7:13)

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OET-RV JDG 7:13

13 When Gid’on got close, a man was telling his companion about his dream. “Listen,” he said, “I had a dream and wow, a round loaf of barley bread was tumbling into our camp. It came as far as the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, and collapsed completely.”

OET-LV JDG 7:13

13 And_ Gidˊōn _he _came and_BEHOLD/LO/SEE a _man was_recounting to_neighbour _of_his a _dream and_he/it _said HERE a _dream I _have _dreamed and_BEHOLD/LO/SEE a _round _loaf _of of _bread _of barley(s) was_tumbling in_the _camp _of Midyān and_it _came to the_tent and_it_struck _it and_it _fell and_it_overturned _it (to)_upwards_on and_ the_tent _it _fell.

KI2 4:42: OET KI2 4:42 (RV-only KI2 4:42 · LV-only KI2 4:42)

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OET-RV KI2 4:42

42 One day a man came from Ba’al -Shalishah, and he brought to the man of God an offering from the beginning of his harvest: twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly-harvested corn in his sack, and Elisha said to his servant, “Give it to our people so they can eat.”

OET-LV KI2 4:42

42 And_a _man he _came from_Baˊal- shalishah and_he/it _brought to_the _man _of the_ʼElohīm bread _of first-fruits twenty bread[s] barley(s) and_new _corn in_sack _of_his and_he/it _said give_it to_people so_that _they _may _eat.

EZE 4:12: OET EZE 4:12 (RV-only EZE 4:12 · LV-only EZE 4:12)

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OET-RV EZE 4:12

12 You’ll cook and eat that bread as barley cakes, but burn sun-dried human excrement to bake it over while they’re watching.

OET-LV EZE 4:12

12 And_a _bread _cake _of barley(s) you(ms)_will _eat_it(f) and_she in_the _dung(s)_of the _excrement _of the_humankind you_will _bake _it to_eyes _of_their.

JHN 6:9–13: OET JHN 6:9–13 (RV-only JHN 6:9–13 · LV-only JHN 6:9–13)

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OET-RV JHN 6:9

9 “There’s a young boy here with five buns and two small cooked fish, but that wouldn’t even start to feed this crowd.”

OET-RV JHN 6:10

10 But Yeshua told them to get all the people to sit down as there was a large grassy area. So they all sat down—some five thousand men were counted.

OET-RV JHN 6:11

11 Then he took the buns and gave thanks to God, and started passing around both the buns and the fish, and everyone ate as much as they wanted.

OET-RV JHN 6:12

12 Once everyone was full, Yeshua got his apprentices to collect the leftover fragments so as not to waste anything.

OET-RV JHN 6:13

13 So they gathered the leftovers and filled twelve baskets with leftover bread.

OET-LV JHN 6:9

9 Here is a_little _boy, who is _having five loaves of _barley and two fish, but what is these for so _many?

OET-LV JHN 6:10

10 the Yaʸsous Said:
Make the people to _sit _down.
And there _was grass much in the place.
Therefore the men sat _down, the number about five _thousand.

OET-LV JHN 6:11

11 therefore the Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) Took the loaves, and having _given _thanks, he _distributed to _the ones reclining, likewise also of the fish, as _much _as they _were _wanting.

OET-LV JHN 6:12

12 And when they _were _filled, he _is _saying to _the apprentices/followers of _him:
Gather _together the fragments having _been _leftover in _order _that not anything may _lose.

OET-LV JHN 6:13

13 Therefore they _gathered _together and they _filled twelve baskets of _fragments from the five the barley loaves, which they _were _leftover to _the ones having _eaten.

Millet, a cereal with a small grain head growing on a stalk less than two feet (.6 meter) high, and spelt, a type of wheat, were also used in times of need as a border around the edges of fields.

The most primitive way of processing grain was to rub the ears between the hands to separate the kernels, as Jesus and his disciples did (Lk 6:1 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). To perform this act on the Sabbath (the day of rest) was considered the equivalent of reaping and was therefore forbidden.

LUK 6:1: OET LUK 6:1 (RV-only LUK 6:1 · LV-only LUK 6:1)

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OET-RV LUK 6:1

6 One Rest Day, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) was walking through some fields of grain and his followers were plucking the heads of grain and rubbing them apart in their hands, then chewing the grains.

OET-LV LUK 6:1

6 And it _became on the_day _of _rest him to _be _passing _through through grainfields, and the apprentices/followers of _him were _plucking, and were _eating the heads _of _grain, rubbing them in _their hands.

Parching (roasting the grain lightly in a pan) was another simple method of preparation (Jos 5:11 OET (RV-only · LV-only); 1 Sm 17:17 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). It formed a quick and easy meal for laborers or kings (Ru 2:14 OET (RV-only · LV-only); 1 Sm 25:18 OET (RV-only · LV-only); 2 Sm 17:28 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Parched corn was ideal for taking on journeys.

JOS 5:11: OET JOS 5:11 (RV-only JOS 5:11 · LV-only JOS 5:11)

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OET-RV JOS 5:11

11 The next day they ate roasted grain that they’d taken from that area, and ate flat bread that same day.

OET-LV JOS 5:11

11 And_they _ate some_of _the _produce _of the_earth/land from_the _next _day _of the _passover unleavened _bread(s) and_roasted_grain on_the _substance _of the_day (the)_this.

SA1 17:17: OET SA1 17:17 (RV-only SA1 17:17 · LV-only SA1 17:17)

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OET-RV SA1 17:17

17 One day Yishay said to his son David, “Here’s a sack of roasted grain and ten loaves of bread. Take them straight away to your brothers at the camp.

OET-LV SA1 17:17

17 And_ Yishay _he/it _said to_Dāvid his/its_son take please to_brothers _of_your the _ʼēyfāh _of (the)_roasted _grain the_this and_ten bread[s] the_this and_bring_them_quickly the_camp to_brothers _of_your.

RUT 2:14: OET RUT 2:14 (RV-only RUT 2:14 · LV-only RUT 2:14)

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OET-RV RUT 2:14

14 Then when it was time to eat, Boaz told Ruth, “Come and join us. Take some bread and dip it in the sauce and eat.” So she sat beside the harvesters, and he also offered her some roasted grain. She ate until she was full and even had some left over.

OET-LV RUT 2:14

14 And_he/it _said to_her Boˊaz to_the _time _of the _meal approach here and_you _will _eat some _of the_food and_you _will _dip of _bread_of_your _piece in_vinegar and_she _sat _down from_the _side _of the _harvesters and_he _held _out to/for_her/it roasted _grain and_she/it _ate and_she _was _satisfied and_she _had _excess.

SA1 25:18: OET SA1 25:18 (RV-only SA1 25:18 · LV-only SA1 25:18)

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OET-RV SA1 25:18

18 So Avigayil quickly collected two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, a large basket of roasted grain, a hundred bunches of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded it all on donkeys

OET-LV SA1 25:18

18 And_she _made _haste ʼAⱱīgayil and_she/it _took two _hundred bread[s] and_two jars _of wine and_five sheep prepared and_five seahs roasted _grain and_a _hundred bunches _of _raisins and_two _hundreds fig _cakes and_she _put_them on the_donkeys.

SA2 17:28: OET SA2 17:28 (RV-only SA2 17:28 · LV-only SA2 17:28)

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OET-RV SA2 17:28

28 brought bedding and basins, clay pots, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils,

OET-LV SA2 17:28

28 Bed[s] and_basins and_a _vessel _of a _potter and_wheat(s) and_barley(s) and_flour and_roasted _grain and_bean[s] and_lentils and_roasted _grain.

Bread making was a strenuous task. Mortars, pestles, and simple mills with upper and lower stones were used for grinding flour in ancient Egypt around 2900 BC. These primitive mills were normally placed on the ground, and one was compelled to kneel in order to do the backbreaking work. The resulting meal was coarse and filled with small pieces of husk.

When the flour had been prepared, water was added and the mixture was kneaded in a special trough. The dough could then be made immediately into cakes, pancakes, or unleavened bread (Gn 19:3 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). These flat cakes or wafers were often baked on previously heated stones, on the inner walls of small conical ovens, or in larger communal ovens. Leaven was added to make a lighter dough. The leaven was normally a piece of dough left over from an earlier mixing and allowed to ferment before being used. The flour meal was also mixed with a porridge made of lentil beans in order to stretch the food supply.

GEN 19:3: OET GEN 19:3 (RV-only GEN 19:3 · LV-only GEN 19:3)

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OET-RV GEN 19:3

3 However, Lot insisted, so they followed him off the main road and went into his house. Then he prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

OET-LV GEN 19:3

3 And_he _urged (in)_them exceedingly and_they _turned _aside to_him/it and_they _came into house _of_his and_he/it _made to/for_them a _feast and_unleavened _bread(s) he _baked and_they _ate.

Animal Products

The introduction of meat as part of the diet seems to have coincided with the time when Noah and his family left the ark (Gn 9:3 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). After this time, however, the animals normally eaten for food were so valuable that only the wealthy could afford to slaughter them. So in biblical times the peasant had a simple, somewhat monotonous diet, while the rich feasted on meat, delicacies, and imported commodities. As a result, meat was a luxury item that the poor would rarely enjoy except on such occasions as the Passover celebration or sacrifices in which the worshiper ate part of the offering (Ex 12:8 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Although it was clearly uneconomic to slaughter an animal that produced such staples as milk, curds, and cheese, the rules of hospitality in the Near East dictated that an animal should be killed to entertain an honored guest (2 Sm 12:2-4 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

GEN 9:3: OET GEN 9:3 (RV-only GEN 9:3 · LV-only GEN 9:3)

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OET-RV GEN 9:3

3 From now on every creature that is alive and moves can be eaten as food—just like I previously provided you green plants for food, now I provide you everything for food—

OET-LV GEN 9:3

3 Every _of creeping _thing which it is_alive to/for_you(pl) it _will _become for_food like_the_greenery plant[s] I _give to/for_you(pl) DOM everything.

EXO 12:8: OET EXO 12:8 (RV-only EXO 12:8 · LV-only EXO 12:8)

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OET-RV EXO 12:8

8 They must roast them on the fire and eat the meat that night, along with flat bread and bitter herbs.

OET-LV EXO 12:8

8 And_they _will _eat DOM the_meat in_night the_this roasted _of fire and_unleavened _bread(s) with bitter _herbs they_will _eat _it.

SA2 12:2–4: OET SA2 12:2–4 (RV-only SA2 12:2–4 · LV-only SA2 12:2–4)

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OET-RV SA2 12:2

2 The rich man had a large number of flocks and herds,

OET-RV SA2 12:3

3 but the poor man only had one little female lamb that he’d bought. It grew up with him and his sons, and would eat his left-overs and drink from his cup and lay down in his lap—it was like a daughter to him.

OET-RV SA2 12:4

4 One day the rich man had a visitor, but instead of taking one of his own animals for a meal, he killed the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the meal for his guest.”

OET-LV SA2 12:2

2 To_the_rich_man flock[s] and_herd[s] many very it _belonged.

OET-LV SA2 12:3

3 And_to_man there_belonged_not anything if/because (if) a _ewe-lamb one small which he _had _acquired and_he_nourished _it and_it _grew _up with_him/it and_with children _of_his together from_his _piece _of_of _bread it _ate and_from_cup _of_his it _drank and_in_bosom _of_his it _lay _down and_it _became to_him/it like_a _daughter.

OET-LV SA2 12:4

4 And_ a _visitor _he _came to_the_man _of (the)_rich and_he _spared to_take/accept/receive one_of_his _own _sheep and_one_of_his _own _cattle for_doing for_traveller who_had_come to_him/it and_he/it _took DOM the _ewe-lamb _of the_man (the)_poor and_he_prepared _it for_man who_had_come to_him/it.

Domestic sheep, goats, and oxen provided the main source of meat, although venison was popular with the upper classes. When the blind Isaac was deceived by his son Jacob, the father was offered the luxury of both kid’s meat and wild game (Gn 27:3, 9, 19 OET GEN 27:3 · OET GEN 27:9 · OET GEN 27:19 (RV-only GEN 27:3 · RV-only GEN 27:9 · RV-only GEN 27:19 · LV-only GEN 27:3 · LV-only GEN 27:9 · LV-only GEN 27:19)). The ox kept in a stall or the fatted calf were reserved for occasions of great festivity (Mt 22:4 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

GEN 27:3; GEN 27:9; GEN 27:19: OET GEN 27:3 · OET GEN 27:9 · OET GEN 27:19 (RV-only GEN 27:3 · RV-only GEN 27:9 · RV-only GEN 27:19 · LV-only GEN 27:3 · LV-only GEN 27:9 · LV-only GEN 27:19)

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OET-RV GEN 27:3

3 So please take your weapons—your quiver, and your bow—and go out into the countryside and hunt game for me

OET-RV GEN 27:9

9 Go out to the flock and get me two of the best young goats so that I can prepare a tasty meal from them that your father loves.

OET-RV GEN 27:19

19 “I’m your oldest son Esav,” Ya’akov replied to his father. “I’ve done what you told me. Please get up, and come and sit up and eat some of my game, so that you’ll bless me.”

OET-LV GEN 27:3

3 And_now take _up please weapons _of_your quiver _of_your and_bow _of_your and_go _out the_field and_hunt to/for_me hunted _game.

OET-LV GEN 27:9

9 Go please to the_flock and_fetch to_me from_there two _of kids _of goats good so_that _I _may _prepare DOM_them delicious _food(s) for_father _of_your just_as he _loves.

OET-LV GEN 27:19

19 And_ Yaˊₐqoⱱ _he/it _said to his/its_father I am_ˊĒsāv firstborn _of_your I _have _done just_as you _said to_me arise please sit and_eat some_of_my _hunted _game in_account _of it_may _bless _me self _of_your.

MAT 22:4: OET MAT 22:4 (RV-only MAT 22:4 · LV-only MAT 22:4)

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OET-RV MAT 22:4

4 So he sent out some other slaves, instructing them, ‘Tell the people who were invited: Listen, I’ve prepared the dinner, including some of my grain-fed beef. and everything’s now ready. Come to the wedding and celebrate.’

OET-LV MAT 22:4

4 Again he _sent _out other slaves saying:
Say to _the ones having _been _invited:
Behold, I _have _prepared the dinner of _me, the bulls of _me, and the grain _fed having _been _sacrificed, and all things are _ready, come to the wedding _festivities.

The use of meat for sacrifice was given definitive form in the provisions of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The Law forbade anyone to slaughter an animal and its offspring on the same day (Lv 22:28 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Another prohibition, perhaps directed at pagan Canaanite sacrificial rituals, would not allow a kid to be stewed or poached in its mother’s milk (Dt 14:21 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Mosaic law was emphatic in prohibiting the consumption of blood in any form. Animal blood was considered the source of the animal’s life and was offered by priests as a sacrifice to God to atone for human sin (Lv 17:11 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). In the Mosaic law, pigs, camels, badgers, and rabbits were considered unclean and were therefore forbidden for food, principally on hygienic grounds (11:4-8 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

LEV 22:28: OET LEV 22:28 (RV-only LEV 22:28 · LV-only LEV 22:28)

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OET-RV LEV 22:28

28 but you mustn’t slaughter a cow or a sheep and its offspring on the same day.

OET-LV LEV 22:28

28 And_an _ox or a _sheep DOM_him/it and_DOM his/its_son not you(pl)_must _cut _the _throat _of in/on_day one.

DEU 14:21: OET DEU 14:21 (RV-only DEU 14:21 · LV-only DEU 14:21)

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OET-RV DEU 14:21

21 Don’t eat any creature that’s died naturally. You may allow foreigners who live among you to eat those things. You may also sell them to other foreigners. But you are a people group that belongs to your god Yahweh.
¶ You mustn’t cook a young sheep or goat in its mother’s milk.

OET-LV DEU 14:21

21 Not you(pl)_will _eat any _of carcass to_sojourner who is_in_gates _of_your you_will _give _it and_he_will _eat _it or you _will _sell _it to_a _foreigner if/because are_a _people holy you to/for_YHWH god _of_your not you _will _boil a _kid in_the _milk _of his/its_mother.

LEV 17:11: OET LEV 17:11 (RV-only LEV 17:11 · LV-only LEV 17:11)

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OET-RV LEV 17:11

11 because the body’s life is in the blood. I myself have given you blood to make atonement for your lives at the altar, because it’s the blood that can atone for life.

OET-LV LEV 17:11

11 If/because the _life _of the _flesh is_in_blood it and_I I_have _given _it to/for_you(pl) on the_altar to_make _atonement on selves _of_your(pl) if/because is_the_blood it which_by_life it _makes _atonement.

LEV 11:4–8: OET LEV 11:4–8 (RV-only LEV 11:4–8 · LV-only LEV 11:4–8)

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OET-RV LEV 11:4

4 However you mustn’t eat those without both traits, for example camels chew the cud but don’t have divided hooves, so they are ‘unclean’ for you.

OET-RV LEV 11:5

5 The rock badger likewise, because although it chews the cud, it too doesn’t have divided hooves,

OET-RV LEV 11:6

6 ⇔and the rabbit is ‘unclean’ for you all because although it chews the cud, it doesn’t have divided hooves.

OET-RV LEV 11:7

7 Pigs have divided hooves that are split completely, but don’t chew the cud, so they’re ‘unclean’ for you all—

OET-RV LEV 11:8

8 you mustn’t eat their meat or touch their carcasses because they’re ‘unclean’ for you all.

OET-LV LEV 11:4

4 Nevertheless DOM this not you(pl)_must _eat from_those _which_bring _up _of (of)_the_cud and_from_those _which_divide _in _two _of (of)_the_hoof DOM the_camel if/because is_bringing _up _of (of)_cud it and_a _hoof not_it is_dividing _in _two is_unclean it to_you(pl).

OET-LV LEV 11:5

5 And_DOM the _rock_badger if/because is_bringing _up _of (of)_cud it and_a _hoof not it _divides _in _two is_unclean it to_you(pl).

OET-LV LEV 11:6

6 And_DOM the_hare if/because is_bringing _up _of (of)_cud it and_a _hoof not it _divides _in _two is_unclean it to_you(pl).

OET-LV LEV 11:7

7 And_DOM the_pig if/because is_dividing _in _two a _hoof it and_is_cleaving a _cleft _of a _hoof and_he cud not it _ruminates is_unclean it to_you(pl).

OET-LV LEV 11:8

8 Any_of_their _meat not you(pl)_must _eat and_(in)_carcass _of_their not you(pl)_will _touch are_unclean they to_you(pl).

In the ancient world, meat was usually boiled or stewed. Roasting an ox or a kid would usually occur only as part of a special feast or sacrificial ritual. Animals might also be roasted for members of the royal palace or for a king’s special guests.

Despite the fact that hunting was enjoyed by all who were able to participate, wild game provided only a minor part of the diet. Among the game found in Palestine and mentioned in the Bible are gazelle, roebuck, wild goat, and deer (Dt 14:5 OET (RV-only · LV-only); 1 Kgs 4:23 OET (RV-only · LV-only KI1 5:3)). It is probable that pheasants were available, and there were certainly turtledoves, pigeons, quails, and partridges, although the precise quantities of food that these birds provided is not certain (Gn 15:9 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Ex 16:13 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Goose was the most popular dish in Egypt, and marsh ducks were also highly esteemed as game. After the Persian period, chickens were eaten (2 Esd 1:30 OET (RV-only)), and eggs and omelettes were popular in Rome in early Christian times. The eggs mentioned in Deuteronomy are probably wild birds’ eggs (Dt 22:6-7 OET (RV-only · LV-only); cf. Is 10:14 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

DEU 14:5: OET DEU 14:5 (RV-only DEU 14:5 · LV-only DEU 14:5)

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OET-RV DEU 14:5

5 all kinds of deer, gazelles, wild goats, and mountain sheep,

OET-LV DEU 14:5

5 A _deer and_a _gazelle and_a _roe-deer and_a _wild _goat and_an _ibex and_an _antelope and_a _mountain _sheep.

KI1 4:23: OET KI1 4:23 (RV-only KI1 4:23 · LV-only KI1 5:3)

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OET-RV KI1 4:23

23 ten fattened cattle, twenty pasture cattle, one hundred sheep, wild game including deer, gazelle, and roebuck, and fattened fowls.

OET-LV KI1 5:3

3  Ten cattle fat and_twenty cattle pasture and_one _hundred sheep apart_apart _from from_deer and_gazelle and_roe-deer and_birds fattened.

GEN 15:9: OET GEN 15:9 (RV-only GEN 15:9 · LV-only GEN 15:9)

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OET-RV GEN 15:9

9 “Bring me a three-year-old heifer,” Yahweh replied, “and a three-year-old she-goat and a three-year-old ram and a turtledove and a young pigeon.”

OET-LV GEN 15:9

9 And_he/it _said to_him/it bring to_me a _heifer three _years _old and_a _goat three _years _old and_a _ram three _years _old and_a _turtle-dove and_a _young _pigeon.

EXO 16:13: OET EXO 16:13 (RV-only EXO 16:13 · LV-only EXO 16:13)

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OET-RV EXO 16:13

13 And so that evening, quail appeared and covered the camp. And in the morning, something like dew was lying all around the camp,

OET-LV EXO 16:13

13 And_he/it _was in_evening and_ the_quail _it _came _up and_it _covered DOM the_camp and_in_morning it _was the _layer _of the _dew around (to)_camp.

LES 1:30: OET LES 1:30 (RV-only LES 1:30 · LV-only unavailable)

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OET-RV LES 1:30

30 I gathered you together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But now, what should I do to you? I’ll throw you out from my presence.

DEU 22:6–7: OET DEU 22:6–7 (RV-only DEU 22:6–7 · LV-only DEU 22:6–7)

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OET-RV DEU 22:6

6 If you happen to find a bird’s nest in a tree or on the ground, and the mother bird is sitting in the nest on its eggs or with the baby birds, don’t take both the mother bird and the babies.

OET-RV DEU 22:7

7 You may take the eggs or the baby birds, but you must allow the mother bird to fly away. Do that so that things will go well for you and so that you’ll live in the land for a long time.

OET-LV DEU 22:6

6 If/because a _nest _of a _bird it _will _be _met to_your_face by_way in_all tree or on the_earth/land young _ones or eggs and_the_mother is_lying on the _young_ones or on the_eggs not you _will _take the_mother with the _young_ones.

OET-LV DEU 22:7

7 Certainly _(let _go) you _will _let _go DOM the_mother and_DOM the _young_ones you _will _take to/for_you(fs) so _that it _may _go _well to/for_you(fs) and_you _will _prolong days.

ISA 10:14: OET ISA 10:14 (RV-only ISA 10:14 · LV-only ISA 10:14)

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OET-RV ISA 10:14

14 My hand has seized the wealth of the nations
⇔ just like someone taking the eggs out of a nest.
⇔ I gathered it from all over the world
⇔ but no one fluttered a wing, or opened a mouth and chirped.

OET-LV ISA 10:14

14 And_it _has _found like_nest hand _of_my (to)_the_wealth _of the _peoples and_as_gathers eggs abandoned all _of the_earth/land I I _have _gathered and_not any _was fluttering a _wing and_opening a _mouth and_chirping.

Thirty varieties of fish were available in the Jordan, and an extensive fishing industry existed on the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the time of Christ. Supplies of fish were readily available from the Mediterranean coast during the Roman period, but at an earlier time the fish supply depended to a large extent upon whichever nation had control of the coastline. In the postexilic period the people of Tyre supplied the city of Jerusalem with fish, which were sold near the Fish Gate (Neh 3:3 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). In the regulations concerning the types of fish suitable for food, only those that had fins and scales were acceptable (Lv 11:9-12 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

NEH 3:3: OET NEH 3:3 (RV-only NEH 3:3 · LV-only NEH 3:3)

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OET-RV NEH 3:3

3 Hasena’ah’s son rebuilt the Fish Gate—laying the beams then installing the doors with their bolts and bars.

OET-LV NEH 3:3

3 And_DOM the _gate _of the _fish(es) the _sons _of (the)_Senaah they _rebuilt they they_made _beams _for _it and_they _set _up doors _of_its bolts _of_its and_bars _of_its.

LEV 11:9–12: OET LEV 11:9–12 (RV-only LEV 11:9–12 · LV-only LEV 11:9–12)

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OET-RV LEV 11:9

9 ⇔You all can eat everything that lives in the water, whether the oceans or rivers, as long as it has both fins and scales.

OET-RV LEV 11:10

10 In contrast, anything in the oceans or rivers without both fins and scales, whether they’re swarming creatures or otherwise, they’ll all be detestable for you all.

OET-RV LEV 11:11

11 So anything that’s detestable to you all, you mustn’t eat their meat and you must detest their carcasses.

OET-RV LEV 11:12

12 Anything in the water that doesn’t have both fins and scales will be detestable for you all.

OET-LV LEV 11:9

9 DOM this you(pl)_will _eat from_all that is_in_waters all that to_him/it fin and_scale in_waters in _the_seas and_in_wadis DOM_them you(pl)_will _eat.

OET-LV LEV 11:10

10 And_all/each/any/every that there_belong_not to_him/it fin and_scale in _the_seas and_in_wadis from_all (the)_swarming _thing _of the_waters and_from_all creature _of the_living which is_in_waters are_detestable _thing[s] they to_you(pl).

OET-LV LEV 11:11

11 And_detestable _thing[s] they _will _be to/for_you(pl) any_of_their _meat not you(pl)_must _eat and_DOM carcass _of_their you(pl)_will _detest.

OET-LV LEV 11:12

12 All that there_belong_not to_him/it fin and_scale in_waters is_a _detestable _thing it to_you(pl).

In NT times many of the distinctions concerning food were eliminated. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus, challenging the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, upset the Jewish food laws by saying that evil thoughts, not certain foods, make a person unclean (Mk 7:19 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). As Christianity spread into gentile areas, there was, however, a continuing concern about eating meat that had been offered to idols. The question came to a head in Corinth. The apostle Paul maintained that though the meat was acceptable, one should take care not to cause spiritual damage to another Christian with a more sensitive conscience.

MRK 7:19: OET MRK 7:19 (RV-only MRK 7:19 · LV-only MRK 7:19)

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OET-RV MRK 7:19

19 because it doesn’t enter your mind but merely goes into your stomach and ends up in the toilet.” (By saying this he clearly showed that it was ok for Yehudim (Jews) to eat any food.)

OET-LV MRK 7:19

19 because it _is_ not _entering _in into the heart of _him but into the belly, and it _is _going _out into the latrine?
(Purifying all the foods.
)

Insects and Their Food Products

Wild honey was found in Palestine, but there is no evidence of bee-keeping. Egyptians, however, did practice beekeeping at that time.

The honeycomb is mentioned specifically in 1 Samuel 14:27 OET (RV-only · LV-only) and Song of Songs 5:1 OET (RV-only · LV-only); liquid honey is referred to in 1 Kings 14:3 OET (RV-only · LV-only). Honey was to be found in crevices of rocks and on trees (Dt 32:13 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). It was the primary sweetener in cooking. Although it could not be used in a sacrifice to the Lord (Lv 2:11 OET (RV-only · LV-only)), honey was prized as a delicacy. In the 15th century BC, when Thutmose III was campaigning in Syria and Palestine, he brought back vast quantities of honey as tribute from his newly conquered lands.

SA1 14:27: OET SA1 14:27 (RV-only SA1 14:27 · LV-only SA1 14:27)

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OET-RV SA1 14:27

27 But Yonatan (Jonathan) hadn’t heard his father’s oath, so he dipped his staff into the honeycomb and ate some honey and felt rejuvenated.

OET-LV SA1 14:27

27 And_Yōnātān/(Yəhōnātān/(Jonathan)) not he _had _heard when_ his/its_father _made _to _swear _an _oath DOM the_people and_he _stretched _out DOM the _end _of the _staff which in_his/its_hand and_he _dipped it in_the _honeycomb _of the _honey and_he _brought _back his/its_hand to mouth _of_his and eyes _of_his.

SNG 5:1: OET SNG 5:1 (RV-only SNG 5:1 · LV-only SNG 5:1)

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OET-RV SNG 5:1

5 I have come to my garden, my girlfriend, my bride.
⇔ I’ve plucked my myrrh with my spice.
⇔ I’ve eaten my honeycomb with my honey.
⇔ I’ve drunk my wine with my milk.
⇔ Eat, friends,
⇔ drink, and drink freely, dear ones.

OET-LV SNG 5:1

5 I _have _come to_garden _of_my my _sister _of_my bride I _have _gathered myrrh _of_my with spice _of_my I _have _eaten honeycomb _of_my with honey _of_my I _have _drunk wine _of_my with milk _of_my eat Oh _friends drink and_become _drunk Oh _lovers.

KI1 14:3: OET KI1 14:3 (RV-only KI1 14:3 · LV-only KI1 14:3)

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OET-RV KI1 14:3

3 Take ten loaves of bread and some cakes and a jar of honey to give to him. He’ll tell you what will happen to the boy.”

OET-LV KI1 14:3

3 And_you _will _take in_hand _of_your ten bread[s] and_cakes and_a _jar _of honey and_you _will _go to_him/it he he _will _tell to/for_you(fs) what will _it _happen to_lad.

DEU 32:13: OET DEU 32:13 (RV-only DEU 32:13 · LV-only DEU 32:13)

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OET-RV DEU 32:13

13 He helped Yisrael reach the hilltops,
⇔ and fed them the fruits of the countryside.
⇔ He nourished them with honey from the cliffs,
⇔ ≈ oil from the hardest rocks,

OET-LV DEU 32:13

13 He_caused _it _to _ride on the_high _places _of the_land and_it _ate fruits _of the_field and_he_made _it _suck honey from_a _rock and_oil from_flint _of rock.

LEV 2:11: OET LEV 2:11 (RV-only LEV 2:11 · LV-only LEV 2:11)

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OET-RV LEV 2:11

11 “Anything that’s presented to Yahweh as a grain offering must not be made with any rising agent, because any leaven or honey mustn’t be burnt as a gift to Yahweh.

OET-LV LEV 2:11

11 Any _of (the)_grain_offering which you(pl)_will _present to/for_YHWH not it _will _be _made leaven if/because any _of leaven and_all honey not you(pl)_must _make _to _smoke from_him/it a _fire _offering to/for_YHWH.

Locusts were probably first eaten in desperation after they had devastated crops. They are one of the few insects mentioned as a permissible source of food (Lv 11:22 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Locusts were fried in flour or honey, or were preserved by being dried. Locusts and wild honey formed John the Baptist’s basic diet in the wilderness (Mt 3:4 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Mk 1:6 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Although locusts contain little protein, they are rich in fat and have some mineral content.

LEV 11:22: OET LEV 11:22 (RV-only LEV 11:22 · LV-only LEV 11:22)

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OET-RV LEV 11:22

22 You all can eat any kind of locust or cricket or grasshopper,

OET-LV LEV 11:22

22 DOM these from_them you(pl)_will _eat DOM the_locust to/for_his/its_kind and_DOM the_locust to_his/its_kind and_DOM the_locust to_his/its_kind and_DOM the_grasshopper to_his/its_kind.

MAT 3:4: OET MAT 3:4 (RV-only MAT 3:4 · LV-only MAT 3:4)

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OET-RV MAT 3:4

4 Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes) himself wore clothes made from coarse camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he lived on locusts and wild honey.

OET-LV MAT 3:4

4 And the Yōannaʸs himself was _having the clothing of _him from hairs of_a_camel and a_ leather _belt around the waist of _him, and the food of _him was locusts and wild honey.

MRK 1:6: OET MRK 1:6 (RV-only MRK 1:6 · LV-only MRK 1:6)

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OET-RV MRK 1:6

6 Yohan was dressed in simple clothes made from camel hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he lived on locusts and wild honey.

OET-LV MRK 1:6

6 And the Yōannaʸs was having _dressed _in hairs of_a_camel, and a_ leather _belt around the waist of _him, and eating locusts and wild honey.

Vegetables and Seasoning

The Hebrew people wandering in the Sinai wilderness bemoaned the loss of the flavorful vegetables they had become accustomed to during their Egyptian captivity. In particular, they expressed a longing for cucumbers, melons (possibly watermelons), leeks, onions, and garlic (Nm 11:5 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Many of these vegetables were later grown in Palestine (particularly in the Gaza). When cucumbers were first cultivated, they were regarded as luxury items and had to be protected by guards who lived in shacks overlooking the gardens (Is 1:8 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Beans, lentils, and parched grain were among the items brought to David and his soldiers at Mahanaim (2 Sm 17:28 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Lentils were known in Egypt from at least the 13th century BC and were used extensively both then and in later times by the Israelites. Lentil soup is mentioned in Genesis 25:34 OET (RV-only · LV-only).

NUM 11:5: OET NUM 11:5 (RV-only NUM 11:5 · LV-only NUM 11:5)

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OET-RV NUM 11:5

5 We remember the fish that we ate in Mitsrayim (Egypt) for free, as well as the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic,

OET-LV NUM 11:5

5 We _remember DOM the_fish which we _ate in_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) for _nothing DOM the_cucumbers and_DOM the_watermelons and_DOM the_leek[s] and_DOM the_onions and_DOM the_garlic(s).

ISA 1:8: OET ISA 1:8 (RV-only ISA 1:8 · LV-only ISA 1:8)

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OET-RV ISA 1:8

8 Tsiyon’s (Zion) daughter is left isolated
⇔ like a hut in a vineyard,
⇔ ≈ like a shed in a cucumber field,
⇔ ≈ like a besieged city.

OET-LV ISA 1:8

8 And_ the _daughter _of Tsiyyōn/(Zion) _she _has _been _left like_a _shelter in_a _vineyard like_a _hut in_a _cucumber _field like_a _city besieged.

GEN 25:34: OET GEN 25:34 (RV-only GEN 25:34 · LV-only GEN 25:34)

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OET-RV GEN 25:34

34 and Ya’akov gave him some of the lentil stew and some bread. So Esav ate and drank and left again, thus despising his own inheritance as firstborn son.

OET-LV GEN 25:34

34 And_Yaˊₐqoⱱ he _gave to_ˊĒsāv bread and_cooked _food _of lentils and_he _ate and_he _drank and_he/it _rose _up and_he _went and_ ˊĒsāv _he _despised DOM the_birthright.

In times of hunger the husks of the carob tree, normally fed to cattle, could be used for food. These would have been most acceptable to the prodigal son (Lk 15:16 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). There were many kinds of green herbs that could provide a meal for the poor in time of need (Prv 15:17 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). In cases of extreme hunger, some kinds of mallow and juniper roots could also be used as food. In Elisha’s time a group of prophets at Gilgal prepared a stew of wild vegetables, to which they mistakenly added poisonous wild gourds. Elisha rectified the situation by adding meal to the pot (2 Kgs 4:38-41 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). While there is no actual record of the kinds of bitter herbs used as part of the Passover offering (Ex 12:8 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Nm 9:11 OET (RV-only · LV-only)), mint and cummin were most probably included. Dill, cummin, rue, and mint were common garden herbs (Mt 23:23 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Lk 11:42 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

LUK 15:16: OET LUK 15:16 (RV-only LUK 15:16 · LV-only LUK 15:16)

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OET-RV LUK 15:16

16 As the pigs were eating their carob pods, their food started to look desirable to him, but he wasn’t given any.

OET-LV LUK 15:16

16 And he _was _desiring to _be _satisfied from the carob _pods which the pigs were _eating, and no _one was _giving to _him.

PRO 15:17: OET PRO 15:17 (RV-only PRO 15:17 · LV-only PRO 15:17)

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OET-RV PRO 15:17

17 It’s better to have a meal of vegetables where there’s love,
⇔ ^ than to have roast meat where there’s hate.

OET-LV PRO 15:17

17 Is_good a _portion _of vegetable[s] and_love is_there more_than _an _ox fattened and_hatred in_him/it.

KI2 4:38–41: OET KI2 4:38–41 (RV-only KI2 4:38–41 · LV-only KI2 4:38–41)

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OET-RV KI2 4:38

OET-RV KI2 4:39

39 One person went out to the countryside to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine, and he collected wild fruit from it—as many as he could hold in the fold of his robe. Then not realising that they were poisonous, he came and he sliced them into the pot of stew.

OET-RV KI2 4:40

40 Then they served it up for the men to eat, but when they ate it, they called out, “Man of God, there’s poison in that pot!”

OET-RV KI2 4:41

41 “Bring me some flour,” Elisha said. Then he threw it into the pot, and said, “Serve it up for the people to eat,” and no one was harmed.

OET-LV KI2 4:38

OET-LV KI2 4:39

39 And_ one_man _he/it _went _out to the_field to_gather herbs and_he _found a _vine _of the_field and_he _gathered from_him/it gourds _of the_field the _fullness _of his _garment _of_his and_he _came and_he _sliced_them into the _pot _of the _cooked _food if/because not people _knew.

OET-LV KI2 4:40

40 And_they _poured_it_out for_the_men to_eat and_he/it _was just_as_they _ate some_of_the _cooked _food and_they they _cried _out and_they _said death is_in_pot Oh _man _of the_ʼElohīm and_not they _were _able to_eat_it.

OET-LV KI2 4:41

41 And_he/it _said and_fetch flour and_he _threw_it into the_pot and_he/it _said pour_it_out for_people so_that _they _may _eat and_not it _was a _thing bad in_pot.

NUM 9:11: OET NUM 9:11 (RV-only NUM 9:11 · LV-only NUM 9:11)

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OET-RV NUM 9:11

11 They can start it on the evening of the 14th of the second month, and eat it as usual with flat bread and bitter herbs.

OET-LV NUM 9:11

11 In_month the_second on_the_four- teen day between the_evenings they _will _observe DOM_him/it with unleavened _bread(s) and_bitter _herbs they_will _eat _it.

MAT 23:23: OET MAT 23:23 (RV-only MAT 23:23 · LV-only MAT 23:23)

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OET-RV MAT 23:23

23 “You religious teachers and Farisaios are hypocrites and will have a bad end, because you give a tenth of your herbs, but you ignore the weightier parts of God’s commands, like justice, mercy, and faith. It’s good to tithe, but those other things should also be observed, and not left out.

OET-LV MAT 23:23

23 Woe to _you _all, scribes and Farisaios_party, hypocrites.
Because you _all _are _tithing the mint and the dill and the cummin, and you _all _left the heavier of _the law:
the justice and the mercy and the faith.
But it _was _fitting to _do these things, and _those not to _leave.

LUK 11:42: OET LUK 11:42 (RV-only LUK 11:42 · LV-only LUK 11:42)

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OET-RV LUK 11:42

42 “But you Farisaios won’t end well, because you give a tenth of your herbs and vegetables, yet you all ignore giving justice and loving God, both of which need to be done and cannot be ignored.

OET-LV LUK 11:42

42 But woe to _you _all the Farisaios_party, because you _all _are _tithing the mint, and the rue, and every garden _plant, and you _all _are _passing _by the justice and the love of_ the _god.
And these things it _was _fitting to _do, and _those things to_ not _neglect.

Seasonings were welcome additives to the rather bland character of typical Israelite fare. Salt came mainly from the Dead Sea area and was essential as a seasoning and preserving agent. Salt was so important in the diet that it became part of the vocabulary of moral obligation. The sharing of salt with a person at a meal sealed a covenant or pact (Nm 18:19 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). In the Levitical sacrificial ritual, salt was part of meat and cereal offerings, since it signified the sealing of God’s covenant with Israel (Lv 2:13 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Ez 43:24 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

NUM 18:19: OET NUM 18:19 (RV-only NUM 18:19 · LV-only NUM 18:19)

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OET-RV NUM 18:19

19 All sacred donations by the Israelis, I’ve permanently given to you and your children to eat—it’s an irrevocable agreement with Yahweh for you and your future ancestors.”

OET-LV NUM 18:19

19 All _of the _contributions _of the _holy _gifts which the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) they _will _offer _up to/for_YHWH I _give to/for_yourself(m) and_to_sons _of_your and_to_daughters _of_your with_you to_a _prescribed _portion _of perpetuity is_a _covenant _of salt _of perpetuity it to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before YHWH to/for_yourself(m) and_to_offspring _of_your with_you.

LEV 2:13: OET LEV 2:13 (RV-only LEV 2:13 · LV-only LEV 2:13)

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OET-RV LEV 2:13

13 However, every grain offering must be salted—the salt in the grain offering is a reminder of our agreement, so it must always be present.

OET-LV LEV 2:13

13 And_all present _of your _grain _offering _of_your with_salt you _will _salt and_not you _must _cause _to _cease the _salt _of the _covenant _of your(pl)_god _of_your from_under offering _of_your _grain with every _of present _of_your you _will _present salt.

EZE 43:24: OET EZE 43:24 (RV-only EZE 43:24 · LV-only EZE 43:24)

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OET-RV EZE 43:24

24 and offer them to me, Yahweh. The priests will throw salt onto them and present them as a burnt offering to Yahweh.

OET-LV EZE 43:24

24 And_you_will _bring _them _near to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before YHWH and_ the_priests _they _will _throw on_them salt and_they _will _offer _up them a _burnt _offering to/for_YHWH.

The mustard tree, which was probably grown for its oil content, grew from a minute seed to the height of 15 feet (4.5 meters) (Mt 13:31-32 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Anise, coriander, and cinnamon were also available (Ex 16:31 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Nm 11:7 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Perhaps the most popular and widely used spice, apart from salt, was garlic. Vinegar was also probably used as a flavoring agent and a preservative. From the number of seeds and plants found in Egyptian tombs from the 18th dynasty, it is obvious that the use of seasoning was widespread in antiquity.

MAT 13:31–32: OET MAT 13:31–32 (RV-only MAT 13:31–32 · LV-only MAT 13:31–32)

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OET-RV MAT 13:31

31 Another one of his parables went like this: “The heavenly kingdom is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field.

OET-RV MAT 13:32

32 Even though it’s a very small seed, it grows larger than most garden plants, and becomes such a large bush that birds even come and nest in its branches.”

OET-LV MAT 13:31

31 Another parable he _set _before to _them saying, the kingdom of _the heavens is Similar to_a_seed of _mustard, which a_man having _taken sowed in the field of _him,

OET-LV MAT 13:32

32 which on _one _hand it _is smaller of _all the seeds, on _the _other _hand whenever it _may _be _grown is greater than the garden _plants and is _becoming a_tree, so _that the birds of _the sky to _come and to _be _nesting in the branches of _it.

EXO 16:31: OET EXO 16:31 (RV-only EXO 16:31 · LV-only EXO 16:31)

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OET-RV EXO 16:31

31 The Israelis named it ‘manna’ (which sounds like Hebrew ‘What is it?’). It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like wafers with honey.

OET-LV EXO 16:31

31 And_ the _household _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) _they _called DOM his/its_name manna and_he like_the_seed _of coriander was_white and_taste _of_its was_like_a _wafer with_honey.

NUM 11:7: OET NUM 11:7 (RV-only NUM 11:7 · LV-only NUM 11:7)

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OET-RV NUM 11:7

7 (The ‘stuff’ they ate every day was a bit like coriander seed except kind of clear.

OET-LV NUM 11:7

7 And_the_manna was_like_seed _of coriander it and_appearance _of_its was_like_the _appearance _of the_bdellium.

Fruits, Nuts, and Wine

Olive trees grew abundantly in Palestine and were an excellent source of food and oil. Even in poor soil, one tree could sufficiently supply a family for a whole year. Some green olives were pickled in brine and eaten with bread, but the olive was most important as a source of oil. Olive oil was used in baking bread and cakes and in frying foods. The best quality olive oil was used in the temple sacrifices.

Oil was extracted from olives by a simple process: for the finest quality oil, olives were picked before fully ripe and then crushed by hand with a stone mortar and pestle. Usually, however, pickers beat the olives from trees with long poles and collected them in baskets. The oil was then trodden out, probably in the same vat used for grapes (Mi 6:15 OET (RV-only · LV-only)), which were harvested approximately four weeks later.

MIC 6:15: OET MIC 6:15 (RV-only MIC 6:15 · LV-only MIC 6:15)

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OET-RV MIC 6:15

15 You’ll sow, but not harvest.
⇔ ≈ You’ll tread the olives, but not anoint yourselves with their oil.
⇔ ≈ You’ll press grapes, but not drink the wine.

OET-LV MIC 6:15

15 You you _will _sow and_not you _will _reap you you _will _tread olive[s] and_not you _will _anoint _yourself oil and_new _wine and_not you _will _drink wine.

An oil mill was developed subsequently, and the heavy upper grinding stone was turned by two people. As the oil dripped through, it was collected in another stone vat and was allowed to settle and purify. When refined, the oil was stored in skins or jars.

Fig trees grew in all areas of Palestine. They required little attention and provided two or three crops per year. The most abundant of these was the second, which ripened in late summer. The first figs of the season were considered a great delicacy (Is 28:4 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Mi 7:1 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). The prophet Hosea suggested that the Israelites were like the firstfruits of the fig tree (Hos 9:10 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Another prophet, Jeremiah, spoke of those who had gone into exile as being like the first figs, while those who were left behind were the bad figs, fit only for destruction (Jer 24:1-10 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

ISA 28:4: OET ISA 28:4 (RV-only ISA 28:4 · LV-only ISA 28:4)

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OET-RV ISA 28:4

4 The fading flower of its beauty and splendour at the head of a lush valley
⇔ will be like a very early fig before summer.
⇔ The ones who see it will grab it and swallow it.

OET-LV ISA 28:4

4 And_it _will _be a _flower (of)_which_withers the _beauty _of its _splendour _of_his which is_on the_head _of a _valley _of fatness(es) like_an _early _fig before_before summer which the_one_who_sees it he _will _see while_still_it is_in_palm _of_his he_will _swallow _it.

MIC 7:1: OET MIC 7:1 (RV-only MIC 7:1 · LV-only MIC 7:1)

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OET-RV MIC 7:1

7 I’m miserable because I’ve become like the gathering of left-over fruit,
⇔ and like the grapes that have already been gleaned.
⇔ There’s no grape clusters to eat,
⇔ and none of the ripe early figs that I really felt like.

OET-LV MIC 7:1

7 Woe to_me if/because I _have _become like_gathering(s)_of summer _fruit like_gleanings _of the_grape _harvest there_is_not a _cluster _of _grapes to_eat an _early _fig appetite _of_my it _craves.

HOS 9:10: OET HOS 9:10 (RV-only HOS 9:10 · LV-only HOS 9:10)

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OET-RV HOS 9:10

10 I found Yisrael (Israel) like someone finding grapes there in the wilderness.
⇔ ≈ Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your ancestors.
⇔ But they came to Ba’al -Pe’or and they devoted themselves to that shameful thing.
⇔ ≈ They became detestable like that which they loved.

OET-LV HOS 9:10

10 Like_grapes in_wilderness I _found Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) like_an _early _fig on_a _fig _tree at_beginning _of_its I _saw ancestors _of_your(pl) they they _came Baˊal Pəˊōr and_they _separated _themselves to_shame and_they _were detestable _things according_to_their _love.

JER 24:1–10: OET JER 24:1–10 (RV-only JER 24:1–10 · LV-only JER 24:1–10)

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OET-RV JER 24:1

24 ⇔After the Babylonian King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) had carried away Yehoyakin, son of Yehudah’s (Judah) King Yehoyakim, as well as Yehudah’s officials and Yerushalem’s (Jerusalem) craftsmen and metalsmiths, and had taken them to Bavel (Babylon), Yahweh showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of his temple.

OET-RV JER 24:2

2 One basket of figs was very good like early, ripe figs, but the figs in the other basket were so bad that they weren’t edible.

OET-RV JER 24:3

3 Then Yahweh asked me, “Yirmiyah (Jeremiah), what do you see?”
¶ “Figs,” I replied. “Some figs that look very good, and others that are so bad they’re inedible.”

OET-RV JER 24:4

4 Then Yahweh gave me this message:

OET-RV JER 24:5

5 Yisrael’s (Israel) god, Yahweh, says this: I’ll look favourably at the exiles from Yehudah just like those good figs, the exiles that I’ve sent out from this place to Bavel.

OET-RV JER 24:6

6 I’ll give them my favour and restore them to this land. I’ll build them up, and not tear them down. I’ll plant them, and not uproot them.

OET-RV JER 24:7

7 Then I will give them a desire to know me, because I’m Yahweh. They’ll be my people and I will be their god, so they will turn to me wholeheartedly.

OET-RV JER 24:8

8 But Yahweh declares that just like those bad figs that are inedible will be discarded, I’ll act in that same way towards Yehudah’s King Tsidkiyah (Zedekiah), along with his officials and the rest of Yerushalem (Jerusalem) who remain in this land or go to stay in the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt).

OET-RV JER 24:9

9 I’ll turn them into something horrifying—a disaster, right there in the sight of all the world’s kingdoms—a disgrace and a subject for proverbs, taunts, and curses in every place that I’ll drive them into.

OET-RV JER 24:10

10 I’ll send armies, famine, and disease against them until they’re destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their ancestors.

OET-LV JER 24:1

24 He_showed _me YHWH and_BEHOLD/LO/SEE two _of baskets _of figs were_set to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before the _temple _of YHWH after Nəⱱūkadneʦʦar the _king _of Bāⱱel took _into _exile DOM Yəkon^yāh/(Jeconiah) the _son _of Yəhōyāqīm/(Jehoiakim) the _king _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_DOM the _officials _of Yəhūdāh and_DOM the_craftsman and_DOM the_smith from_Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) and_he_brought _them Bāⱱel.

OET-LV JER 24:2

2 The_basket one was_figs good very like_the _figs _of the _early _figs and_the_basket one was_figs bad very which not they _will _be _eaten from_badness.

OET-LV JER 24:3

3 And_ YHWH _he/it _said to_me what are_you seeing Oh _Yirmə^yāh/(Jeremiah) and_I _said figs the_figs (the)_good are_good very and_the _bad_figs are_bad very which not they _will _be _eaten from_badness.

OET-LV JER 24:4

4 And_ the _message _of YHWH _he/it _was to_me to_say.

OET-LV JER 24:5

5 Thus YHWH the _god _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he _says like_figs (the)_good the_these so I _will _regard DOM the _exile[s]_of Yəhūdāh whom I _have _sent from the_place the_this the _land _of the_ones_from _Kasdiy for_good.

OET-LV JER 24:6

6 And_I _will _set eye _of_my on_them for_good and_I_will _bring _them _back to the_earth/land (the)_this and_I_will _build _them _up and_not I _will _tear_them_down and_I_will _plant _them and_not I _will _pluck_them_up.

OET-LV JER 24:7

7 And_I _will _give to/for_them a _heart to_know DOM_me if/because _that I am_YHWH and_they _will _be to_me (into)_a_people and_I I _will _become to/for_them (into)_god if/because they _will _return to_me in_all heart _of_their.

OET-LV JER 24:8

8 And_like_figs (the)_bad which not they _will _be _eaten from_badness if/because thus YHWH he _says so I _will _make DOM Tsidqiy^yāh/(Zedekiah) the _king _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_DOM officials _of_his and_DOM the _remnant _of Yərūshālaim/(Jerusalem) those_who_remain on _the_earth (the)_this and_those_who_dwell in_land of _Miʦrayim/(Egypt).

OET-LV JER 24:9

9 And_I_will _make _them mmm into_an _evil to_all/each/any/every the _kingdoms _of the_earth/land into_a _reproach and_into_a _byword into_a _taunt and_into_a _curse in_all the_places where I_will _banish _them there.

OET-LV JER 24:10

10 And_I _will _send on_them DOM the_drought//sword/knife DOM the_famine and_DOM the_pestilence until they_are _finished from_under the_soil which I _gave to/for_them and_to_ancestors _of_their.

Figs were usually eaten fresh from the trees, but some were pressed into cakes to use when traveling (1 Sm 25:18 OET (RV-only · LV-only); 30:12 OET (RV-only · LV-only); 1 Chr 12:40 OET (RV-only · LV-only CH1 12:41)). Figs were also valuable for medicinal purposes, since effective poultices could be made from them (2 Kgs 20:7 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Is 38:21 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). Sycamore trees produced small, figlike fruit eaten primarily by the poor. A short time before harvest, the fruit was slightly incised, making it swell and ripen more quickly. The prophet Amos notched sycamore fruit before he was called by God (Am 7:14 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

SA1 30:12: OET SA1 30:12 (RV-only SA1 30:12 · LV-only SA1 30:12)

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OET-RV SA1 30:12

12 along with a slice of fig cake and two raisin clusters. He ate it and felt stronger again because he hadn’t eaten or drunk for three full days.

OET-LV SA1 30:12

12 And_they _gave to_him/it a _slice _of fig _cake and_two _of bunches _of _raisins and_he _ate and_ his/its_breath/wind/spirit _it _returned to_him/it if/because not he _had _eaten food and_not he _had _drunk water three days and_three nights.

CH1 12:40: OET CH1 12:40 (RV-only CH1 12:40 · LV-only CH1 12:41)

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OET-RV CH1 12:40

40 Also, people who lived near that area (even as far as the tribal areas belonging to Yisakar (Issachar), Zevulun, and Naftali (Naphtali)) were bringing bread on donkeys and camels, and on mules and on oxen: plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, and oil, as well as oxen and sheep, because Yisrael was celebrating.

OET-LV CH1 12:41

41  And_also the_people_near to_them to Issachar and_Zəⱱūlūn and_Naftali were_bringing food on_donkeys and_on_camels and_on_mules and_on_ox[en] food flour fig _cakes and_bunches _of _raisins and_wine and_oil and_ox[en] and_sheep to_increase _in _number if/because joy was_in_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

KI2 20:7: OET KI2 20:7 (RV-only KI2 20:7 · LV-only KI2 20:7)

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OET-RV KI2 20:7

7 Then Yeshayah told them to bring some pressed figs, and they brought them and placed them on the sore, and Hizkiyah started getting better.

OET-LV KI2 20:7

7 And_ Yəshaˊ^yāh/(Isaiah) _he/it _said take a _cake _of figs and_they _took and_they _put_it on the_boil and_he _lived.

ISA 38:21: OET ISA 38:21 (RV-only ISA 38:21 · LV-only ISA 38:21)

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OET-RV ISA 38:21

21 Then Yeshayah (Isaiah) said, “Get them to apply a cake of figs to the boil so he’ll recover.”

OET-LV ISA 38:21

21 And_ Yəshaˊ^yāh/(Isaiah) _he/it _said let _them _take a _cake _of figs and_let _them _rub_it on the_boil so_that _he _may _live.

AMO 7:14: OET AMO 7:14 (RV-only AMO 7:14 · LV-only AMO 7:14)

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OET-RV AMO 7:14

14 “I’m not a prophet,” Amos answered the priest. “Nor am I a prophet’s son, because I’m a herdsman, plus I take care of an orchard.

OET-LV AMO 7:14

14 And_ ʼĀmōʦ _he _answered and_he/it _said to Amaziah not am_a _prophet I and_not am_a _son _of a _prophet I if/because was_a _herdsman I and_a _fig _picker _of sycamores.

Fruit from the date palm could also have been pressed into flat cakes for travelers, as figs were. The Bible, however, makes no specific reference to its fruit as food (see Jgs 4:5 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Ps 92:12 OET (RV-only · LV-only PSA 92:13); Jl 1:12 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Jn 12:13 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

JDG 4:5: OET JDG 4:5 (RV-only JDG 4:5 · LV-only JDG 4:5)

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OET-RV JDG 4:5

5 She would sit under the palm tree between Ramah and Beyt -El (Bethel) (in the Efrati hill country), and people would come to her to have their disputes settled.

OET-LV JDG 4:5

5 And_she was_dwelling under the _palm _tree _of Dəbōrāh between (the)_Rāmāh and_between Bēyt- ^ʼēl in_the _hill _country _of ʼEfrayim and_they _went _up to_her/it the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) for_judgement.

PSA 92:12: OET PSA 92:12 (RV-only PSA 92:12 · LV-only PSA 92:13)

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OET-RV PSA 92:12

⇔  12 A godly person flourishes like a palm tree.
⇔ ≈ That person will grow like a cedar tree in Levanon.

OET-LV PSA 92:13

13  The_righteous like _(the)_tree he _will _flourish like_a _cedar in_Ləⱱānōn he _will _grow.

JOL 1:12: OET JOL 1:12 (RV-only JOL 1:12 · LV-only JOL 1:12)

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OET-RV JOL 1:12

12 The grapevine has dried up and the fig tree has been made weak.
⇔ ≈ The pomegranate tree, also the palm tree and the apple tree, all of the trees across the countryside have dried up.
⇔ → So humanity’s joy has dried up.

OET-LV JOL 1:12

12 The_vine it _has _dried _up and_the _fig_tree it _has _languished the_pomegranate _tree also the_palm _tree and_the_apple _tree all _of the _trees _of the_field they _have _dried _up if/because joy it _has _been _ashamed from the _children _of humankind.

JHN 12:13: OET JHN 12:13 (RV-only JHN 12:13 · LV-only JHN 12:13)

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OET-RV JHN 12:13

13 took long branches from palm trees and brought them out as they went to meet him. They called out, “Honoured saviour! The one coming in Yahweh’s authority has been blessed by God. This is Yisrael’s (Israel) king.”

OET-LV JHN 12:13

13 they _took the palm _branches of _the palm _trees and came _out in meeting to _him, and they _were _crying _out:
Honoured _saviour.
Having _been _blessed is the one coming in the_name of_the_master, and the king of_ the _Israaʸl/(Yisrā^ʼēl).

Another popular Near Eastern fruit was the red pomegranate. It was eaten whole, or the seeds were pressed to provide a refreshing drink. The pomegranate is mentioned in temple ritual as one of the fruits brought back from Canaan to Moses by his spies (Ex 28:33 OET (RV-only · LV-only)) and as an exotic drink (Sg 8:2 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). The “apple” mentioned in Scripture (Prv 25:11 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Sg 2:5 OET (RV-only · LV-only)) was most likely a type of apricot or quince, not an apple as we know it today. Nuts were used for additional flavor in cooking. Almonds and pistachio nuts were among the gifts sent by Jacob to ransom his sons (Gn 43:11 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

EXO 28:33: OET EXO 28:33 (RV-only EXO 28:33 · LV-only EXO 28:33)

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OET-RV EXO 28:33

33 Then on the bottom hem, make decorations that look like pomegranates—they must be made from blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. Gold bells should hang in between the pomegranates

OET-LV EXO 28:33

33 And_you _will _make on skirts _of_its pomegranates _of violet _stuff and_purple and_scarlet _stuff _of scarlet on skirts _of_its all _around and_bells _of gold will_be_of_between _them all _around.

SNG 8:2: OET SNG 8:2 (RV-only SNG 8:2 · LV-only SNG 8:2)

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OET-RV SNG 8:2

2 I would lead you.
⇔ I would bring you to my mother’s house—she who taught me.
⇔ I would have you drink some spiced wine,
⇔ ≈ and some of my pomegranate juice.

OET-LV SNG 8:2

2 I_will _lead _you I_will _bring _you to the _house _of my _mother _of_my who_she_taught _me I_will _give _you _to _drink some_(the)_wine of _(the)_spice some_of _the _juice _of my _pomegranate _of_my.

PRO 25:11: OET PRO 25:11 (RV-only PRO 25:11 · LV-only PRO 25:11)

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OET-RV PRO 25:11

11 Good advice given at the right time
⇔ is like gold apples set in a silver frame.

OET-LV PRO 25:11

11 Apples _of gold in_carvings _of silver a _message spoken on times _of_its _proper.

SNG 2:5: OET SNG 2:5 (RV-only SNG 2:5 · LV-only SNG 2:5)

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OET-RV SNG 2:5

5 Sustain me with raisin cakes.
⇔ ≈ Refresh me with apples,
⇔ because I’m weak with love.

OET-LV SNG 2:5

5 Sustain_me with_raisin-cakes refresh_me with_apples if/because am_weak _of love I.

GEN 43:11: OET GEN 43:11 (RV-only GEN 43:11 · LV-only GEN 43:11)

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OET-RV GEN 43:11

11 “Well, if that’s our only choice,” their father acceded, “then do this: Take some of the best produce from around here in your bags, and take it down to the man as a gift: a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, and some pistachio nuts and almonds.

OET-LV GEN 43:11

11 And_he/it _said to_them Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) father _of_their if so then this do take some_of _the _best _products _of the_earth/land in_vessels _of_your(pl) and_take _down to_man a _gift a _little _of balm and_a _little _of honey spice and_myrrh pistachio _nuts and_almonds.

Grapes were popular and plentiful from the early Bronze Age. In addition to being eaten fresh from the vine, grapes were dried as raisins (Nm 6:3 OET (RV-only · LV-only); 1 Sm 25:18 OET (RV-only · LV-only)) or pressed, their juice drunk either as new wine or fermented into an alcoholic drink. One of the duties of the cup-bearer in ancient royal courts was to provide grape juice or wine for the king, his family, and guests (Gn 40:9-13 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

NUM 6:3: OET NUM 6:3 (RV-only NUM 6:3 · LV-only NUM 6:3)

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OET-RV NUM 6:3

3 they must keep away from wine and strong drink, and even vinegar made from wine or strong drink, plus they mustn’t drink grape juice or eat either grapes or raisins.

OET-LV NUM 6:3

3 From_wine and_strong _drink he _will _keep _separate vinegar _of wine and_vinegar _of strong _drink not he _will _drink and_all juice _of grapes not he _will _drink and_grapes fresh and_dry not he _will _eat.

GEN 40:9–13: OET GEN 40:9–13 (RV-only GEN 40:9–13 · LV-only GEN 40:9–13)

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OET-RV GEN 40:9

9 Then the chief of the cupbearers went first and told his dream to Yosef, “Listen, in my dream there was a grapevine in front of me

OET-RV GEN 40:10

10 with three branches on it. Then as soon as the buds appeared on the branches, its blossoms came out straight away and its clusters ripened into grapes.

OET-RV GEN 40:11

11 Then I was holding Par’oh’s cup and I took the grapes and squeezed them into it and I gave the cup to Par’oh.”

OET-RV GEN 40:12

12 “This is the interpretation,” Yosef responded. “The three branches represent three days.

OET-RV GEN 40:13

13 Within three days, Par’oh will display you publicly and then restore you to your position. Then you’ll place Par’oh’s cup into his hand, just like you used to before when you were his cupbearer.

OET-LV GEN 40:9

9 And_ the _chief _of the _cup _bearers _he _recounted DOM dream _of_his to_Yōşēf and_he/it _said to_him/it in_dream _of_my and_BEHOLD/LO/SEE a _vine was_before _of_me.

OET-LV GEN 40:10

10 And_were_on_vine three branches and_she just_as_it_was_budding blossom _of_its it _went _up clusters _of_its they _ripened grapes.

OET-LV GEN 40:11

11 And_the _cup _of Parˊoh was_in_hand _of_my and_I _took DOM the_grapes and_I _squeezed DOM_them into the _cup _of Parˊoh and_I _put DOM the_cup on the _palm _of Parˊoh.

OET-LV GEN 40:12

12 And_he/it _said to_him/it Yōşēf/(Joseph) this interpretation _of_is_its the _three _of the_branches are_three _of days they.

OET-LV GEN 40:13

13 In_again three _of days Parˊoh he _will _lift _up DOM head _of_your and_bring _back_will _restore _you to office _of_your and_you _will _put the _cup _of Parˊoh in_his/its_hand according_the _custom (the)_former when you _were bearer _of_his _cup.

The juice of grapes also provided vinegar when wine deteriorated. Vinegar was used as a flavoring agent in cooking and as a preservative. When diluted with water, it supplied a refreshing drink for workers in the fields. A type of jelly was made in the Near East by boiling grapes until they assumed the consistency of molasses. This syrup could also be used as a sweetening agent in cooking.

Wine was the universal drink in antiquity. It could be diluted with water or mixed with spices or honey to make a mulled wine (Sg 8:2 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Is 5:22 OET (RV-only · LV-only)). The Hebrew word for “banquet” or “feast” literally means “drinking,” which reveals much of the character of such occasions. A certain amount of merriment was considered proper at a festival or banquet (Gn 43:34 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Jgs 9:13 OET (RV-only · LV-only); Lk 5:34 OET (RV-only · LV-only)).

ISA 5:22: OET ISA 5:22 (RV-only ISA 5:22 · LV-only ISA 5:22)

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OET-RV ISA 5:22

⇔  22 Those who are experts at drinking wine won’t end well,
⇔ ≈ nor those whose strength is mixing strong drinks,

OET-LV ISA 5:22

22 Woe _to men_mighty for_drinking wine and_people _of ability for_mixing strong _drink.

GEN 43:34: OET GEN 43:34 (RV-only GEN 43:34 · LV-only GEN 43:34)

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OET-RV GEN 43:34

34 Then they were served food Yosef’s table, but Benyamin’s serving was five times larger than any of the others, and they drank and they and Yosef all got a bit tiddly.

OET-LV GEN 43:34

34 And_someone _took portions from_with his/its_faces/face to_them and_ the _portion _of Binyāmīn _it _was _great more_than _the _portions _of all _of _them _of_their five hands and_they _drank and_they _became _drunk with_him/it.

JDG 9:13: OET JDG 9:13 (RV-only JDG 9:13 · LV-only JDG 9:13)

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OET-RV JDG 9:13

13 But the vine replied, ‘Have I stopped producing my new wine, which cheers gods and man, that I should go to sway over the other trees?’

OET-LV JDG 9:13

13 And_she/it _said to/for_them the_vine will_I _cease DOM wine _of_my _new which_makes_glad gods and_men and_will _I _go to_sway over the_trees.

LUK 5:34: OET LUK 5:34 (RV-only LUK 5:34 · LV-only LUK 5:34)

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OET-RV LUK 5:34

34 “You can’t make the groomsmen fast at a wedding,” Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) responded, “not while the groom is with them.

OET-LV LUK 5:34

34 And the Yaʸsous said to them:
You _all _are_ not _being _able to _make the sons of _the bridal _chamber in which the bridegroom is with them to _be _fasting?

Wine making was similar in many respects to the production of olive oil. Clusters of grapes were cut from the vine with a sickle, collected in baskets, and taken to the winepress, where they were trodden by men and women. The juice ran into a lower vat, where, under the hot sun, fermentation began almost immediately. The wine was left to settle so that any twigs or skins would form a sediment; after that the wine could be strained off. In about six weeks the wine was ready to drink or store in earthenware jars or wineskins.