Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextBroth, in biblical terms, refers to a liquid food preparation, typically made by boiling meat, bones, or vegetables in water. It is a basic form of sustenance and is often associated with nourishment and simplicity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, broth would have been a common element of daily meals, providing essential nutrients and hydration.
Biblical ReferencesThe concept of broth appears in several passages within the Bible, often symbolizing basic sustenance or a humble meal. One notable reference is found in the account of Esau and Jacob. In
Genesis 25:29-34, Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a simple meal, which includes bread and lentil stew, a form of broth. The passage highlights the impulsive nature of Esau and the significant value placed on immediate physical needs over spiritual inheritance:
"Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. He said to Jacob, 'Please let me have some of that red stew, for I am famished.' That is why he was also called Edom. 'First sell me your birthright,' Jacob replied. 'Look,' said Esau, 'I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?' But Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and went on his way. So Esau despised his birthright." (
Genesis 25:29-34)
Another reference to broth is found in
Isaiah 65:4, where it is mentioned in the context of idolatrous practices. The verse describes people who sit among the graves and spend nights keeping secret vigil, who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat. This passage underscores the association of broth with ritual impurity and disobedience to God's laws:
"They sit among the graves; they spend the night in secret places; they eat the flesh of pigs, and the broth of unclean meat is in their pots." (
Isaiah 65:4)
Cultural and Theological SignificanceIn biblical times, broth was a staple food that represented the basic provision of life. It was accessible to both the wealthy and the poor, serving as a common denominator in the diet of ancient peoples. The simplicity of broth underscores themes of humility and reliance on God's provision. In the account of Esau and Jacob, the exchange of a birthright for a simple meal serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing immediate physical desires over long-term spiritual blessings.
The mention of broth in
Isaiah 65:4 highlights the importance of purity and obedience to God's commandments. The consumption of unclean foods, including certain types of broth, was a violation of the dietary laws given to the Israelites. This serves as a reminder of the call to holiness and the need to separate oneself from practices that are contrary to God's will.
ConclusionWhile broth may seem like a minor detail in the biblical narrative, its presence in Scripture offers insights into the daily life, cultural practices, and spiritual lessons of the ancient world. Through its various mentions, broth serves as a symbol of sustenance, humility, and the importance of aligning one's life with God's commandments.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Liquid in which flesh (and sometimes other substances, as barley or rice) has been boiled; thin or simple soup.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BROTHbroth (maraq): Equivalent to our "soup." When Gideon (Judges 6:19) made ready a kid, "the flesh he put in a basket," but, it is added, "he put the broth in a pot"; and he is told by the angel to "pour out the broth" (Judges 6:20).Isaiah 65:4 makes Yahweh speak of rebellious Israel as "a people that provoke me to my face continually sacrificing in gardens," and adds in description "that eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels" (maraq, paraq).
SeeFOOD.
Strong's Hebrew
4839. maraq -- juice (stewed out of meat),broth... 4838, 4839. maraq. 4840 . juice (stewed out of meat),
broth. Transliteration:
maraq Phonetic Spelling: (maw-rawk') Short Definition:
broth.
...6564. paraq --broth
... paraq. 6565 .broth. Transliteration: paraq Phonetic Spelling: (paw-rawk') Short
Definition:broth....broth From paraq; soup (as full of crumbed meat) --broth....
7388. riyr -- to flow (like slime)
... spittle, white of an egg From ruwr; saliva; by resemblance,broth -- spittle, white
(of an egg). see HEBREW ruwr. 7387, 7388. riyr. 7388a . Strong's Numbers
Library
St. Ambrose Also, Though Dealing with a Question of Very Great...
... from their enemies, he brought forth a kid of the goats, and by direction of the
angel laid it with unleavened cakes upon a rock, and poured thebroth over it...
The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The
... of one man, [784] offered a kid, and according to the word of the Angel, laid its
flesh and the unleavened cakes upon the rock, and poured thebroth upon them....
Examples of the Various Styles, Drawn from the Teachers of the...
... from their enemies, he brought forth a kid of the goats, and by direction of the
angel laid it with unleavened cakes upon a rock, and poured thebroth over it...
The Service Common to the Holy Angels and Other Bodiless Ones.
... And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour:
the flesh he put in a basket, and he put thebroth in a pot, and brought it...
Vesalius the Anatomist {9}
... and Don Carlos, having had a wholesome fright, is, according to Doctor Olivarez,
the medico de camara, a very good lad, and lives on chickenbroth and dried...
From the Close of the General Conference in 1796, to the...
... I am kept cheerful, but very weak. My diet is chiefly tea, potatoes, Indian
meal gruel, and chickenbroth. My reading is only the Bible....
As they Flew, So Fast they Went that the Sea Slid Away from under...
... Now while he is lying there, getting strong again with chickenbroth and other nice
things, I will tell my readers what had been taking place at his home, for...
The Murket's Sacrifice
... The murket came to his side and smoothed the damp hair. The old housekeeper
entered withbroth and bread and a bottle of wine. Mentu...
And they Went Away from Capernaum into the City which is Called...
... a certain day Joseph called to him his first-born son James, [1688] and sent him
into the vegetable garden to gather vegetables for the purpose of makingbroth...
The Fan. Matthew iii. 12
... The last of the Napoleons died under the hand of a savage when he was where he
had no business to be, burning his lips with other folks'broth....
Thesaurus
Broth (4 Occurrences)... (n.) Liquid in which flesh (and sometimes other substances, as barley or rice) has
been boiled; thin or simple soup. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BROTH.
...Egg (3 Occurrences)
... It has been translated "purslain" (RV marg.), and the whole phrase "purslain-broth",
ie,broth made of that herb, proverbial for its insipidity; and hence an...
Sop (3 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:14). Our Lord took a piece of unleavened bread, and dipping it into thebroth
of bitter herbs at the Paschal meal, gave it to Judas. (Comp. Ruth 2:14.)....
Meal-time (1 Occurrence)
... When the meat was boiled in more water than was required for the ordinary "stew"
the result was thebroth (Judges 6:19 f), and the meat and thebroth might...
Mealtime (1 Occurrence)
... When the meat was boiled in more water than was required for the ordinary "stew"
the result was thebroth (Judges 6:19 f), and the meat and thebroth might...
Meals (8 Occurrences)
... When the meat was boiled in more water than was required for the ordinary "stew"
the result was thebroth (Judges 6:19 f), and the meat and thebroth might...
Pot (46 Occurrences)
... In Psalm 60:8; Psalm 108:9, it is a pot for washing. (2) parur (Numbers 11:8 1 Samuel
2:14), a vessel for boiling; in Judges 6:19, a vessel for holdingbroth....
Cakes (65 Occurrences)
... He put the meat in a basket and he put thebroth in a pot, and brought it out to
him under the oak, and presented it. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV)....
Unleavened (51 Occurrences)
... He put the meat in a basket and he put thebroth in a pot, and brought it out to
him under the oak, and presented it. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... meal. He put the meat in a basket and he put thebroth in a pot, and brought
it out to him under the oak, and presented it. (WEB...
Resources
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