Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of breakfast as understood in modern Western culture did not exist. However, the first meal of the day, often referred to as "breaking the fast," was a common practice. The Bible provides various insights into the eating habits and daily routines of people in ancient times, which can help us understand the significance of morning meals.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, meals were typically simple and consisted of bread, fruits, and occasionally meat. The Israelites, during their wilderness journey, were provided with manna from heaven, which they collected in the morning.
Exodus 16:21 states, "Each morning they gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away." This daily provision from God can be seen as a form of breakfast, sustaining the Israelites for their day's journey.
The account of Elijah in
1 Kings 19:5-8 also highlights the importance of nourishment in the morning. After fleeing from Jezebel, Elijah lay down under a broom tree, exhausted. An angel of the Lord provided him with a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water, instructing him to eat and drink. This meal gave Elijah the strength to travel for forty days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, breakfast is not explicitly mentioned, but morning meals were part of daily life. Jesus, after His resurrection, prepared breakfast for His disciples. In
John 21:9-13 , it is recorded, "When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus told them, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.' So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. 'Come, have breakfast,' Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, 'Who are You?' They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish." This passage illustrates the communal and sustaining nature of a morning meal shared with the Lord.
Cultural and Spiritual SignificanceIn biblical times, meals were not only about physical sustenance but also about fellowship and spiritual nourishment. The act of sharing a meal, especially in the morning, was an opportunity for community and reflection on God's provision. The simplicity of the meals, often consisting of bread and fish, reflects the humble and grateful attitude expected of believers.
The Bible encourages believers to start their day with gratitude and reliance on God.
Psalm 5:3 states, "In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation." This verse underscores the importance of beginning the day with prayer and dependence on God, akin to the physical nourishment provided by breakfast.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not explicitly mention breakfast as a distinct meal, the principles of morning nourishment, both physical and spiritual, are evident throughout Scripture. The examples of manna, Elijah's sustenance, and Jesus' post-resurrection meal with His disciples highlight the importance of starting the day with God's provision and presence.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The first meal in the day, or that which is eaten at the first meal.
2. (n.) A meal after fasting, or food in general.
3. (v. i.) To break one's fast in the morning; too eat the first meal in the day.
4. (v. t.) To furnish with breakfast.
Greek
709. aristao -- tobreakfast, hence to take a meal... to
breakfast, hence to take a meal. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aristao
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-is-tah'-o) Short Definition: I
breakfast, dine
...712. ariston --breakfast, dinner
...breakfast, dinner. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ariston Phonetic
Spelling: (ar'-is-ton) Short Definition:breakfast or a mid-day meal Definition...
Library
When Diamond Went Home toBreakfast, He Found his Father and...
... Chapter 9 When Diamond went home tobreakfast, he found his father and mother
already seated at? When Diamond went home tobreakfast...
Breakfast with Mr. Whitefield
... Chapter 14. Justice for Methodists; Methodist Character; Instructions to Parents;
Wesley's Opinion of Mary Queen of ScotsBreakfast with Mr. Whitefield....
The Same Jesus Here Now.
... An unrecognized Stranger who turns out to be Jesus; an unusual haul of fish gotten
in a very unusual way; a warm fire and tastybreakfast for cold hungry men...
The Blossoming Desert.
... He told her also that afterbreakfast I should be in the chapel for morning
worship. She went back to the neighbor's house whence...
The Wind Blew Loud, but Diamond Slept a Deep Sleep...
... been the twittering of the swallows"-over the shallows, you, know; but it may have
been the chirping of the dingy sparrows picking up theirbreakfast in the...
Timely Supplies
... mail arrived. That morning we supplied, as usual, abreakfast to the destitute
poor, who came to the number of seventy. Sometimes...
The Story of a Divine Tragedy
... Nothing could have been more composed than her gaze at Laodice. "Webreakfast in
the hall, now.... This, then, manifestly was not thebreakfast of the menials....
The Formation of the CIM
... Next morning atbreakfast, my kind host came in a little late, and acknowledged
to not having had a very good night. Afterbreakfast...
"Pan, Pan is Dead"
... By the time we have gathered, and held, and then had to let go, three or four of
such little groups, it isbreakfast time, and we want ourbreakfast badly....
A Life for a Life
... I had an egg forbreakfast this morning, and I saw that it was an egg;
there it was, shell and all. God made that egg. I had an...
Thesaurus
Breakfast (5 Occurrences)... 3. (vi) To break one's fast in the morning; too eat the first meal in the day.
4. (vt) To furnish with
breakfast.
...Breakfast (5 Occurrences).
...Dinner (23 Occurrences)
... din'-er (ariston; Matthew 22:4 Luke 11:38 (the Revised Version, margin "breakfast");
Luke 14:12; compare Ruth 2:14 John 21:13): In oriental as in classical...
Fast (157 Occurrences)
... John 21:12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eatbreakfast." None of the disciples dared
inquire of him, "Who are you?" knowing that it was the Lord....
Breaketh (49 Occurrences)
Ventured (5 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:40 From that time, however, no one ventured to challenge Him with a single
question. (WEY). John 21:12 "Come this way and havebreakfast," said Jesus....
Lunch (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A luncheon; specifically, a light repast between
breakfast and dinner. 2. (vi) To take luncheon. Multi-Version Concordance...
Luncheon (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A lump of food. 2. (n.) A portion of food taken at any time except at a
regular meal; an informal or light repast, as betweenbreakfast and dinner....
Lambs (107 Occurrences)
... John 21:15 So when they had eaten theirbreakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon,
son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord...
Wedding (24 Occurrences)
... "'Mybreakfast is now ready," he said, 'my bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and
every preparation is made: come to the wedding.' (WEY DBY NAS NIV)....
Interpretation (45 Occurrences)
... The verb baptizo appears in this sense in Luke 11:38 (margin) where the Pharisee
marveled that Jesus "had not first bathed himself beforebreakfast" (noon-day...
Resources
What is cultural translation? Is cultural translation needed to properly understand the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jesus ask Peter "Do you love me?" three times? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jesus tell Peter to "feed my sheep" in John 21? | GotQuestions.orgBreakfast: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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