Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "victuals" refers to food or provisions, especially as prepared for consumption. In the context of the Bible, victuals are often mentioned in relation to sustenance provided by God or prepared by individuals for themselves and others. The word is derived from the Latin "victualia," meaning provisions, and is used in various translations of the Bible to denote the necessities of life, particularly food.
Biblical References:1.
Provision in the Wilderness: In the Old Testament, the Israelites' journey through the wilderness is marked by God's miraculous provision of victuals. In
Exodus 16, God provides manna from heaven to sustain the Israelites. This daily provision underscores God's care and faithfulness. The Berean Standard Bible states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day'" (
Exodus 16:4).
2.
Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath: In
1 Kings 17, during a time of drought and famine, God commands Elijah to go to Zarephath, where a widow will provide him with food. Despite her meager resources, the widow's obedience results in a miraculous supply of flour and oil. The BSB records, "For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth'" (
1 Kings 17:14).
3.
David and His Men: In
1 Samuel 25, Abigail provides victuals to David and his men, averting potential conflict. Her generous provision of food demonstrates wisdom and hospitality. The BSB recounts, "Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys" (
1 Samuel 25:18).
4.
New Testament Context: In the New Testament, victuals are mentioned in the context of hospitality and community. In
Acts 2:46, the early Christians are described as breaking bread together with gladness and sincerity of heart. The sharing of meals symbolizes fellowship and unity among believers.
Theological Significance:Victuals in the Bible often symbolize God's provision and care for His people. They serve as a reminder of the dependence of humanity on divine sustenance. The provision of food is not merely a physical necessity but also a spiritual metaphor for God's sustaining grace. Jesus, in the New Testament, refers to Himself as the "bread of life," emphasizing that true sustenance comes from Him (
John 6:35).
Practical Implications:The biblical concept of victuals encourages believers to trust in God's provision and to practice hospitality and generosity. It calls for a recognition of God's blessings and a willingness to share with others, reflecting the communal and caring nature of the Christian faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n. pl.) Food for human beings, esp. when it is cooked or prepared for the table; that which supports human life; provisions; sustenance; meat; viands.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
VICTUALSvit'-'-lz.
SeeFOOD.
Greek
1979. episitismos -- provisions... food, provisions. From a compound of epi and a derivative of sitos; a provisioning,
ie (concretely) food --
victuals. see GREEK epi. see GREEK sitos.
...1033. broma -- food
... From the base of bibrosko; food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially)
articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law -- meat,victuals....
Strong's Hebrew
3899. lechem -- bread, food... 1). showbread, eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat,
victuals. From lacham; food
(for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making
...6718. tsayid -- hunting, game
... yid) Short Definition: catch. catch, food, hunter, that which he took in
hunting, venison,victuals From a form of tsuwd and meaning...
737. aruchah -- a meal, allowance
... allowance, diet, dinner,victuals. Feminine passive participle of 'arach (in the
sense of appointing); a ration of food -- allowance, diet, dinner,victuals....
4241. michyah -- preservation of life, sustenance
... 1). preserve life, quick, recover selves, reviving, sustenance,victuals.
From chayah; preservation of life; hence, sustenance; also...
7668. sheber -- corn, grain
... corn,victuals. The same as sheber; grain (as if broken into kernels) -- corn,victuals.
see HEBREW sheber. 7667, 7668. sheber. 7669 . Strong's Numbers.
6720. tsedah -- provision, food
... meat, provision, venison,victuals. Or tsedah {tsay-daw'}; feminine of tsayid; food --
meat, provision, venison,victuals. see HEBREW tsayid. 6719b, 6720....
400. okel -- food
... eating, food, mealtime, meat, prey,victuals. From 'akal; food -- eating, food,
meal(-time), meat, prey,victuals. see HEBREW 'akal. 399, 400. okel. 401 ....
3557. kul -- to comprehend, contain
... bear, comprehend, contain, feed, forbearing, guide, hold(-ing in), nourish(-er),
be present, make provision, receive, sustain, provide sustenance (victuals)....
Library
Samaria. Sychem.
... the Samaritans was clean, and their fountains clean, and their dwellings clean,
and their paths clean." But much dispute is made about theirvictuals, in the...
Sabbath Observance
... and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath
day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they soldvictuals.16...
The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from...
... at the second, as the Son of Man,' He gave food to those Gentile multitudes which
having been with Him those days, and consumed all theirvictuals during their...
Conclusion
... came to Him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the
multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselvesvictuals...
The Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand
... [3223] It would take quite what Philip had reckoned - about two hundred denarii -
if the Master meant them to go and buyvictuals for all that multitude....
Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... hunger. Jacob, father unto Joseph, heard tell that corn andvictuals were
sold in Egypt, and said to his sons: Why be ye negligent?...
Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
... lead many to "righteousness.". Alms were collected at regular times every
week, either in money or invictuals. At least two were...
Preface.
... The Master once said "Gather up the fragments that nothing be lost." It may be that
victuals will be found here that may feed those who cannot sit down to a...
On Drinking.
... in too great profusion; in order that the food may not be drowned, but ground down
in order to digestion; and this takes place when thevictuals are collected...
That the Word Instructed by the Law and the Prophets.
... "Having feasted to the full," accordingly, it is said, "they rose up to play;"
[1291] senseless repletion withvictuals being called chortasma (fodder), not...
Thesaurus
Victuals (32 Occurrences)... viands. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
VICTUALS. vit'-'-lz. See FOOD.
Multi-Version Concordance
Victuals (32 Occurrences). Matthew
...Usury (17 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY YLT). Leviticus 25:37 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury,
nor lend him thyvictuals for increase. (KJV DBY YLT)....
Walking (189 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:15 and if throughvictuals thy brother is grieved, no more dost thou walk
according to love; do not with thyvictuals destroy that one for whom...
Corn (107 Occurrences)
... In Genesis 42:1, 2, 19, Joshua 9:14, Nehemiah 10:31 ("victuals"), the word (sheber;
ie, "broken, " ie, grist) denotes generallyvictuals, provisions, and corn...
City
... 1. Tower or Stronghold: The Tower or Stronghold was an inner fort which held a garrison
and commander, and was provisioned with "victuals, and oil and wine" (2...
Vie (2 Occurrences)
Victual (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Food; -- now used chiefly in the plural.
SeeVictuals. 2. (n.) Grain of any kind. 3. (vt) To supply...
Victualled (1 Occurrence)
League (20 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to
us, saying, Takevictuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and...
Lading (7 Occurrences)
... and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath
day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they soldvictuals....
Resources
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