Overview
The Bible addresses bread across 22 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Ezekiel and Hosea. Closely related themes include Loaves, Miracles of Christ, the, Prophets and Oven. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.
Key Bible verses about bread
Old Testament
Ezekiel
Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. Forbear: Heb. Be silent lips: Heb. upper lip
So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?
Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword. that: Heb. the pity of your soul
And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.
Hosea
They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened. who: or, the raiser will cease raising: or, waking
In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners. bottles: or, heat through wine
For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. made: or, applied
They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.
New Testament
Matthew
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
John
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
1 Corinthians
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. in: or, for a remembrance
People in the Bible and bread
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying bread for yourself
- Begin with Ezekiel 24:17, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Matthew, Ezekiel and Hosea each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Loaves, Miracles of Christ, the, Prophets and Oven.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about bread?
The Bible addresses bread across 22 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Ezekiel and Hosea. Closely related themes include Loaves, Miracles of Christ, the, Prophets and Oven. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about bread?
The Bible references bread in 22 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention bread?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Ezekiel 24:17: “Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. Forbear: Heb. Be silent lips: Heb. upper lip”
Which people in the Bible are associated with bread?
Jesus.
Preach & teach
Outline a sermon or build a study series on bread.
Preach a series on Bread →