Overview
The Bible addresses gluttony across 29 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Samuel, Genesis and Amos. Closely related themes include Hophni, Offence, Birthright and Esau. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jacob, Esau, Moses and Eli.
Key Bible verses about gluttony
Old Testament
Genesis
And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. with: Heb. with that red, with that red pottage Edom: that is Red
And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? at: Heb. going to die
And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Exodus
Numbers
And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.
Deuteronomy
And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
1 Samuel
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. presently: Heb. as on the day
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
Proverbs
Amos
That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; stretch: or, abound with superfluities
That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; chant: or, quaver
That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. wine: or, in bowls of wine affliction: Heb. breach
Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.
New Testament
Luke
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? thy: Gr. do they require thy soul
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. cut: or, cut him off
People in the Bible and gluttony
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying gluttony for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 25:30, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 1 Samuel, Genesis and Amos each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jacob, Esau and Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Hophni, Offence, Birthright and Esau.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about gluttony?
The Bible addresses gluttony across 29 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Samuel, Genesis and Amos. Closely related themes include Hophni, Offence, Birthright and Esau. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jacob, Esau, Moses and Eli.
How many Bible verses are about gluttony?
The Bible references gluttony in 29 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention gluttony?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 25:30: “And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. with: Heb. with that red, with that red pottage Edom: that is Red”
Which people in the Bible are associated with gluttony?
Jacob, Esau, Moses, Eli and David.
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