Among the Jews was generally made of wheat (Ex. 29:2; Judg. 6:19), though also sometimes of other grains (Gen. 14:18; Judg. 7:13). Parched grain was sometimes used for food without any other preparation (Ruth 2:14). Bread was prepared by kneading in wooden bowls or "kneading troughs" (Gen. 18:6; Ex. 12:34; Jer. 7:18). The dough was mixed with leaven and made into thin cakes, round or oval, and then baked. The bread eaten at the Passover was always unleavened (Ex. 12:15-20; Deut. 16:3). In the towns there were public ovens, which were much made use of for baking bread; there were also bakers by trade (Hos. 7:4; Jer. 37:21). Their ovens were not unlike those of modern times. But sometimes the bread was baked by being placed on the ground that had been heated by a fire, and by covering it with the embers (1 Kings 19:6). This was probably the mode in which Sarah prepared bread on the occasion referred to in Gen. 18:6. In Lev. 2 there is an account of the different kinds of bread and cakes used by the Jews. (See [77]BAKE.) The shew-bread (q.v.) consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened bread prepared and presented hot on the golden table every Sabbath. They were square or oblong, and represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The old loaves were removed every Sabbath, and were to be eaten only by the priests in the court of the sanctuary (Ex. 25:30; Lev. 24:8; 1 Sam. 21:1-6; Matt. 12:4). The word bread is used figuratively in such expressions as "bread of sorrows" (Ps. 127:2), "bread of tears" (80:5), i.e., sorrow and tears are like one's daily bread, they form so great a part in life. The bread of "wickedness" (Prov. 4:17) and "of deceit" (20:17) denote in like manner that wickedness and deceit are a part of the daily life. The preparation of bread as an article of food dates from a very early period. (Genesis 18:6) The corn or grain employed was of various sorts. The best bread was made of wheat, but "barley" and spelt were also used. (John 6:9,13; Isaiah 28:25) The process of making bread was as follows: the flour was first mixed with water or milk; it was then kneaded with the hands (in Egypt with the feet also) in a small wooden bowl or "kneading-trough" until it became dough. (Exodus 12:34,39; 2 Samuel 13:3; Jeremiah 7:18) When the kneading was completed, leaven was generally added [[320]Leaven]; but when the time for preparation was short, it was omitted, and unleavened cakes, hastily baked, were eaten as is still the prevalent custom among the Bedouins. ((Genesis 18:6; 19:3; Exodus 12:39; Judges 6:19; 1 Samuel 28:24) The leavened mass was allowed to stand for some time, (Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21) the dough was then divided into round cakes, (Exodus 29:23; Judges 7:13; 8:5; 1 Samuel 10:3; Proverbs 6:26) not unlike flat stones in shape and appearance, (Matthew 7:9) comp. Matt 4:8 About a span in diameter and a finger's breadth in thickness. In the towns where professional bakers resided, there were no doubt fixed ovens, in shape and size resembling those in use among ourselves; but more usually each household poured a portable oven, consisting of a stone or metal jar, about three feet high which was heated inwardly with wood, (1 Kings 17:12; Isaiah 44:15; Jeremiah 7:18) or dried grass and flower-stalks. (Matthew 6:30) Given by God -- Ru 1:6; Mt 6:11. Yielded by the earth -- Job 28:5; Isa 55:10. Made of Wheat. -- Ex 29:2; Ps 81:16. Barley. -- Jdj 7:13; Joh 6:9. Beans, millet, &c. -- Eze 4:9. Manna (in the wilderness). -- Nu 11:8. Corn ground for making -- Isa 28:28. Was kneaded -- Ge 18:6; Jer 7:18; Ho 7:4. Troughs used for kneading -- Ex 12:34. Usually leavened -- Le 23:17; Mt 13:33. Sometimes unleavened -- Ex 12:18; 1Co 5:8. Was formed into Loaves. -- 1Sa 10:3,4; Mt 14:17. Cakes. -- 2Sa 6:19; 1Ki 17:13. Wafers. -- Ex 16:31; 29:23. Was baked On hearths. -- Ge 18:6. On coals of fire. -- Isa 44:19; Joh 21:9. In ovens. -- Le 26:26; Ho 7:4-7. Making of, a trade -- Ge 40:2; Jer 37:21. Ordinary, called common bread -- 1Sa 21:4. Sacred, called hallowed bread -- 1Sa 21:4,6. Nutritious and strengthening -- Ps 104:15. When old, dry and mouldy -- Jos 9:5,12. Often put for the whole substance of man -- Ge 3:19; 39:6; Mt 6:11. The principal food used by the ancients -- Ge 18:5; 21:14; 27:17; Jdj 19:5. Broken for use -- La 4:4; Mt 14:19. Kept in baskets -- Ge 40:16; Ex 29:32. Publicly sold -- Mt 14:15; 15:33. In times of scarcity, sold by weight -- Le 26:26; Eze 4:16. Scarceness of, sent as a punishment -- Ps 105:16; Isa 3:1; Eze 5:16. Plenty of, promised to the obedient -- Le 26:5. Often given as a present -- 1Sa 25:18; 2Sa 16:12; 1Ch 12:40. Served round after funerals -- Eze 24:17-22. With water, the food of prisons -- 1Ki 22:27. Crumb of, used to wipe the fingers, thrown under the table -- Mt 15:27; Lu 16:21. First fruit of, offered to God -- Nu 15:19,20. Offered with sacrifices -- Ex 29:2,23; Nu 28:2. Placed on table of shew bread -- Ex 25:30. Multitudes miraculously fed by Christ with -- Mt 14:19-21; 15:34-37. Illustrative Of Christ. -- Joh 6:33-35. (When broken,) of the death of Christ. -- Mt 26:26; 1Co 11:23,24. (Partaking of,) of communion of saints. -- Ac 2:46; 1Co 10:17. (Want of,) of extreme poverty. -- Pr 12:9; Isa 3:7. (Seeking of begging,) of extreme poverty. -- 1Sa 2:36; Ps 37:25; La 1:11. (Fulness of,) of abundance. -- Eze 16:49. (Eating without scarceness,) of plenty. -- De 8:9. (Of adversity,) of heavy affliction. -- Isa 30:20. (Of tears,) of sorrow. -- Ps 80:5. (Of deceit,) of unlawful gain. -- Pr 20:17. (Of wickedness,) of oppression. -- Pr 4:17. (Of idleness,) of sloth. -- Pr 31:27.
Bread