Wheat
Of all the foods mentioned in the Bible, assuredly none holds a
higher position of importance than wheat. Both the Bible and
archeology show that wheat was one of the main staple foods of
ancient times and some form of it was probably eaten at every
meal. In fact, historians claim that wheat was the earliest crop
ever harvested by the human race with evidence of wheat farming
along the Nile River dating back as far as 4,000 B.C.
Time and time again in the Bible, a bountiful wheat harvest is
portrayed as a blessing from God to His people. Let’s look at
just a few examples.
"Praise the LORD, O
Jerusalem, praise thy God, O Zion. . . He makes peace within thy
borders and filleth thee with the finest of WHEAT."
(Psalm 147:12-14)
"Be glad then, ye
children of Zion and rejoice in the LORD thy God, for He. . . will
cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the later
rain in the first month. And the floors shall be filled with WHEAT
and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil." (Joel
2:23-24)
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The New Testament also
uses wheat as a symbol for the dying and resurrected Savior (John
12:24). Further proof of this is the fact that Jesus used bread
made from wheat at the Last Supper as a symbol for His body.
The 13th Chapter of the book of Matthew may well be called the
"Wheat Chapter," as Jesus cites two parables here where
wheat is used as a symbol for God’s children.
The biblical feast day of Pentecost, also known as the Festival of
Weeks, or Shavuot was held in celebration of the spring wheat
harvest. This same wheat festival was the day in the New Testament
when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles.
Nutritionally, wheat does seem to have it all. It is an excellent
source of protein, fat and carbohydrate as well as vitamins,
minerals and enzymes. Just a half cup of wheat germ contains four
times the amount of protein of an egg. Every part of the wheat
kernel offers some nutritional benefit and the important nutrients
are distributed throughout the entire kernel. (See Figure 1)
Truly wheat is a special gift from God and rightfully deserves to
be first on the
"Magnificent Seven" list from
Deuteronomy 8:8.
Barley
Barley, like wheat is a highly nutritious grain and is mentioned
close to 40 times in the Bible. In ancient Israel, its growing
season and harvest actually came before wheat and it was the first
crop of the year. Symbolically, then, barley is representative of
the prophet or the one who comes first to announce the Messiah.
Hence, some Bible scholars compare barley to John the Baptist and
wheat to Jesus.
To the Hebrews, the green barley shoots springing forth out of the
ground were a sign to begin their new calendar year. They called
this month Abib which means tender or green. Symbolically then,
barley also represents a new beginning or a fresh start.
While barley was never considered to be quite as versatile or
prized as wheat, nevertheless, it played an important role in the
diet of the Israelites. It was plentiful and inexpensive making it
highly accessible to the masses. Besides its usage as human food,
it was also used to feed animals.
According to the books "Healing Foods From The Bible,"
and "Foods and Nutrition Encyclopedia," barley is
reputed to improve potency, vigor and strength. Ancient Greek
athletes would often eat an easily digested barley-mash while in
training. Roman gladiators were sometimes called hordearii,
meaning "barley eaters," because the grain was added to
their diet to give them bursts of strength before their contests.
Barley was also a common rendering on ancient Greek coins.
Like wheat, barley is also an excellent source of protein, fat,
carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. It is high in beta carotene,
vitamins C, E, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6 as well as 19 amino acids.
Furthermore, some recent studies seem to indicate that barley may
actually help lower cholesterol.
According to ancient Oriental wisdom, barley is good for the
spleen and stomach, helps promote normal urinary flow and, like
wheat, helps in the cooling processes of the body.
Vine
(Grapes)
Of all the seven foods mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:8, grapes, or
the fruit of the vine are the most frequently discussed. As a
matter of fact, the Bible makes literally hundreds of references
to grapes, vines, and vineyards. Of course, since alcoholic wine
can also be made from grapes, this becomes one of those foods that
can be used for both good and evil.
The first mention of grapes in the Bible is in Genesis 9:20 where
we are told that one of the first things Noah did after the flood
was to plant a vineyard. This would make grapes one of the oldest
cultivated foods on earth.
Apparently, the grapes that grew in ancient Israel were enormous
as witnessed by Numbers 13:23. "And they came unto the brook
of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of
GRAPES, and they bare it between two upon a staff;"
Grape juice and wine are used throughout the Bible as symbols for
blood. Even Jesus uses this symbolism at the Last Supper where He
refers to the juice of the grape as His blood.
Grapes were also a symbol of fruitfulness, and the grape harvest
was a time of great festivity. (Gen 40:9-11; Psalm 105:33; Zech
3:10)
The grapes of the middle east during biblical times were both
sweet black and green. They were either eaten fresh or sun dried
into raisins or drunk as grape juice or wine. A less expensive
form of wine vinegar was also made from the grapes and used by the
poorer people. The grape leaves were also eaten and the stalks and
vines were used in feeding the animals.
The nutritional and health value of grapes has been intensely
explored over the past few years. According to a University of
Wisconsin Medical School study, a glass of purple grape juice
daily may be good for your heart. Grape juice makes blood
platelets less sticky and therefore, less likely to clump and form
clots.
Grape skins are also another source of rich nutritional value.
Resveratrol is a bioflavonoid found in grape skins which
scientists now believe may be helpful in the prevention and
treatment of cancer. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant which
seems to have the power to prevent tumor formation and actually
inhibit the spread of cancer.
Another product from grapes – grape seed extract – has also
recently been shown to be beneficial for the heart. Grape seeds
are a rich source of biologically active bioflavonoids. These are
potent antioxidants which help fight harmful free radicals in the
body. The bioflavonoids from grape seeds are 50 times more potent
than vitamin E and 20 times more potent than vitamin C.
Two other components of grapes are polyphenols and tannins, both
of which show promise as antiviral and anti-tumor compounds.
Figs
The fig is another one of those Bible foods which seems to be
referenced with both good and evil associations. Of course we all
know the story of Adam and Eve sewing fig leaves together to cover
their nakedness (Gen 3:7) and how Jesus cursed the fig tree (Matt
21:19, Mark 11:13, Luke 13:6). These references are interesting
not in their condemnation of figs – which they do not do – but
in the inability of the fig to be used properly. Adam and Eve,
rather than eat and partake of the blessing of the fig, instead
used the leaves to cover their sin. Jesus, in His cursing the fig
tree, was not implying that figs were bad but that they were not
in season. This is a direct tieback to Adam and Eve’s use of the
fig when they (Adam and Eve) were out of season so to speak.
Other references in the Bible definitely show that figs grown to
maturity, just as Adam and Eve should have been, are indeed a good
food. Here are just some of the many positive biblical references
to the fig tree in addition to Deuteronomy 8:8.
"And Judah and Israel
dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his FIG
TREE." (1Kings 4:25)
"The FIG TREE putteth
forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a
good smell." (Song 2:13)
"Do not be afraid, ye
beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring,
for the tree beareth her fruit, the FIG TREE and the vine do yield
their strength." (Joel 2:22)
"But they shall sit
every man under his vine and under his FIG TREE; and none shall
make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken
it." (Micah 4:4)
"In that day, saith the
LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine
and under the FIG TREE." (Zech 3:10)
Notice here that both figs and grapes are a sign of peace and rest
and in symbolism/mythology, an image of a man sitting under a fig
tree is always a symbol of rest, peace and tranquility in the
land.
Fig trees can thrive equally as well on the rocky slopes of Greece
as on the sandy shores of North Africa. Because fig trees grow so
easily and abundantly in the Mediterranean countries, figs became
known as "the poor man’s food."
Nutritionally, figs are an excellent food. They have been highly
valued throughout history both in their fresh form or dried. Much
like mentioned above with barley, figs too were popular with Greek
and Roman athletes to improve their performance.
Figs are an excellent source of potassium and other minerals and
are also very high in fiber. According to the book "Healing
Foods From The Bible," figs were regarded for centuries with
healing power for cancer, constipation, scurvy, hemorrhoids,
gangrene, liver troubles and boils. Figs are also good
detoxifiers, they aid in the health of the stomach, spleen and
large intestines, and help reduce inflammation and swelling.
Pomegranates
While the pomegranate definitely played an important nutritional
role in the diets of biblical peoples, it’s main usage in the
Bible seems to be more for its symbolic meaning. The pomegranate
is given the unique distinction of being closely linked to the
House of God – not once, but twice. The first time is when the
Tabernacle is set up under Moses’ direction in the wilderness
and secondly at the building of Solomon’s Temple. Other than the
olive (see below), no other food anywhere in the Bible gets this
kind of special treatment. Here are some specific examples from
the Bible.
When Moses is given instructions in the wilderness on how to
prepare the vestments of the High Priest, (who is a foreshadowing
of Jesus), he is told to decorate them with pomegranates.
"And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make POMEGRANATES
of blue, and of, purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem
thereof. . . a golden bell and a POMEGRANATE, upon the hem of the
robe round about."
(Ex 28:33-34)
Then, later on, when Solomon builds the first and what most Bible
scholars consider to be the most magnificent house of the LORD
ever, the pomegranate once again plays a significant role. The two
main pillars at the entrance to God’s house, which are named
Jachin and Boaz, are heavily decorated with pomegranates.
"And
the chapiters upon the two pillars had POMEGRANATES also above,
over against the belly which was by the network: and the
POMEGRANATES were two hundred in rows round about the other
chapiters."
(1 Kings 7:20)
The question Bible scholars need to ask, then, is what is it about
the pomegranate that makes it so closely linked to God’s temple?
The answer is that the pomegranate is a symbol for eternal life as
well as a symbol for fertility because of its many seeds. What is
God trying to tell us here? His first commission to Adam and Eve
was to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Furthermore,
whenever His blessings are upon Israel, they are always manifested
by fruitfulness and abundance. Our God is a God of ever expanding
life and the pomegranate is the symbol He has chosen to represent
this.
Pomegranate fruit grows on a small, semi-tropical tree or bush
which apparently was indigenous to Persia where it was known to
grow in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. From there, it spread
throughout the Middle East. The tree was also cultivated in Egypt
and as Deuteronomy 8:8 notes, it was already flourishing in Canaan
prior to the arrival of the Israelites.
The pomegranate tree yields a leathery, hard skinned,
reddish-purple fruit. The thin rinds inside contain many seeds,
each in a pulp sack filled with a tangy, sweet amethyst-colored
juice. Although it is a relatively small tree giving little shade,
its refreshing fruit more than compensated tired travelers such as
King Saul who rested under it (1 Sam 14:2). While the fruit was
used to quench thirst, the rind was used to make medicine and red
dye. Pomegranates are low in calories yet high in fiber, vitamins
and minerals, particularly potassium and vitamin C.
Olives
& Olive Oil
If the seven foods of Deuteronomy 8:8 might be called God’s
"favorites"
of all foods, then perhaps the olive,
judging by its special usage in the Bible, may well be called
God’s
"favorite of the favorites."
Judging by the many
holy references to olives and olive oil in the Bible, we would
have to say that the olive is a truly a fruit of singular symbolic
religious importance. Nearly every mention of olives and olive oil
in the Bible ties into a deeper, symbolic meaning. To understand
this usage, we have to understand what that symbolism is.
The olive is a symbol for long life and in fact, everlasting life.
Olive trees live longer than any other living organism on earth.
It’s been claimed by some that an olive tree can live for up to
four thousand years or more. Some Bible scholars theorize that
perhaps a few of the olive trees currently growing on the Mount of
Olives in Israel were actually alive at the time of Jesus.
You may recall also that when Noah sent out a dove from the ark to
check weather conditions, it returned with an olive leaf in its
mouth. (Gen 8:11) The dove with an olive leaf in its mouth has
thus become a near universal symbol for peace. (Might that olive
tree that the dove took the leaf from still be alive today?
Perhaps, in addition to the rainbow, this would be God’s way of
showing continuity from the Great Flood up to our times.)
Olive oil was also used in lighting the temple Menorah (lamp
stand) which stood in front of the Ark of the Covenant in the
Temple’s Holy of Holies. The symbolism here is that God’s Law
is everlasting. "And thou shalt command the children of
Israel, that they bring thee pure OIL OLIVE beaten for the light,
to cause the lamp to burn always." (Ex 27:20)
Olive oil was also used to anoint the King and High Priest in
ancient Israel. Our English word Messiah comes from the Hebrew
word "mashiyach" which simply means to smear with olive
oil. The Greek word "Christ" has the same meaning. And
so, Christ is the one who is anointed or smeared with olive oil.
This certainly shows the importance God has given to this fruit.
Olive oil was a dietary staple in the ancient Middle East and used
for a multitude of dietary purposes. Hundreds of ancient olive
presses have been found by archeologists throughout the region.
Olive oil was spread on bread, used in cooking, and mixed with
flour to make bread. Apparently, the olive industry was a huge
trade in biblical times.
But perhaps the most amazing thing of all about the olive is the
fact that today, thousands of years after the Bible was written,
researchers are finding out just what a miracle food this really
is. For instance, olive oil has been shown to help in the
prevention of cardiovascular disease, aid in digestive problems,
while protecting against everything from arthritis to diabetes to
constipation to cancer.
Researchers in Greece recently reported that consuming olive oil
regularly may reduce the risk of arthritis. Using a test base of
333 people, researchers found that those people who regularly
consumed olive oil had a 62 percent lower risk of getting
rheumatoid arthritis than those who ate it infrequently or never.
The head of the research team, Athena Linos, M.D., theorized that
it is the oleic acid in olive oil which acts as a joint lubricator
and anti-inflammatory.
Other researchers have shown that oils high in mono-unsaturated
fats, of which olive oil ranks the highest, are excellent
protectors of the arteries against heart attacks. Olive oil is 77
percent mono-unsaturated fat.
Olive oil also assists the body in regulating cholesterol
production, keeping the so-called LDL’s or Low Density
Lipoproteins low while encouraging the production of the good
cholesterols known as HDL’s or High Density Lipoproteins. Olive
oil also helps the body defend itself against harmful free
radicals.
Certainly, in light of these impressive symbolic and nutritional
characteristics, olives and olive oil most definitely belong on
the "Magnificent Seven" from Deuteronomy 8:8.
Honey
Honey is the last, but certainly not the least important food
listed in Deuteronomy 8:8. Since the dawn of history, honey has
been used by man in countless ways. Ancient scrolls dating over
3,000 years ago have been found listing the reputed benefits of
honey.
Through the ages, honey has acquired a myriad of uses including
sweetener, food enhancer, cosmetic, health food, aphrodisiac,
medicine, religious symbol, energy food, athletic performance
enhancer, embalmer, and even as money. Both honey and salt were
mankind’s earliest preservatives.
The Assyrians and Babylonians poured honey on the foundation
stones and walls of their temples in order to insure the good
favor of their gods. Curiously, honey was also considered a symbol
for resurrection. Hence, it was not uncommon to find honey jars in
the tombs of Egyptian kings. Ancient societies also used honey as
part of their wedding ceremonies. Bee keeping was a major industry
of the Roman Empire and the honey harvest was a time of wild
celebration and merry-making. Even today, honey plays an important
part in the sacred holidays of many of the world’s religions.
Since sugar was unknown during bible times, honey was the primary
sweetener. In the Bible, honey is used as a symbol of abundance
and blessings and is mentioned over 50 times.
"I will bring you up
out of the affliction of Egypt. . . unto a land flowing with milk
and HONEY." (Ex 3:17)
Jacob exhorted his sons to take honey as a present to the Pharoah
of Egypt, along with balm, spices, myrrh, nuts and almonds. (Gen
43:11)
Some Bible scholars even think that manna, God’s miracle food
that fell from heaven, may actually have been a combination of
wheat and honey. Judging by the way the Israelites described its
taste as "wafers made with HONEY," (Ex 16:31), this
speculation may not be far fetched.
Psalm 81 tells us that if God’s enemies would have submitted
themselves to Him, He would "have fed them also with the
finest wheat: and with HONEY out of the rock." (Psalm 81:16)
Yes, golden honey, just like golden wheat, is one of God’s most
precious foods in the Bible.
Honey is as popular a food today as it was in Bible times and the
bees produce it exactly the same way now as they did then. Bees
make honey from the nectar and pollen of flowers. Even modern man
with all of his science and technology, cannot duplicate what
God’s bees can do. The only thing man is needed for is to
separate the honey from the comb and then to package it.
The sugars in honey are predigested by the bees so that honey
requires little or no digestion by us as do other sugars. Honey is
a dynamo of nutrition and is loaded with enzymes, B vitamins,
natural sugars and essential minerals.
Honey has several reputed health benefits. It is a natural
antibiotic, aids in the rapid healing of wounds and burns, helps
alleviate arthritis symptoms (vinegar and honey), helps ease sore
throats, colds and coughs, aids in intestinal distress and helps
relieve allergies.
Yes, honey rightfully deserves to be called a miracle food and it
is obvious why God would include it on the list of foods from
Deuteronomy 8:8.
Lentils
Lentils are considered by many nutritionists to be the most
nutritious legumes on earth. Perhaps that’s why Esau was so
willing to sell his birthright for some bread and lentil stew.
"And Jacob gave Esau
bread and stew of LENTILS; then he ate and drank, arose, and went
his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright."
(Genesis
25:34)
Lentils were also prepared and brought to David and his weary
troops to renew their strength. (2 Samuel 17:28-29)
Curiously, David won an impressive battle while defending a lentil
field.
"The Philistines had
gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground
full of LENTILS. So the people fled from the Philistines. But he
(David) stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it,
and killed the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great
victory."
(2 Samuel 23:11-12)
Lentils have been cultivated for food for thousands of years and
are still today one of the staples of Mediterranean and Middle
Eastern diets. They are inexpensive and can be used in soups,
stews, stuffing, dips, salads and sauces. They have a mild flavor
and can be enhanced with many herbs, spices and seasonings.
Lentils are extremely high in protein, fiber and complex
carbohydrates. They are also a good source of iron, B vitamins,
phosphorus and potassium.
Almonds
The almond tree is the first tree to bloom in the Holy Land,
blooming in late January. Because of this, it is used in the Bible
as a sign of new hope, new birth (born again) and possibly
resurrection. When God gave Moses instructions on how to build the
first Menorah lamp stand (Exodus 25:33), He requested almond
blossoms at various locations on the stand. These were obviously
to be a symbol of new birth just as the Menorah was a symbol of
everlasting life (and light).
When the authority of Moses and his brother Aaron was challenged
by a rebellious group of Israelites, it was Aaron’s budding
staff that served as a sign of God’s approval of the two
brothers.
"Now it came to pass on
the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and
behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and
put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe
ALMONDS."
(Numbers 17:8)
These Bible references to the almond show just how favorably God
views this food. With that kind of endorsement, don’t you think
you should eat a handful of almonds every day?
Raw almonds are an excellent source of unsaturated fatty acids.
They also contain protein, fiber, iron, potassium, calcium and
phosphorus. Almonds make a delicious substitute for candy and junk
snacks and may be used in baking and with fruit and vegetable
salads. Stay away from salted almonds. The unsalted ones taste
just as good if not better.
Spelt
Depending upon which translation you read, spelt appears several
times in the Bible. King James translates it variously as fitches
and rie (see Exodus 9:32, Isaiah 28:25-27, Ezekiel 4:9) whereas
other translations actually use the word spelt.
Spelt (Triticum spelta) is a member of the wheat family and is a
distant relative of modern wheat (Triticum aestivum). It is one of
the earliest grains harvested by the human race and is still very
popular in Europe where it is known as farro in Italy and dinkle
in Germany.
Spelt is a hardy grain with a tough husk that actually protects
the grain from insects and helps preserve its nutritional
freshness until milling. It has a nutty flavor and is high in
fiber, B vitamins and complex carbohydrates. It is also
considerably higher in protein than modern wheat. It is reported
to be easier to digest than modern wheat and may even possibly be
tolerated by people with conventional wheat (gluten) allergies.
Spelt products are now showing up in more and more health food
outlets as grain, flours, pastas, cereals, bread, muffins,
crackers and pancake mixes.
Other
Foods Mentioned In The Bible
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Cucumbers
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Beans
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Leeks
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Milk
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Onions
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Cheese
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Garlic
•
Vinegar
•
Pistachio nuts
•
Flax |
•
Melons
•
Mulberry Juice
•
Anise
•
Bitter Herbs
•
Cinnamon
•
Cummin
•
Hyssop
•
Millet
•
Mint
•
Mustard Seeds |
