Breakfast
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In biblical times, the concept of breakfast as understood in modern Western culture did not exist. However, the first meal of the day, often referred to as "breaking the fast," was a common practice. The Bible provides various insights into the eating habits and daily routines of people in ancient times, which can help us understand the significance of morning meals.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, meals were typically simple and consisted of bread, fruits, and occasionally meat. The Israelites, during their wilderness journey, were provided with manna from heaven, which they collected in the morning. Exodus 16:21 states, "Each morning they gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away." This daily provision from God can be seen as a form of breakfast, sustaining the Israelites for their day's journey.

The account of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:5-8 also highlights the importance of nourishment in the morning. After fleeing from Jezebel, Elijah lay down under a broom tree, exhausted. An angel of the Lord provided him with a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water, instructing him to eat and drink. This meal gave Elijah the strength to travel for forty days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, breakfast is not explicitly mentioned, but morning meals were part of daily life. Jesus, after His resurrection, prepared breakfast for His disciples. In John 21:9-13 , it is recorded, "When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus told them, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.' So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. 'Come, have breakfast,' Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, 'Who are You?' They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish." This passage illustrates the communal and sustaining nature of a morning meal shared with the Lord.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

In biblical times, meals were not only about physical sustenance but also about fellowship and spiritual nourishment. The act of sharing a meal, especially in the morning, was an opportunity for community and reflection on God's provision. The simplicity of the meals, often consisting of bread and fish, reflects the humble and grateful attitude expected of believers.

The Bible encourages believers to start their day with gratitude and reliance on God. Psalm 5:3 states, "In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation." This verse underscores the importance of beginning the day with prayer and dependence on God, akin to the physical nourishment provided by breakfast.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention breakfast as a distinct meal, the principles of morning nourishment, both physical and spiritual, are evident throughout Scripture. The examples of manna, Elijah's sustenance, and Jesus' post-resurrection meal with His disciples highlight the importance of starting the day with God's provision and presence.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The first meal in the day, or that which is eaten at the first meal.

2. (n.) A meal after fasting, or food in general.

3. (v. i.) To break one's fast in the morning; too eat the first meal in the day.

4. (v. t.) To furnish with breakfast.

Greek
709. aristao -- to breakfast, hence to take a meal
... to breakfast, hence to take a meal. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aristao
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-is-tah'-o) Short Definition: I breakfast, dine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/709.htm - 7k

712. ariston -- breakfast, dinner
... breakfast, dinner. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ariston Phonetic
Spelling: (ar'-is-ton) Short Definition: breakfast or a mid-day meal Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/712.htm - 7k

Library

When Diamond Went Home to Breakfast, He Found his Father and ...
... Chapter 9 When Diamond went home to breakfast, he found his father and mother
already seated at? When Diamond went home to breakfast ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 9 when diamond went.htm

Breakfast with Mr. Whitefield
... Chapter 14. Justice for Methodists; Methodist Character; Instructions to Parents;
Wesley's Opinion of Mary Queen of Scots Breakfast with Mr. Whitefield. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/breakfast with mr whitefield.htm

The Same Jesus Here Now.
... An unrecognized Stranger who turns out to be Jesus; an unusual haul of fish gotten
in a very unusual way; a warm fire and tasty breakfast for cold hungry men ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the same jesus here now.htm

The Blossoming Desert.
... He told her also that after breakfast I should be in the chapel for morning
worship. She went back to the neighbor's house whence ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/vii the blossoming desert.htm

The Wind Blew Loud, but Diamond Slept a Deep Sleep...
... been the twittering of the swallows"-over the shallows, you, know; but it may have
been the chirping of the dingy sparrows picking up their breakfast in the ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 16 the wind blew.htm

Timely Supplies
... mail arrived. That morning we supplied, as usual, a breakfast to the destitute
poor, who came to the number of seventy. Sometimes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xvi timely supplies.htm

The Story of a Divine Tragedy
... Nothing could have been more composed than her gaze at Laodice. "We breakfast in
the hall, now. ... This, then, manifestly was not the breakfast of the menials. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter x the story of.htm

The Formation of the CIM
... Next morning at breakfast, my kind host came in a little late, and acknowledged
to not having had a very good night. After breakfast ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xix the formation of.htm

"Pan, Pan is Dead"
... By the time we have gathered, and held, and then had to let go, three or four of
such little groups, it is breakfast time, and we want our breakfast badly. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxiii pan pan is.htm

A Life for a Life
... I had an egg for breakfast this morning, and I saw that it was an egg;
there it was, shell and all. God made that egg. I had an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/a life for a life/a life for a life.htm

Thesaurus
Breakfast (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To break one's fast in the morning; too eat the first meal in the day.
4. (vt) To furnish with breakfast. ...Breakfast (5 Occurrences). ...
/b/breakfast.htm - 8k

Dinner (23 Occurrences)
... din'-er (ariston; Matthew 22:4 Luke 11:38 (the Revised Version, margin "breakfast");
Luke 14:12; compare Ruth 2:14 John 21:13): In oriental as in classical ...
/d/dinner.htm - 15k

Fast (157 Occurrences)
... John 21:12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." None of the disciples dared
inquire of him, "Who are you?" knowing that it was the Lord. ...
/f/fast.htm - 49k

Breaketh (49 Occurrences)

/b/breaketh.htm - 21k

Ventured (5 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:40 From that time, however, no one ventured to challenge Him with a single
question. (WEY). John 21:12 "Come this way and have breakfast," said Jesus. ...
/v/ventured.htm - 8k

Lunch (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A luncheon; specifically, a light repast between
breakfast and dinner. 2. (vi) To take luncheon. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/lunch.htm - 6k

Luncheon (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A lump of food. 2. (n.) A portion of food taken at any time except at a
regular meal; an informal or light repast, as between breakfast and dinner. ...
/l/luncheon.htm - 7k

Lambs (107 Occurrences)
... John 21:15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon,
son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord ...
/l/lambs.htm - 39k

Wedding (24 Occurrences)
... "'My breakfast is now ready," he said, 'my bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and
every preparation is made: come to the wedding.' (WEY DBY NAS NIV). ...
/w/wedding.htm - 13k

Interpretation (45 Occurrences)
... The verb baptizo appears in this sense in Luke 11:38 (margin) where the Pharisee
marveled that Jesus "had not first bathed himself before breakfast" (noon-day ...
/i/interpretation.htm - 57k

Resources
What is cultural translation? Is cultural translation needed to properly understand the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus ask Peter "Do you love me?" three times? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus tell Peter to "feed my sheep" in John 21? | GotQuestions.org

Breakfast: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Breakfast (5 Occurrences)

Matthew 22:4
"Again he sent other servants with a message to those who were invited. "'My breakfast is now ready," he said, 'my bullocks and fat cattle are killed, and every preparation is made: come to the wedding.'
(WEY)

Luke 11:37
When He had thus spoken, a Pharisee invited Him to breakfast at his house; so He entered and took His place at table.
(WEY)

Luke 14:12
Also to His host, who had invited Him, He said, "When you give a breakfast or a dinner, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbours, lest perhaps they should invite you in return and a requital be made you.
(WEY)

John 21:12
Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." None of the disciples dared inquire of him, "Who are you?" knowing that it was the Lord.
(WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)

John 21:15
So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."
(WEB WEY NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Breakfast

Related Terms

Breakfast (5 Occurrences)

Surprise (27 Occurrences)

Breaking (69 Occurrences)

Hands (998 Occurrences)

Breaketh
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