Dictionaries :: Bread (Loaf)

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Bread (Loaf):

"bread" (perhaps derived from aro, "to fit together," or from a root ar--, "the earth"), signifies

(a) "a small loaf or cake," composed of flour and water, and baked, in shape either oblong or round, and about as thick as the thumb; these were not cut, but broken and were consecrated to the Lord every Sabbath and called the "shewbread" (loaves of presentation), Mat 12:4; when the "shewbread" was reinstituted by Nehemiah (Neh 10:32) a poll-tax of 1/3 shekel was laid on the Jews, Mat 17:24;

(b) "the loaf at the Lord's Supper," e.g., Mat 26:26 ("Jesus took a loaf," RV, marg.); the breaking of "bread" became the name for this institution, Act 2:42; 20:7; 1Cr 10:16; 11:23;

(c) "bread of any kind," Mat 16:11;

(d) metaphorically, "of Christ as the Bread of God, and of Life," Jhn 6:33, 35;

(e) "food in general," the necessities for the sustenance of life, Mat 6:11; 2Cr 9:10, etc.

Bread (Loaf):

denotes "unleavened bread," i.e., without any process of fermentation; hence, metaphorically, "of a holy, spiritual condition," 1Cr 5:7, and of "sincerity and truth" (1Cr 5:8). With the article it signifies the feast of unleavened bread, Mat 26:17; Mar 14:1, 12; Luk 22:1, 7; Act 12:3; 20:6.