The Bible provides instructions about eating certain foods, particularly in the context of the Old Testament law. Today, let’s see how these teachings relate to God’s care for His people and the spiritual principles they convey.
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What Does The Bible Say About Eating Certain Foods
Leviticus 11:1-8
“The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.”
This passage from the book of Leviticus provides instructions to the Israelites regarding which animals they can and cannot eat. God sets specific dietary laws for His people, distinguishing clean and unclean animals. Animals that have a divided hoof and chew the cud are considered clean, while those that do not meet these requirements are deemed unclean.
These dietary laws served several purposes, including health, ritualistic, and symbolic reasons. Following these guidelines showed obedience to God’s commands and set Israel apart from other nations. However, it is essential to note that these dietary laws were specific to the Israelites under the Old Covenant and do not apply to Christians under the New Covenant.
Matthew 15:10-11
“And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
In this passage, Jesus addresses a dispute with the Pharisees about eating with unwashed hands. He teaches that the physical act of eating certain foods does not defile a person. Instead, what proceeds from one’s heart and is expressed through their words and actions determines their cleanliness.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner purity and integrity over external rituals or traditions. While observing dietary guidelines can be beneficial for health and cultural reasons, Jesus brings attention to the greater significance of cultivating a righteous heart and mind.
Acts 10:9-15
“The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.’ And the voice came to him again a second time, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’”
This passage recounts the story of Peter’s vision, where God instructs him to eat animals that were previously considered unclean under Jewish dietary laws. Peter initially refuses, adhering to the dietary restrictions he had obeyed all his life. However, God corrects Peter’s understanding and reveals that He has declared these animals clean.
This vision signifies a significant shift in God’s plan, making it clear that Gentiles are no longer perceived as unclean or forbidden from fellowship. It foreshadows the inclusion of all nations into the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 4:1-5
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”
In this passage, Paul warns Timothy about false teachings that may arise in the future, including those prohibiting marriage and promoting strict dietary restrictions. Paul emphasizes that these teachings are not rooted in God’s truth but rather influenced by deceitful spirits.
Paul affirms that all foods created by God are good and can be received with gratitude by those who believe and understand the truth. He encourages believers to approach their meals with thanksgiving and prayer, acknowledging that God’s blessing and word sanctify the food.
Romans 14:1-3
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.”
In this passage, Paul addresses the different convictions and practices regarding food among believers. He encourages the strong in faith to welcome and accept those who have dietary restrictions or preferences without causing arguments or division.
Paul emphasizes that such matters of personal conviction should not be a point of judgment or condemnation among believers. Instead, Christians should prioritize unity, love, and acceptance, recognizing that God has welcomed both those who eat anything and those who abstain.
Colossians 2:20-23
“If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— ‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’ (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”
Paul addresses the false teachings that promote strict regulations on what to handle, taste, or touch as a means of self-made religion and asceticism. He urges believers to recognize that following such practices has no power to control or curb the desires of the flesh.
Paul emphasizes that true transformation and victory over sinful indulgence come through union with Christ and not through following external regulations or human precepts. While maintaining self-control and making wise choices are important, they should not be mistaken for achieving spiritual righteousness or salvation.
1 Corinthians 10:25-26
“Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.’”
Paul addresses the Corinthians’ concerns about eating meat that may have been offered to idols. He instructs them to partake in the meat sold in the marketplace without questioning its origins, for the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.
Paul encourages believers not to be overly scrupulous about the source of their food, as eating meat does not inherently defile them. He highlights the freedom Christians have in Christ and reminds them that their conscience should not be burdened by unnecessary restrictions regarding food.
1 Corinthians 8:8
“Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.”
Paul addresses the Corinthians’ concern about food offered to idols. He emphasizes that the act of eating or abstaining from such food does not affect their standing before God.
Paul emphasizes that our relationship with God is not determined by what we eat or do not eat. While it is essential to be mindful of our actions and considerate of others’ convictions, our righteousness and acceptance by God are solely through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 14:20-21
“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”
Paul addresses the need for believers to consider the impact of their actions on the faith of others. He encourages them not to cause their brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble or be led into temptation by the food they eat.
Paul highlights the importance of love and selflessness in our interactions with fellow believers. While freedom in Christ allows us to partake in various foods, we should prioritize maintaining unity and protecting the faith of our brothers and sisters. If abstaining from certain foods can avoid causing another person to stumble, it is an act of love and consideration.
Mark 7:18-19
“And he said to them, ‘Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?’ (Thus he declared all foods clean.)”
In this passage, Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ criticism of His disciples’ failure to observe the tradition of ceremonial handwashing. Jesus rebukes their legalistic focus on external rituals and clarifies that it is not what enters a person’s body that defiles them.
Jesus goes further to declare that all foods are clean, revealing a significant shift in understanding and practice under the New Covenant. He draws attention to the importance of inner purity and emphasizes that true defilement comes from within, from the heart and the intentions behind our actions.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Paul encourages the believers in Corinth to live their lives, including their eating and drinking, to the glory of God. He emphasizes the importance of aligning all aspects of their lives with God’s purposes and honoring Him in everything.
This verse reminds us that our choices, including our dietary practices, should reflect a heart that desires to honor and bring glory to God. It is a call to live with integrity and to consider how our actions, even in matters of food, can be a testimony of our faith and devotion to God.
1 Timothy 4:4-5
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”
Paul reminds Timothy that all things created by God are good and should not be rejected or regarded as unclean. Instead, when received with thanksgiving, they are sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
While it is wise to exercise discernment and moderation in our choices, this verse reinforces the truth that God’s created provisions are intended for our enjoyment and sustenance. We are called to approach them with gratitude and recognize that God’s blessing and consecration are upon them.
John 6:53-58
“So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.’”
In this profound passage, Jesus speaks metaphorically about His body and blood as the true source of spiritual sustenance and eternal life. He compares Himself to bread that came down from heaven, emphasizing the necessity of partaking in Him through faith and communion.
Jesus’ statement does not focus on the physical act of eating food but underscores the spiritual significance of being united with Him. As believers partake in the body and blood of Christ, representing His sacrifice on the cross, they enter into a profound and intimate relationship with Him that results in eternal life.
Daniel 1:8-16
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, ‘I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.’ Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ‘Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.’ So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.”
In the book of Daniel, he and his companions refuse to defile themselves with the food provided by the Babylonian king. Daniel requests that he and his friends be allowed to eat only vegetables and drink only water.
Although this passage does not directly address the topic of certain foods, it highlights Daniel’s commitment to honor God in his dietary choices. Daniel’s faithfulness and discipline in this area resulted in God’s favor and blessings, as seen in their healthier appearance compared to those who indulged in the king’s food.
Proverbs 23:1-3
“When you sit to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.”
The book of Proverbs provides wisdom for practical living, including guidance on eating with discernment. This passage advises exercising self-control and caution when dining with those in positions of power.
While the verses may not directly relate to the topic of certain foods, they encourage individuals to be aware of unhealthy appetites and to resist being enticed by deceptive food. It reminds believers to make wise choices even in social settings and to not allow their desires to lead them astray from God’s best.
Genesis 9:3-4
“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.”
After the flood, God gives Noah and his descendants permission to eat meat, stating that every moving thing shall be food for them. However, God also establishes the prohibition of eating flesh with its life, meaning the blood.
This verse demonstrates God’s provision for humanity’s dietary needs, allowing them to consume animals for sustenance. However, it emphasizes the sanctity of life and the prohibition against consuming blood, which is viewed as the essence of life.
Genesis 1:29-30
“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.”
At the beginning of creation, God provides a vegetarian diet for both humans and animals. He grants humans all plants that yield seed and trees with fruit for their food, while animals are given every green plant to eat.
This passage highlights God’s original design and provision for humanity and the animal kingdom. It demonstrates the harmony and balance intended in the natural order and shows God’s care for the physical needs of His creation.
Matthew 4:4
“But he answered, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’”
Jesus quotes this verse during His temptation in the wilderness, responding to the devil’s temptation to turn stones into bread. He affirms that physical sustenance is not the sole source of life but that true nourishment comes from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
This passage underscores the spiritual aspect of sustenance and highlights the importance of feeding on God’s word for the nourishment of our souls. It reminds us that our ultimate source of life and sustenance is not solely dependent on physical food but on our relationship with God and His truth.
Isaiah 55:2
“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”
God calls out the people’s misguided priorities and urges them to seek true satisfaction. He questions why they invest their resources in things that do not truly nourish them and encourages them to listen to His voice and partake in that which is good.
This verse speaks to the human tendency to seek fulfillment in worldly pursuits instead of finding satisfaction in God alone. It directs us to focus our attention and efforts on what truly nourishes our souls, aligning ourselves with God’s truth and delighting in His provision.
Psalm 104:14-15
“You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.”
This psalm praises God’s creation and provision for both animals and humans. It acknowledges God’s role in causing plants to grow for cultivation and grazing, providing food, wine, oil, and bread, which bring joy, health, and strength to humanity.
This passage emphasizes God’s goodness in supplying our physical needs, highlighting the variety of food and blessings that come from His creation. It reminds us to recognize and appreciate the abundance and provision that God bestows upon us.
Matthew 6:25-26
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the issue of worry and anxiety, specifically related to basic needs like food and clothing. He urges His followers not to be consumed by such concerns, reminding them that life is more than what they eat and drink and that God provides for all creation, even the birds of the air.
This passage directs believers’ attention to recognizing God’s faithfulness in providing for their needs and trusting in His care. It reassures us of our value in God’s eyes and encourages reliance on Him rather than being overwhelmed by anxieties about sustenance.