Bread
In the Bible, "bread" holds significant symbolic and literal meanings. Literally, bread is a staple food that represents sustenance and nourishment. In the Old Testament, bread is often associated with the covenant between God and His people, as seen in the provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4) and the showbread (or "bread of the Presence") in the Tabernacle (Leviticus 24:5-9). The daily provision of bread is also a theme in the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches His followers to pray for "our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11), emphasizing reliance on God for physical sustenance.Symbolically, bread represents spiritual nourishment. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life" (John 6:35), indicating that He is essential for eternal life, just as bread is essential for physical survival. The act of breaking bread is also a powerful symbol of fellowship and community, especially in the context of the Last Supper, where Jesus shares bread with His disciples, signifying the New Covenant (Luke 22:19). Overall, bread in the Bible signifies both physical sustenance and deeper spiritual truths, emphasizing dependence on God for both bodily and spiritual needs.