Food is pretty awesome. No matter where you’re from, what country you’re in, or what culture you’re a part of, everyone eats food, and we all need it to survive. Food plays a huge role in our everyday lives—meals bring people together, mark special occasions and holidays, and nourish our bodies. But have you ever stopped to wonder what the Bible says about food? From feasts and fasting to the concept of daily bread and divine provision, Scripture has a lot to say about how we view and enjoy what we eat. Whether you're curious about biblical diets, spiritual symbolism, or how food connects to faith, you’re in the right place. Join us as we answer questions like: Does Jesus show you what to eat in the Bible? Are there foods the Bible says not to eat? What does the Bible say we can eat? And what are the Bible verses about food?
What Does the Bible Say About Food & Eating?
Food shows up all throughout the Bible. Ever heard of the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Unleavened Bread? The Israelites celebrated key moments in their story with God by eating lots of food. In the Bible, food is more than nourishment for the body, it’s also a beautiful part of God’s story with His people. Since the beginning in Genesis, God designed Eden and placed Adam and Eve in a garden full of good things and good fruits to eat. God the Father provided for them generously, just as He does for all of us today. When we learn what the Bible says about food, the theme of food equating to provision continues throughout Scripture.
Time and time again, we see how God uses food to show His care and love for His people. Have you ever heard the Bible story of God providing manna in the wilderness? After God set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt, He provided food for them in the desert.
The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God." - Exodus 16:11-12
The theme of food representing God’s love and provision continues in 1 Kings with the story of a man being fed by birds! There is an unusual Bible verse about food where ravens feed Elijah after he fled from Jezebel, who vowed to kill him. God gives Elijah instructions on how to be safe from harm by following His instructions. In 1 Kings, we read:
So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. - 1 Kings 17:5-6
There are also Bible verses about food and the analogy of God being the provider. When Jesus steps on the scene, we see this very clearly. In Matthew 14, Jesus saw a large crowd and was filled with compassion when He saw them. Jesus began to heal the sick in the crowd. Because Jesus and his disciples were in a remote place, there was no food nearby. With only 5 loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus performed a miracle and multiplied the loaves and fish!
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. - Matthew 14:9-21
From Genesis to Revelation, food is a constant reminder that God is our provider and that He cares for us. Bible verses about food often tell the story of people sharing meals. Jesus often met people at the table, eating with His disciples, family, and even tax collectors and sinners. Meals with Jesus weren’t just for fellowship and conversation, they also served as a time for relationship, ministry, and even healing.
At the same time, Bible verses about food tell us to be thoughtful about how we approach food. Feasting is a big theme in the Bible, but so is fasting. In the Bible, we see examples of fasting to prevent gluttony, to encourage spiritual growth, and to care for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Bible isn’t prescriptive towards a certain diet, but it does encourage us to honor God in everything, including how we eat, what we eat, and to remember that food is a picture of God’s provision.
Foods and Rules
What Does the Bible Say About Foods Not to Eat?
In the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites specific instructions about clean and unclean foods. We commonly refer to this type of eating as eating Kosher. While many of these dietary laws no longer apply to Christians (Mark 7, Acts 10), they still offer insight into God’s heart for the Jewish people. Here are a few examples of foods that were considered “unclean” under the Old Covenant:
- Pork: This is usually the first thing that comes to mind when we think about what foods the Bible says not to eat. In the Old Testament, pigs were considered unclean because pigs don’t chew the cud. (Leviticus 11:7).
- Certain birds: Birds like vultures and owls are foods that the Bible says not to eat if you are eating Kosher. (Leviticus 11:13–19).
- Shellfish: Foods like shrimp and lobster are foods that the Bible says not to eat, because they don’t have fins and scales. (Leviticus 11:10).
- Rabbits: Bunnies were considered unclean or a food the Bible says not to eat. Even though they or chewed the cud, they didn’t have split hooves (Leviticus 11:6).
- Most insects: Though locusts and crickets were considered clean, most other bugs fall into the category of foods the Bible says not to eat. (Leviticus 11:20–23). Most of us aren’t too excited by the idea of eating bugs anyway!
The good news for Christians? We don’t have to eat Kosher to be in right standing with God. In the New Testament, God shows us that our righteousness isn’t based on our food choices. Instead, we’re called to eat with thanksgiving and honor God with our choices. However, there are a few things to take into consideration for Christians when we’re answering the question, “What food does the Bible say not to eat?”
- Eat what you’d like, but don’t cause a brother or sister to stumble: You can read all about this in Romans 14:20-21
- Don’t eat food sacrificed to idols: 1 Corinthians 8 goes into detail about not eating food sacrificed to idols if it were to lead others in the wrong direction or if it leaves you unsettled in your conscience.
- Don’t be a glutton: Gluttony is a big word for overeating or eating food in a greedy way. Proverbs 23:20-21 says, “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”
- Don’t let food become an idol: The Bible talks a lot about idolatry. Warnings against idolatry are even found in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). While it may seem silly, food can become an idol, even for Christians. Bible verses about food remind us to honor God with the food we eat and not to let it become an idol.
- Don’t eat or drink blood: In the Old Testament, God instructs the Israelites not to eat blood because “the life of a creature is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:10–14). Blood was set apart for sacrifice and as a representation of atonement, or the covering of sin. Christians aren’t supposed to eat blood, regardless of the New Covenant. In Acts 15, we read:
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”- Acts 15:28-29
What Does the Bible Say We Can Eat?
We have good news for you: in the New Covenant, you can eat whatever you'd like, except blood and food sacrificed to idols. Choosing to eat kosher or vegetarian is now a personal choice, not a mandate.
In the New Testament, we learn that Peter had a vision where God showed him no distinction between clean and unclean (Acts 10:9-16). We also discover that because of Jesus, all foods have been made clean (Mark 7:19). Christians are encouraged to receive food with gratitude and to give thanks to God for what they have (1 Timothy 4:4-5). While there were once strict dietary laws for devout followers of God, these rules no longer apply.
What Did Jesus Eat?
Given that Jesus is the Savior of the world, many people have wondered, “Does Jesus show you what to eat in the Bible?” The short answer? No, Jesus doesn’t show you what to eat in the Bible, but the Bible gives us clues about how Jesus would have eaten.
Given that Jesus was Jewish, we can safely assume that Jesus followed a kosher diet. So, that means no pork, no shellfish, and no mixing of meat and milk. Based on this, it’s probable that Jesus ate bread, wine, olives, olive oil, lamb, fish, fruit, and herbs as staples in his diet.
Bible Verses About Food
While the Bible doesn’t have Jesus show us what to eat, we do have Bible verses about food that help us connect the dots on what’s good for Christians to eat. Let’s dive into these 8 food-related Bible verses to help you understand what the Bible says about food.
“Then God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” - Genesis 1:29
What does the Bible say we can eat? In Genesis, God says that we can eat every seed-bearing plant for food. Most people interpret this Bible verse about food as a clue that humans were vegetarians before the fall of man.
“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” - Ecclesiastes 9:7
This Bible verse about food comes from Ecclesiastes, one of the wisdom books in the Bible. This food-related Bible verse tells us to eat our food with gladness. Eating with friends in every season is a great way to have joy, no matter what you’re going through.
Learn more about how to have joy, even when things are hard: How to Have Joy & Peace in Difficult Times
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Bible verses about food often invite us to glorify God with how we eat. As Christians, we want everything we do to point to the glory of God, even what we eat and drink.
"For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." - 1 Timothy 4:4
What does the Bible say about foods not to eat? Apart from the consumption of blood and food sacrificed to idols, Christians are supposed to receive all food with thanksgiving. This Bible verse about food reminds us of the power of praying over our food. When we pray over our food, it is sanctified by the word of God through prayer.
Learn more about the power of prayer: 8 Ways to Pray Throughout the Day
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. - Genesis 9:3
What food does the Bible say we can eat? After the fall in Genesis, we were allowed to eat meat. Before that, nothing died in Eden. However, this Bible verse about food in Genesis 9 reminds the reader that Christians are allowed to eat meat.
The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. - 1 Kings 19:7-8
This Bible verse about food reminds us that it’s important to eat. In this story in 1 Kings 19, Elijah was in a rough spot as he was fleeing from people who wanted to kill him. He was experiencing deep pain when an angel came to him and told him to eat food. After this, Elijah was ready to continue on his journey.
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:20-21
This Bible verse about food says less about what to eat or what to drink and says more about hospitality. Jesus tells his followers in Matthew 5 to ‘love your enemies and bless those who persecute you.’ This food-related Bible verse invites Christians to show the love of God in practical, tangible ways, even something as simple as giving food to your enemy.
Learn more about how to share God’s love: 5 Simple Ways to Show God’s Love to Others
Also, that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. - Ecclesiastes 3:13
While Jesus doesn’t show you what to eat in the Bible, He does want you to take joy in the food you eat. This Bible verse about food is encouraging, as it directs the reader to enjoy life with good food. Food is God’s gift to us!
What’s the Big Deal About Bread?
The Bible talks a lot about bread, and Jesus even refers to Himself as the bread of life in John 6:35-39. When we read about bread in the Bible, it’s more than a meal, it paints a picture of God’s provision and care. Bread was an essential food source in ancient times, and most likely, bread would have been made and eaten on a daily basis. In other words, bread was needed to live. So, when the Bible talks about bread, it is more than a food-related Bible verse; it is a reminder that we need God, His words, and His presence daily. He is our daily bread, and we can’t live without Him!
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Bible shows that food is a gift meant to be received with thanksgiving and shared in love. Whether you’re gathering with family, offering hospitality to a stranger, or spending time in quiet reflection with God, every meal can be an opportunity to connect with God and connect with others. Next time you sit down to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, remember these Bible verses about food and thank God for the daily bread He offers, both physically and spiritually.
Further Reading:
Renew Your Mind: Benefits of Gratitude
21 Bible Verses About Gratitude | A Study on Thankfulness
Front Yard Missions: How to Change Your Neighborhood
