Food

Originally the Creator granted the use of the vegetable world for food to man ( Genesis 1:29 ), with the exception mentioned ( 2:17 ). The use of animal food was probably not unknown to the antediluvians. There is, however, a distinct law on the subject given to Noah after the Deluge ( Genesis 9:2-5 ). Various articles of food used in the patriarchal age are mentioned in Genesis 18:6-8 ; 25:34 ; Genesis 27:3 Genesis 27:4 ; 43:11 . Regarding the food of the Israelites in Egypt, see Exodus 16:3 ; Numbers 11:5 . In the wilderness their ordinary food was miraculously supplied in the manna. They had also quails ( Exodus 16:11-13 ; Numbers 11:31 ).

In the law of Moses there are special regulations as to the animals to be used for food ( Leviticus 11 ; Deuteronomy 14:3-21 ). The Jews were also forbidden to use as food anything that had been consecrated to idols ( Exodus 34:15 ), or animals that had died of disease or had been torn by wild beasts ( Exodus 22:31 ; Leviticus 22:8 ). (See also for other restrictions Exodus 23:19 ; 29:13-22 ; Leviticus 3:4-9 ; Leviticus 9:18 Leviticus 9:19 ; 22:8 ; Deuteronomy 14:21 .) But beyond these restrictions they had a large grant from God ( Deuteronomy 14:26 ; Deuteronomy 32:13 Deuteronomy 32:14 ).

Food was prepared for use in various ways. The cereals were sometimes eaten without any preparation ( Leviticus 23:14 ; Deuteronomy 23:25 ; 2 Kings 4:42 ). Vegetables were cooked by boiling ( Genesis 25:30 Genesis 25:34 ; 2 Kings Genesis 4:38 Genesis 4:39 ), and thus also other articles of food were prepared for use ( Genesis 27:4 ; Proverbs 23:3 ; Ezekiel 24:10 ; Luke 24:42 ; John 21:9 ). Food was also prepared by roasting ( Exodus 12:8 ; Leviticus 2:14 ). (See COOK .)