Sacred Dining: Foods Mentioned in Bible, Quran & Torah

Foods, fruits, and vegetables play a significant role in the texts of Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

These religious texts provide insights into the spiritual and cultural significance of various foods, often attributing specific symbolism and importance to them.

In this article, we'll explore some of the most prominent and noteworthy mentions of foods, fruits, and vegetables in the holy books of these faiths and their significance.

Judaism: Foods in the Torah

The Torah, the central text of Judaism, shares many of the same texts with the Christian Old Testament. As such, many of the foods, fruits, and vegetables mentioned in the Torah are also found in the Bible. Here is a list of some of the foods, fruits, and vegetables mentioned in the Torah:

1. Apples (Song of Solomon 2:5)
2. Almonds (Genesis 43:11)
3. Barley (Deuteronomy 8:8)
4. Beans (2 Samuel 17:28)
5. Bread (Exodus 29:2)
6. Coriander (Exodus 16:31)
7. Cucumbers (Numbers 11:5)
8. Dates (2 Samuel 6:19)
9. Dill (Matthew 23:23)
10. Figs (1 Samuel 25:18)
11. Fish (Matthew 14:17)
12. Flax (Proverbs 31:13)
13. Garlic (Numbers 11:5)
14. Grapes (Numbers 13:23)
15. Honey (Exodus 16:31)
16. Leeks (Numbers 11:5)
17. Lentils (Genesis 25:34)
18. Melons (Numbers 11:5)
19. Milk (Exodus 33:3)
20. Mustard (Matthew 13:31)
21. Olives (Deuteronomy 8:8)
22. Onions (Numbers 11:5)
23. Pomegranates (Numbers 13:23)
24. Quail (Numbers 11:31-32)
25. Raisins (Numbers 6:3)
26. Salt (Leviticus 2:13)
27. Wheat (Exodus 9:32)
28. Wine (Genesis 14:18)

These foods hold great significance in Jewish tradition, symbolizing divine providence and representing various aspects of life and spirituality.

Christianity: Foods in the Bible

The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, shares many food references with the Torah. Additionally, the New Testament introduces several new symbolic associations:

1. Apples (Song of Solomon 2:5)
2. Almonds (Genesis 43:11)
3. Barley (Deuteronomy 8:8)
4. Beans (2 Samuel 17:28)
5. Bread (Exodus 29:2)
6. Coriander (Exodus 16:31)
7. Cucumbers (Numbers 11:5)
8. Dates (2 Samuel 6:19)
9. Dill (Matthew 23:23)
10. Figs (1 Samuel 25:18)
11. Fish (Matthew 14:17)
12. Flax (Proverbs 31:13)
13. Garlic (Numbers 11:5)
14. Grapes (Numbers 13:23)
15. Honey (Exodus 16:31)
16. Leeks (Numbers 11:5)
17. Lentils (Genesis 25:34)
18. Melons (Numbers 11:5)
19. Milk (Exodus 33:3)
20. Mustard (Matthew 13:31)
21. Olives (Deuteronomy 8:8)
22. Onions (Numbers 11:5)
23. Pomegranates (Numbers 13:23)
24. Quail (Numbers 11:31-32)
25. Raisins (Numbers 6:3)
26. Salt (Leviticus 2:13)
27. Wheat (Exodus 9:32)
28. Wine (Genesis 14:18)
29. Eggs (Luke 11:11-13)

These foods, fruits, and vegetables are mentioned in various contexts in the Bible, such as blessings, offerings, or sustenance. They symbolize the divine providence and the importance of gratitude and nourishment for both the body and the soul.

Islam: Foods in the Quran

The Quran, the holy book of Islam, also contains references to various foods, fruits, and vegetables, highlighting their significance and benefits. Here's a list of the foods, fruits, and vegetables mentioned in the Quran:

1. Dates - mentioned in several verses, including Surah Maryam (19:23) and Surah Ya-Sin (36:57)
2. Grapes - mentioned in Surah An-Nahl (16:67) and Surah Ya-Sin (36:57)
3. Figs - mentioned in Surah At-Tin (95:1)
4. Olives - mentioned in Surah An-Nur (24:35) and Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:20)
5. Pomegranates - mentioned in Surah An-Nahl (16:67) and Surah Ar-Rahman (55:68)
6. Garlic - mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:61)
7. Lentils - mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:61)
8. Onions - mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:61)
9. Cucumbers - mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:61)
10. Corn or Grains (possibly wheat, barley, or another cereal grain) - mentioned in Surah Ya-Sin (36:57) and Surah Az-Zumar (39:67)
11. Ginger - mentioned in Surah Al-Insan (76:17)
12. Honey (produced by bees) - mentioned in Surah An-Nahl (16:69)
13. Meat - mentioned in Surah Ya-Sin (36:57) and Surah Al-Hajj (22:29)
14. Fish - mentioned in Surah As-Saaffat (37:142) and Surah Sad (38:52)
15. Quail (bird) - mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:57)
16. Pumkin * - mentioned in Surah Saad (37:146)
17. Other unspecified food, including fruits & veggies

* In Surah Saad (37:146), the term "yaqteen" (يَقْتِين) is mentioned, which is often translated as "gourd" or "pumpkin." In this verse, Allah (God) describes how He caused a gourd plant to grow over the Prophet Yunus (Jonah) to provide shade and comfort after he had been cast out of the belly of the whale.  While the term "yaqteen" may often be translated as "gourd" or "pumpkin,"  it is not precisely identified in this case and the general understanding is that it was a plant with broad leaves that provided shade and comfort for the Prophet Yunus.

These foods, fruits, and vegetables above are associated with blessings, health benefits, and divine providence. They also reflect the Quran's emphasis on gratitude, sustenance, and nourishment for both the body and the soul.

Meat

In the Abrahamic religions, the consumption of meat is allowed but with certain restrictions. Here are the guidelines for each religion:

1. Judaism (Torah): In the Torah, specific rules are laid out regarding the consumption of meat. According to Jewish dietary laws (Kashrut), only animals that chew their cud and have cloven hooves are considered kosher (permitted) for consumption. Examples include cows, sheep, and goats. Pigs, which have cloven hooves but do not chew their cud, are not kosher. Additionally, kosher animals must be slaughtered and prepared according to Jewish law. Birds are also allowed for consumption, but only specific types are considered kosher. Examples include chicken, turkey, and geese. Birds of prey, such as eagles and vultures, are not kosher. Sea creatures must have fins and detachable scales to be considered kosher. Fish like salmon, tuna, and carp are allowed, while shellfish and other seafood without full fins and scales are not. In this regard, Judaism is most restrictive. For example, although biologically classified as fish and belonging to the order Anguilliformes, eels are not considered kosher according to traditional Jewish dietary laws. In order for a sea animal to be considered kosher, it must have both fins and scales that can be removed without tearing the skin. Eels, while they do have small fins, lack the type of scales required by these laws. Their scales are embedded in the skin, and not easily removable, which disqualifies them from being kosher. See Forbidden Foods section for more details.
2. Christianity (Bible): In the Bible, there are various references to the consumption of meat. The Old Testament shares many of the same dietary restrictions as the Torah due to their shared origins. However, in the New Testament, there is a shift in focus from strict adherence to dietary laws to the spiritual aspects of food and faith. In the Acts of the Apostles, it is mentioned that God declared all animals clean, suggesting that dietary restrictions were no longer required for Christians. However, some Christian denominations continue to follow certain dietary restrictions or maintain specific fasting periods.
3. Islam (Quran): In the Quran, the consumption of meat is permitted, but there are specific guidelines regarding which animals are considered halal (allowed) and how they should be slaughtered. Generally, grazing (herbivores) and cud-chewing land animals, such as deer, cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, are permitted, while meat-eating (carnivorous) animals and scavengers such as pork are explicitly prohibited. In contrast, most aquatic life (excluding those can breathe on land - amphibians and certain crustaceans like frogs, turtles, crocodiles, and many crabs), is deemed halal. Crucially, for meat to be considered halal, the animal must be slaughtered in accordance with Islamic principles. This process involves invoking Allah's name during each slaughter, ensuring the animal's humane treatment. Meat from animals that have been mistreated, tortured, or died from strangulation, beating, falling, or predator attacks is categorized as haram (forbidden). Furthermore, the carcass must be adequately drained of blood post-slaughter to meet halal standards. See Forbidden Foods section for more details.

Forbidden Foods

The Abrahamic religions do permit the consumption of animals for food, but they emphasize ethical treatment, proper slaughter methods, and moderation. Eating live animals or parts of live animals is either directly or indirectly forbidden in all three religions.

Judaism and Islam have mostly common and more strict dietary laws compared to Christianity. Both religions forbid the consumption of pigs, carnivorous and scavenging animals. Birds are also allowed for consumption, but only specific types such as chicken, turkey, and geese. Birds of prey (eating meat primarily), such as eagles and vultures, are not allowed in both of the religions.

In addition, they both prohibit the consumption of amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders and all insects except certain types of locusts.

You can also check out A Deep Dive Into the Complex Tapestry of Religious Pork Bans.

The main food restrictions in the three religions are summarized below:

Islam:

1. Pork and pork products (Quran 2:173, 6:145)
2. Animals that die of themselves (carrion), blood, and animals killed in the name of anything other than Allah (Quran 2:173, 5:3)
3. Alcohol and intoxicants (Quran 5:90)

When it comes to alcohol, the Quran mentions the benefits of wine but also highlights the potential harm it can cause. Gradually, the Quranic verses become more explicit in discouraging alcohol consumption.

In a different context, the Quran describes wine as a reward for the righteous in Paradise. However, the wine in Paradise is said to be different from that found on Earth, as it does not cause negative effects such as intoxication or harm. For example, in Surah As-Saffat (37:45-47), the Quran states:

"They will be given to drink [pure] wine [which was] sealed. The last of it is musk. So for this let the competitors compete. And its mixture is of Tasneem."

This implies that the "wine in heaven" refers to a purified version of earthly wine or perhaps a distinct fruit-based beverage, devoid of its negative effects.

Judaism:

1. Pork and pork products (Leviticus 11:7, Deuteronomy 14:8)
2. Shellfish and non-fish seafood (Leviticus 11:9-12, Deuteronomy 14:9-10)
3. Meat from animals that don't chew the cud and have cloven hooves (Leviticus 11:3, Deuteronomy 14:6)
4. Birds of prey and scavengers (Leviticus 11:13-19, Deuteronomy 14:11-18)
5. Mixing meat and dairy (based on the interpretation of Exodus 23:19, 34:26, Deuteronomy 14:21)
6. Meat from animals that have not been slaughtered according to Jewish laws (Kosher slaughter)

As in Quran, pork and pork products are forbidden in Judaism based on the dietary laws outlined in the Torah, specifically in Leviticus 11:7 and Deuteronomy 14:8. These laws, called Kashrut, provide guidelines on which animals are considered clean (kosher) and unclean (non-kosher) for consumption.

The Torah states that in order for a land animal to be considered kosher, it must meet two criteria: it must have cloven hooves, and it must chew the cud (a process where an animal regurgitates partially digested food to re-chew it). Pigs have cloven hooves, but they do not chew the cud, making them non-kosher. Horses and donkeys fail both of the criteria.

Christianity:

The New Testament of the Bible generally relaxes the dietary restrictions found in the Old Testament. In Acts 10:9-16 and Acts 11:5-10, Peter's vision of the sheet containing all kinds of animals is often interpreted as a message that all foods are now clean and acceptable for consumption. However, some Christian denominations may still observe certain dietary restrictions, often based on interpretations of specific passages or traditions.

1. In some early Christian communities, as mentioned in the New Testament, there were recommendations to avoid food offered to idols, blood, strangled animals, and fornication (Acts 15:20, 15:29, 21:25).
2. Some Christian denominations, such as Seventh-day Adventists, have specific dietary guidelines that include avoiding pork and other meats considered "unclean" in the Old Testament.

It's important to note that within each religion, there may be variations in practice and interpretation of dietary laws, and individual observance may vary.

Manna

While most of the foods mentioned in the sacred texts of the Abrahamic religions can be identified with modern-day foods, there are some names or descriptions that remain uncertain.

One such example is manna.

Manna is mentioned in the Torah, Bible, and Quran as a miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. Manna is described as a sweet, flaky substance that appeared on the ground each morning, except on the Sabbath. It could be ground into flour and made into cakes or bread. Manna is also mentioned in the New Testament in the context of Jesus' teachings.

The exact nature of manna remains uncertain, and several theories exist regarding its origins. Some believe it could be a natural substance such as honeydew produced by plants, or fungi or lichen in the desert. Others suggest that manna may have been a symbolic representation of God's providence and not a specific physical substance.

Regardless of its true nature, manna serves as an example of a food mentioned in the sacred texts of the Abrahamic religions that is not clearly identified or not known to exist today.

Another example is the food called tzaphtzaph mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Ezekiel 4:9).

The term "tzaphtzaph" is translated as "spelt" in some English versions of the Bible, while others render it as "fitches" or "rye." However, scholars and translators are not entirely sure what specific grain or food this term refers to. It is worth noting that this uncertainty may arise from linguistic differences and translation challenges over the centuries.

Final Thoughts

Throughout the texts of Abrahamic religions, foods, fruits, and vegetables serve as powerful symbols and reminders of spiritual teachings, divine providence, and cultural practices.

These references provide a unique perspective on the relationship between food and faith, highlighting the significance of nourishment for both the body and the soul.

As we continue to explore the connections between food and spirituality, we gain a deeper understanding of the intricate tapestry of human beliefs and traditions.