Definition and Context
Broth, in biblical terms, refers to a liquid food preparation, typically made by boiling meat, bones, or vegetables in water. It is a basic form of sustenance and is often associated with nourishment and simplicity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, broth would have been a common element of daily meals, providing essential nutrients and hydration.

Biblical References
The concept of broth appears in several passages within the Bible, often symbolizing basic sustenance or a humble meal. One notable reference is found in the account of Esau and Jacob. In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a simple meal, which includes bread and lentil stew, a form of broth. The passage highlights the impulsive nature of Esau and the significant value placed on immediate physical needs over spiritual inheritance:

"Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. He said to Jacob, 'Please let me have some of that red stew, for I am famished.' That is why he was also called Edom. 'First sell me your birthright,' Jacob replied. 'Look,' said Esau, 'I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?' But Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and went on his way. So Esau despised his birthright." (Genesis 25:29-34)

Another reference to broth is found in Isaiah 65:4, where it is mentioned in the context of idolatrous practices. The verse describes people who sit among the graves and spend nights keeping secret vigil, who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat. This passage underscores the association of broth with ritual impurity and disobedience to God's laws:

"They sit among the graves; they spend the night in secret places; they eat the flesh of pigs, and the broth of unclean meat is in their pots." (Isaiah 65:4)

Cultural and Theological Significance
In biblical times, broth was a staple food that represented the basic provision of life. It was accessible to both the wealthy and the poor, serving as a common denominator in the diet of ancient peoples. The simplicity of broth underscores themes of humility and reliance on God's provision. In the account of Esau and Jacob, the exchange of a birthright for a simple meal serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing immediate physical desires over long-term spiritual blessings.

The mention of broth in Isaiah 65:4 highlights the importance of purity and obedience to God's commandments. The consumption of unclean foods, including certain types of broth, was a violation of the dietary laws given to the Israelites. This serves as a reminder of the call to holiness and the need to separate oneself from practices that are contrary to God's will.

Conclusion
While broth may seem like a minor detail in the biblical narrative, its presence in Scripture offers insights into the daily life, cultural practices, and spiritual lessons of the ancient world. Through its various mentions, broth serves as a symbol of sustenance, humility, and the importance of aligning one's life with God's commandments.(n.) Liquid in which flesh (and sometimes other substances, as barley or rice) has been boiled; thin or simple soup.BROTH

broth (maraq): Equivalent to our "soup." When Gideon (Judges 6:19) made ready a kid, "the flesh he put in a basket," but, it is added, "he put the broth in a pot"; and he is told by the angel to "pour out the broth" (Judges 6:20). Isaiah 65:4 makes Yahweh speak of rebellious Israel as "a people that provoke me to my face continually sacrificing in gardens," and adds in description "that eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels" (maraq, paraq).

See FOOD.

4839. maraq -- juice (stewed out of meat), broth
... 4838, 4839. maraq. 4840 . juice (stewed out of meat), broth. Transliteration:
maraq Phonetic Spelling: (maw-rawk') Short Definition: broth. ...
/hebrew/4839.htm - 6k

6564. paraq -- broth
... paraq. 6565 . broth. Transliteration: paraq Phonetic Spelling: (paw-rawk') Short
Definition: broth. ... broth From paraq; soup (as full of crumbed meat) -- broth. ...
/hebrew/6564.htm - 5k

7388. riyr -- to flow (like slime)
... spittle, white of an egg From ruwr; saliva; by resemblance, broth -- spittle, white
(of an egg). see HEBREW ruwr. 7387, 7388. riyr. 7388a . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/7388.htm - 5k

St. Ambrose Also, Though Dealing with a Question of Very Great ...
... from their enemies, he brought forth a kid of the goats, and by direction of the
angel laid it with unleavened cakes upon a rock, and poured the broth over it ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 46 st ambrose also.htm

The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The
... of one man, [784] offered a kid, and according to the word of the Angel, laid its
flesh and the unleavened cakes upon the rock, and poured the broth upon them. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/the choice of gideon was.htm

Examples of the Various Styles, Drawn from the Teachers of the ...
... from their enemies, he brought forth a kid of the goats, and by direction of the
angel laid it with unleavened cakes upon a rock, and poured the broth over it ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 21 examples of the various.htm

The Service Common to the Holy Angels and Other Bodiless Ones.
... And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour:
the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter iv the service common.htm

Vesalius the Anatomist {9}
... and Don Carlos, having had a wholesome fright, is, according to Doctor Olivarez,
the medico de camara, a very good lad, and lives on chicken broth and dried ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/vesalius the anatomist 9.htm

From the Close of the General Conference in 1796, to the ...
... I am kept cheerful, but very weak. My diet is chiefly tea, potatoes, Indian
meal gruel, and chicken broth. My reading is only the Bible. ...
/.../chapter 3 from the close.htm

As they Flew, So Fast they Went that the Sea Slid Away from under ...
... Now while he is lying there, getting strong again with chicken broth and other nice
things, I will tell my readers what had been taking place at his home, for ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 12 as they flew.htm

The Murket's Sacrifice
... The murket came to his side and smoothed the damp hair. The old housekeeper
entered with broth and bread and a bottle of wine. Mentu ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvi the murkets sacrifice.htm

And they Went Away from Capernaum into the City which is Called ...
... a certain day Joseph called to him his first-born son James, [1688] and sent him
into the vegetable garden to gather vegetables for the purpose of making broth ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 41 and they went.htm

The Fan. Matthew iii. 12
... The last of the Napoleons died under the hand of a savage when he was where he
had no business to be, burning his lips with other folks' broth. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/liv the fan matthew iii.htm

Broth (4 Occurrences)
... (n.) Liquid in which flesh (and sometimes other substances, as barley or rice) has
been boiled; thin or simple soup. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BROTH. ...
/b/broth.htm - 8k

Egg (3 Occurrences)
... It has been translated "purslain" (RV marg.), and the whole phrase "purslain-broth",
ie, broth made of that herb, proverbial for its insipidity; and hence an ...
/e/egg.htm - 10k

Sop (3 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:14). Our Lord took a piece of unleavened bread, and dipping it into the broth
of bitter herbs at the Paschal meal, gave it to Judas. (Comp. Ruth 2:14.). ...
/s/sop.htm - 8k

Meal-time (1 Occurrence)
... When the meat was boiled in more water than was required for the ordinary "stew"
the result was the broth (Judges 6:19 f), and the meat and the broth might ...
/m/meal-time.htm - 24k

Mealtime (1 Occurrence)
... When the meat was boiled in more water than was required for the ordinary "stew"
the result was the broth (Judges 6:19 f), and the meat and the broth might ...
/m/mealtime.htm - 24k

Meals (8 Occurrences)
... When the meat was boiled in more water than was required for the ordinary "stew"
the result was the broth (Judges 6:19 f), and the meat and the broth might ...
/m/meals.htm - 27k

Pot (46 Occurrences)
... In Psalm 60:8; Psalm 108:9, it is a pot for washing. (2) parur (Numbers 11:8 1 Samuel
2:14), a vessel for boiling; in Judges 6:19, a vessel for holding broth. ...
/p/pot.htm - 25k

Cakes (65 Occurrences)
... He put the meat in a basket and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out to
him under the oak, and presented it. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV). ...
/c/cakes.htm - 26k

Unleavened (51 Occurrences)
... He put the meat in a basket and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out to
him under the oak, and presented it. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/u/unleavened.htm - 24k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... meal. He put the meat in a basket and he put the broth in a pot, and brought
it out to him under the oak, and presented it. (WEB ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Broth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus