The term "eatest" is an archaic form of the verb "eat," found in older English translations of the Bible. It is the second person singular present tense form, used primarily in the King James Version (KJV) and other early English translations. In modern translations, such as the Berean Standard Bible , this form is typically rendered as "eat" or "you eat."

Biblical Context

"Eatest" appears in contexts where God, prophets, or other figures address individuals directly, often in discussions about dietary laws, spiritual nourishment, or symbolic acts involving food. The use of "eatest" underscores the personal and direct nature of these communications.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, dietary laws and the act of eating are significant, both in literal and symbolic terms. For example, in Genesis 3:11 (KJV), God questions Adam, "Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" In the BSB, this is rendered as, "Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" This passage highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands regarding what one may or may not eat.

The dietary laws given to the Israelites in Leviticus also emphasize the importance of eating according to God's instructions. While the term "eatest" itself may not appear in the BSB, the concept of eating in obedience to divine law is a recurring theme.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the act of eating takes on additional spiritual significance. Jesus often used meals and the act of eating to teach deeper spiritual truths. In John 6:53-54 , Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." Here, eating is symbolic of accepting and internalizing the life and sacrifice of Christ.

The Lord's Supper, or Communion, is another significant New Testament context where eating is central. In 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 , Paul recounts Jesus' words: "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." The act of eating the bread and drinking the cup is a profound expression of faith and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of eating in the Bible often transcends the physical act and points to spiritual truths. Eating can symbolize acceptance, communion, and obedience. In the Garden of Eden, eating from the forbidden tree led to the fall of man, illustrating the consequences of disobedience. Conversely, eating the bread and drinking the cup in the Lord's Supper symbolizes the believer's participation in the new covenant through Christ's sacrifice.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical teachings on eating encourage mindfulness about what is consumed, both physically and spiritually. The Bible calls for discernment in dietary choices, as seen in the Old Testament laws, and in spiritual nourishment, as emphasized in the teachings of Jesus. The act of eating, whether in daily life or in religious observance, serves as a reminder of God's provision, the importance of obedience, and the spiritual sustenance found in Christ.

A Synopsis of Some Apostolic Words from the Same Discourse.
... 2904] For when (our first parents) heard, "Of the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day thou eatest thereof thou ...
/.../methodius/from the discourse on the resurrection/ii a synopsis of some.htm

The New Birth
... Now, God had told him before, "In the day that thou eatest" of that fruit, "thou
shalt surely die." And the word of the Lord cannot be broken. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 45 the new birth.htm

Free Will --A Slave
... First, we are all of us, by nature, legally dead""In the day that thou eatest thereof
thou shalt die the death," said God to Adam; and though Adam did not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/free willa slave.htm

Life in Christ
... "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die," was the Lord's threatening
to our first parent, who was the representative of the race. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/life in christ.htm

Psalm CXLV.
... Thou eatest, when thou learnest; thou pourest forth again, when thou teachest: thou
eatest, when thou hearest; thou pourest forth again, when thou preachest ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlv.htm

Revelation of Moses.
... to one far inferior. Why eatest thou of the tares [2463] of Adam and his
wife, and not of the fruit of paradise? Arise and come ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of moses/revelation of moses.htm

Ephesians vi. 14
... them that eat this Passover look towards Egypt, but towards Heaven, towards "Jerusalem
that is above." (Galatians 4:26.) On this account thou eatest with thy ...
/.../homily xxiii ephesians vi 14.htm

Of the First Covenant.
... live in them.""Genesis 2:17.""But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxii of the first.htm

The Three Facts of Salvation
... "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Therefore death is
the punishment which must be in one of the facts of salvation. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/the three facts of salvation.htm

Colossians ii. 6, 7
... owe to God obedience; or if not this, he means that the devil held possession of
it, the bond which God made for Adam, saying, "In the day thou eatest of the ...
/.../homily vi colossians ii 6.htm

Eatest (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eatest (5 Occurrences). ... 1 Samuel 1:8 Then said Elkanah
her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? ...
/e/eatest.htm - 7k

Jez'ebel (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him: 'Why is
thy spirit so sullen, that thou eatest no bread?' (See RSV). ...
/j/jez'ebel.htm - 11k

Weepest (3 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 1 Samuel 1:8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest
thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? ...
/w/weepest.htm - 7k

Removest (2 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Micah 6:14 Thou -- thou eatest, and thou art not satisfied, And thy pit
'is' in thy midst, And thou removest, and dost not deliver, And that which thou ...
/r/removest.htm - 7k

Elka'nah (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:8 And Elkanah her husband said unto her: 'Hannah, why weepest
thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? ...
/e/elka'nah.htm - 11k

Eater's (1 Occurrence)

/e/eater's.htm - 6k

Adam (29 Occurrences)
... its fruits under this one prohibition: "Of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou ...
/a/adam.htm - 63k

Sullen (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 21:5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said
unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? ...
/s/sullen.htm - 8k

Death (1610 Occurrences)
... in His own image, the command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil,
and added thereto the warning, "in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou ...
/d/death.htm - 68k

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