The Original Diet in Genesis
In the earliest accounts of creation, specifically Genesis 1:29, God provides a clear directive regarding the diet for humanity. "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food". This initial command established a diet based entirely on fruits, seeds, herbs, and vegetables. This foundational, plant-based diet was the standard before the Fall of Man and was seen by some theologians as reflecting a world without death or corruption. It represents a pure, natural state of being and sustenance, provided directly from creation for human flourishing.
Post-Flood: The Addition of Meat
Following the flood, a major shift occurred in dietary allowances. In Genesis 9:3, God expands the permitted foods, telling Noah, "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything". This new permission included animal meat, though it came with a key restriction: "But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood". This marks a significant transition from a solely vegetarian lifestyle to one that includes meat, though regulated by a specific command regarding the sanctity of life within the blood.
Dietary Laws for Ancient Israel: The Mosaic Covenant
For the Israelites, the dietary guidance became much more detailed and specific under the Mosaic Law, establishing a system of "clean" and "unclean" foods. These laws, primarily found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, served to set the people of Israel apart. The regulations covered a wide range of animals, from those on land to those in the water and air.
Clean Land Animals
An animal could be eaten if it met two criteria: it had to have divided hooves and chew the cud. Permitted animals included cattle, sheep, goats, and deer. Conversely, animals that only met one of these conditions, such as the pig (cloven hoofs but no cud-chewing) or the camel (cud-chewing but no split hoofs), were deemed unclean and forbidden.
Clean Aquatic Life
Fish and other sea creatures were only considered clean if they possessed both fins and scales. This rule made common aquatic foods like shellfish, shrimp, crabs, and eels unclean.
Clean Birds and Insects
Specific birds of prey and scavengers were forbidden, including eagles, vultures, and ravens. However, domestic poultry like chickens, ducks, and geese were permitted. Surprisingly, some insects, such as locusts and grasshoppers, were also deemed acceptable to eat.
The Daniel Fast: A Purposeful Restriction
Beyond the standing covenants, the Bible also records instances of temporary, purposeful dietary restrictions for spiritual reasons. A notable example is found in the Book of Daniel, where the prophet and his companions refused the king's rich food and wine, opting instead for a diet of vegetables and water for a period of ten days. This was not a command for all time but a deliberate act of spiritual discipline. The modern "Daniel Fast" is inspired by this event, focusing on a plant-based diet for a specific timeframe to emphasize prayer and spiritual focus over physical cravings.
New Testament Perspectives: Freedom in Christ
Under the New Covenant, the emphasis of dietary laws changes significantly, particularly for Christians. The focus shifts from the ceremonial adherence to rules to the internal condition of the heart and the principle of Christian freedom.
- Peter's Vision in Acts 10: The Apostle Peter has a vision of a sheet descending from heaven, containing all kinds of animals, both clean and unclean. A voice tells him to "Kill and eat," and when Peter objects, the voice replies, "What God has made clean, do not call common". This vision is interpreted as a declaration that all foods are now clean for Christians and that the old dietary distinctions are no longer mandatory.
- Jesus on Defilement: In Mark 7:19, Jesus states that "what comes out of a person is what defiles him." The passage concludes by saying, "(Thus he declared all foods clean)". This teaching shifts the source of spiritual defilement from external things like food to internal issues of the heart, such as evil thoughts and greed.
- Paul's Teaching on Conscience: The Apostle Paul addresses dietary matters in Romans 14, calling them "disputable matters". He teaches that while all food is clean for a Christian, those with a weaker conscience who believe certain foods are still unclean should be respected and not caused to stumble. He reaffirms that for the believer, "all food is clean" (Romans 14:20).
Biblical Foods Mentioned in Scripture
The Bible mentions a wide variety of foods that were staples in biblical times. These include:
- Grains: Wheat, barley, millet, spelt.
- Fruits: Grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, dates.
- Vegetables & Legumes: Lentils, beans, cucumbers, onions, garlic.
- Meat: Lamb, goat, beef (from clean animals).
- Fish: Any with fins and scales.
- Dairy: Milk, butter, cheese.
- Other: Honey, nuts (almonds), herbs, salt.
A Comparison of Biblical Dietary Phases
| Era | Primary Instruction | Key Foods | Exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis (Pre-Flood) | Plant-based diet for all humanity | Fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables | No meat permitted |
| Post-Flood (Noahic) | Meat added with blood restriction | Plants plus meat from any animal | Blood from meat |
| Old Covenant (Mosaic) | "Clean" vs. "Unclean" animals for Israelites | Clean land animals, aquatic life with fins/scales, specific birds | Pork, shellfish, scavenger birds, certain insects |
| New Covenant (Christianity) | Freedom from dietary laws; focus on gratitude | All foods are declared clean | Foods offered to idols, blood, or for spiritual conscience |
Conclusion: A Spiritual View of Eating
The question "what food did God tell us to eat" has no single, static answer across the biblical narrative. The guidelines evolved significantly from the initial plant-based diet in Eden, through the restrictive Mosaic laws for Israel, and ultimately into the freedom found in the New Testament. For the Christian, the emphasis is no longer on a detailed list of clean and unclean foods but on a spiritual approach to eating—practicing gratitude for all food and considering the conscience of fellow believers. Ultimately, the Bible teaches that what matters most is not what we eat, but the state of our heart before God. For more information on the history of biblical foods, exploring external resources can be helpful, such as this overview from My Jewish Learning.
A Spiritual View of Eating
The question "what food did God tell us to eat" has no single, static answer across the biblical narrative. The guidelines evolved significantly from the initial plant-based diet in Eden, through the restrictive Mosaic laws for Israel, and ultimately into the freedom found in the New Testament. For the Christian, the emphasis is no longer on a detailed list of clean and unclean foods but on a spiritual approach to eating—practicing gratitude for all food and considering the conscience of fellow believers. Ultimately, the Bible teaches that what matters most is not what we eat, but the state of our heart before God. For more information on the history of biblical foods, exploring external resources can be helpful, such as this overview from My Jewish Learning.
