אׇכְלָה (okh.lah)
okh.lah
food
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun okhlah simply means food, referring to what is eaten or consumed. It appears eight times in the Hebrew Bible, with notable occurrences in Genesis, Leviticus, and Jeremiah. In its most basic sense, it denotes sustenance, such as the provisions prepared for a journey or the daily bread required for life.
However, the word carries a darker nuance when applied to things that are not meant for human consumption. It can describe an object of devouring, whether by wild beasts or in fire. This usage appears figuratively in Jeremiah, where food becomes a metaphor for judgment, suggesting that what is consumed brings destruction rather than nourishment.
The term’s range extends from the ordinary act of eating to the violent imagery of being devoured. Translators typically render it as "food" or "eating," depending on context. The sources highlight this duality: it is both the gift of sustenance and, in certain prophetic contexts, the instrument of divine judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Food is often seen as a basic necessity, yet Scripture presents it as a profound gift from God. In Genesis, He provides plants and fruits specifically for sustenance, establishing that nourishment is an act of care rather than mere survival. This perspective invites us to view our daily meals with gratitude, recognizing the Creator’s provision in even the simplest elements of life.
However, the word also carries a weightier meaning in prophetic texts, where it can symbolize judgment or destruction. When Jeremiah speaks of devouring, he uses this term to describe consequences that strip away peace rather than provide comfort. This duality reminds us that what we consume—whether physically or spiritually—shapes our inner state and our relationship with God.
Understanding this range helps us appreciate the balance in our faith. We are called to receive good gifts with thanksgiving while remaining vigilant against anything that consumes us negatively. By reflecting on these texts, we can find wisdom in how we approach both our physical needs and our spiritual health, trusting in God’s guidance for every season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ food5×
- <into>/ food2×
- for/ food1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/אָכְלָֽה\׃4×
- לְ/אָכְלָ֑ה3×
- לְ/אָכְלָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:29
God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food.
This verse establishes food as a deliberate gift from God for human sustenance, highlighting His provision before the fall.
-
Exodus 16:15
When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which Yahweh has given you to eat.
Here, manna is identified as bread given by Yahweh, showing how God provides supernatural sustenance in times of need.
-
Jeremiah 12:9
Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the animals of the field. Bring them to devour.
The prophet uses the concept of devouring to illustrate how betrayal and judgment can turn heritage into a source of destruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word okhlah mean?
How is okhlah used differently in Genesis versus Jeremiah?
Why is this word significant for understanding biblical theology?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 4 books)
Genesis 4 verses
God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree,…
Genesis 1:30To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there…
Genesis 6:21Take with you some of all food that is eaten, and gather it to yourself; and it will be for food for you, and for them.”
Genesis 9:3Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. As I gave you the green herb, I have given everything to you.