לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem)
le.chem
food
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 242 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun lechem refers broadly to food, with a primary focus on bread or grain as the staple sustenance for people and animals. Its meaning ranges from the physical act of eating to the provision itself, appearing in contexts that describe daily meals, royal provisions, or even the fruit of trees. In Genesis 3:19, it anchors God’s curse regarding human labor, linking survival directly to the toil of producing bread.
A striking usage occurs in Leviticus 21:8 and 6:17, where lechem describes the "bread of God," specifically the grain offerings placed on the altar. This highlights a theological point: food is not merely for human consumption but serves as a means of communion with the divine. The term also appears in Exodus 25:30 for the showbread, emphasizing its role in sacred ritual.
Etymologically, lechem derives from a root associated with fighting or striving, suggesting that obtaining food often involves struggle. This connection underscores the biblical view of sustenance as something earned through effort, whether in agriculture or battle. Translators typically render it as "bread" or "food," capturing its dual role as physical nourishment and symbolic provision.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word lechem points to more than just bread; it represents the essential sustenance required for life. In Genesis 3:19, God reminds us that obtaining this food comes through the sweat of our face. This reality grounds us in the dignity of labor and the tangible needs of daily existence. It is a reminder that our physical bodies require care and provision.
Yet lechem also carries deep spiritual significance beyond mere survival. In Exodus 16, God provides manna from heaven to feed His people in the wilderness. This act shows that He cares for every detail of their lives. When we receive our daily bread, we are reminded of His faithful provision and presence.
We can trust that the same God who provided for Israel will meet our needs. Whether in times of abundance or scarcity, lechem invites us to look up and acknowledge the Source of all good gifts. May you find peace in knowing that your Father knows what you need.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 242 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- food67×
- bread62×
- bread of11×
- [the] food of10×
- the/ bread9×
- [the] bread of8×
- food of5×
- bread[s]5×
- bread/ your5×
- and/ bread5×
- the/ food4×
- for <the>/ food4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָֽחֶם\׃23×
- לֶ֣חֶם22×
- לֶ֖חֶם21×
- לֶ֔חֶם20×
- לֶ֥חֶם17×
- לֶ֙חֶם֙11×
- לָ֑חֶם10×
- לֶ֤חֶם9×
- לֶ֜חֶם7×
- לֶ֛חֶם6×
- הַ/לֶּ֖חֶם6×
- לֶ֭חֶם4×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:19
You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground, for you were taken out of it. For you are dust, and you shall return to dust.”
This verse anchors the word in the reality of human labor, linking the physical act of eating bread to the consequences of the fall and the necessity of work.
-
Exodus 16:4
Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.
Here lechem appears as manna from heaven, demonstrating God's direct provision and testing of His people's trust in His daily care.
-
Genesis 47:15
When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and said, “Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For our money fails.”
The phrase 'give us bread' highlights the life-or-death stakes of food during famine, showing how lechem represents survival itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lechem mean in the Bible?
Why is bread so important in Scripture?
How is lechem different from other words for food?
Every Occurrence (242 verses across 29 books)
Genesis 22 verses
You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground, for you were taken out of it. For you are…
Genesis 14:18Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
Genesis 18:5I will get a piece of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to…
Genesis 21:14Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her…
Genesis 25:34Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 27:17She gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
Genesis 28:20Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to…
Genesis 31:54Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night…
Genesis 37:25They sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from…
Genesis 39:6He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate.…
Genesis 41:54The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of…
Genesis 41:55When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians,…
Genesis 43:25They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
Genesis 43:31He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.”
Genesis 43:32They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the…
Genesis 45:23He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded…
Genesis 47:12Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household with bread, according to the sizes of their…
Genesis 47:13There was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan…
Genesis 47:15When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and…
Genesis 47:17They brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, and for the flocks, and…
Genesis 47:19Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be…
Genesis 49:20“Asher’s food will be rich. He will produce royal dainties.