Bread
לֶחֶם (lechem)
Basic sustenance — the staff of life and symbol of God's provision and Christ's body.
Lechem is the Hebrew word for bread, the staple food of the ancient world. It symbolizes God's provision, sustenance, and ultimately Christ Himself — the Bread of Life who satisfies every hunger.
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger." — John 6:35 (KJV)
Key Verses
John 6:35
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger.”Read in context
Matthew 4:4
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”Read in context
Exodus 16:15
“And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H3899 — Bread (לֶחֶם (lechem))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where לֶחֶם (lechem) appears.
Open Strong's H3899Etymology and Original Meaning
Lechem means 'bread' or 'food' in general — the basic sustenance of life. The city of Bethlehem (Beth-Lechem) means 'house of bread.' In a subsistence culture, bread was not a side dish but survival itself. To have bread was to live; to lack it was to perish. This makes bread the natural symbol for everything essential — and for God as the ultimate provider.
Manna — Bread from Heaven
When Israel hungered in the wilderness, God rained bread from heaven — manna (Exodus 16). It appeared fresh each morning, could not be hoarded (except before Sabbath), and sustained a nation for forty years. Manna taught daily dependence: God provides, but He provides daily, requiring ongoing trust. Jesus identified Himself as the true bread from heaven that manna foreshadowed (John 6:32-33).
The Bread of Life
Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger' (John 6:35). Just as physical bread sustains the body, Christ sustains the soul. He offers not temporary satisfaction but eternal sustenance. Coming to Him is eating; believing is drinking. The metaphor is visceral and intimate — Christ must be personally received, consumed, and internalized for life.
Communion Bread
At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is broken for you' (1 Corinthians 11:24). The broken bread of communion pictures Christ's body broken on the cross. Every celebration of the Lord's Supper reenacts this: believers receive the broken bread as a tangible reminder that Christ's sacrifice provides their spiritual sustenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does bread symbolize in the Bible?
Bread (lechem) symbolizes sustenance, God's provision, and ultimately Christ Himself. From manna in the wilderness to the Bread of Life discourse to communion, bread represents everything essential for life — both physical and spiritual.
Why did Jesus call Himself the Bread of Life?
Jesus (John 6:35) identified Himself as the ultimate sustenance — the one who satisfies every spiritual hunger permanently. Just as bread sustains the body, Christ sustains the soul through personal reception and faith.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Bread"?
John 6:35 — "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger" (KJV). It also appears in Matthew 4:4, Exodus 16:15.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Bread" matter?
Lechem means 'bread' or 'food' in general — the basic sustenance of life. English uses one word, "Bread", where the Hebrew לֶחֶם (lechem) carries the fuller sense: basic sustenance — the staff of life and symbol of god's provision and christ's body.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Bread (לֶחֶם (lechem))
Basic sustenance — the staff of life and symbol of God's provision and Christ's body.
Strong's H3899 — Bread
לֶחֶם (lechem) • Basic sustenance — the staff of life and symbol of God's provision and Christ's body.
Biblical Meaning of Bread in a Dream (KJV)
Provision, the Word, and Christ Himself.
What Is the Meaning of Communion?
Prayer & Worship
Bread (ἄρτος (artos))
Physical and spiritual nourishment — a symbol of God's provision and Christ's body.
Strong's G3131 — Manna
מָן (Man) • The miraculous bread from heaven that sustained Israel in the wilderness
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