Bran
NatureWhat is the meaning of Bran in the Bible?
The women of Babylon are described as burning 'bran' for incense in their unchaste idolatrous worship (Baruch 6:43). This practice is a form of pagan ritual.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding bran as a common agricultural byproduct clarifies the material culture of ancient Mesopotamia and explains how everyday items were repurposed for ritualistic or symbolic acts in biblical narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Bran were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Bran in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bran clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Bran." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bran/