Meal
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Meal in the Bible?
The Hebrew term me'il denotes the robe worn by the high priest, not a portion of food. In Ruth 2:14, the phrase translated as 'the time of eating' derives from the root 'akal, referring to the meal itself or the act of dining, marking a structured pause in agricultural labor for sustenance.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the distinction between the high priest's garment and the daily act of eating prevents lexical confusion and clarifies the narrative flow in Ruth. It highlights the biblical pattern of integrating physical nourishment into the workday, illustrating how divine provision is woven into the rhythms of ordinary human labor.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Meal in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Meal 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.