What does the Bible say about vegetables?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible presents vegetables as good gifts from God, fitting for grateful nourishment, wise stewardship, and loving fellowship rather than pride or division. God gave plants for food in Genesis 1:29, and after the flood he also permitted meat in Genesis 9:3. Daniel 1:12 and 1:16 show vegetables serving faithful self-discipline in a particular setting, not a universal dietary law. Romans 14:2 teaches believers not to despise or judge one another over eating practices, since faith receives God’s gifts with thanksgiving. Proverbs 15:17 commends love above luxurious fare, while 1 Corinthians 8:8 and 10:31 remind us that food does not establish our standing before God and that all eating should glorify him.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 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.

  • Daniel 1:12

    Prove your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

  • Genesis 9:3

    Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. As the green herb, I have given everything to you.

  • Romans 14:2

    One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.

  • Daniel 1:16

    So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.

  • Numbers 11:5

    We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:

  • Proverbs 15:17

    Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a fattened calf with hatred.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:8

    But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don't eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

  • 2 Kings 4:39

    One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered of it wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of stew; for they didn't recognize them.

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