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 Food, Culture and Religion
Although this book includes recipes, it contains far more regarding food's role in their culture, lifestyle and religious beliefs. What Scripture forbade and why, sacrifices at the Temple, the agricultural year and its festivals, and other tangible ways that it played into their lives are all included here.
The book begins with a culinary history of the Bible, a timeline and an explanation of dining customs in the `biblical' era, where biblical includes both the Old and New Testaments. It continues with fifty-plus pages on the various kinds of food, including the main crops: Grain and Bread, the Fruit of the Vine, Olives and Olive Oil, Other Fruits of the Good Land, Vegetables, Fish and Other Fruit of the Ancient Sea, Meat, Milk and Milk Products, Biblical Sweets, and Herbs and Spices.
Each section has subsections and pictures; for example, the section on fish includes `Fishing in the Sea of Galilee,' `Hook, Line and Sinker,' and `Fish Dishes,' as well as a recipe for St. Peter's fish. The section, which runs from page 57 to 60, contains color illustrations of anchors from Jesus' time, fish, a mosaic of a fisherman returning with his catch, a mosaic depicting an ancient boat, fishermen pulling a dragnet (Matthew 13:47), fishermen using a trammel net, an excavated boat from the Galilee, a mosaic depicting two fish and a loaf of bread, a carving of fishermen working on an Egyptian canal, a mosaic depicting fishermen from Jordan, modern-day fishermen on the Galilee, the fish market in Acre, and a modern-day fishing net in use.
Other sections have parallel sections and illustrations, and the book finishes with sections on `Keeping Food and Keeping it Fresh,' the Last Supper, `Biblical Weights and Their Equivalent in Our Terms,' `Biblical Recipes' (40+), and `How Much Did Food Cost?'
I have several books on food in the bible, and this is my favorite. You can see other alternatives on my ListMania for `Food in Jesus' Time.' Click `Emily Jamison' above, and scroll down to my ListMania section.
Foods at the Time of the Bible
When I was looking for book that dealt with foods from the Bible I ordered several different kinds. I found this one was the best. It gave the history of the Bible times and a section of recipes that would be available during Bible times.
We had our church service last Sunday and had a social hour where we served three tables full of foods from the Bible. We were studying the books of Jonah and Ruth so fish and grains for Bread recipes were available in this book. It was very helpful and easy to prepare. I recommend this book if you are interested in studying foods from the Bible
Food, life and agriculture come alive
Food At The Time Of The Bible: From Adam's Apple To The Last Supper
We are using this wonderful resource to help us recreate the village of Bethlehem on the eve of Jesus' birth at our large parish hall this December. It was recommended as an accurate resource by a recreated village in Israel.
I was delighted to find that it contained far more than recipes. It explains the foods, crops, and agricultural practices from the time. The farming practices bring the food to life! You will read about the "Seven Species as well as a multitude of other foods. You will read about farming and harvesting year round; the barley harvest in Spring, grapes, wheat, and pomegranates in Summer, dates and raisins in Autumn and leeks, onions and garlic in Winter. These descriptions are often tied to biblical customs or references: "They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest..." (Ruth 1:22)
Profusely illustrated with photographs and drawings you will see images of tilling, planting, cutting, threshing, winnowing, milling, and finally baking with grains. The photos are thoughtfully presented using people in costume as well as farmers today still using the old methods. I've bought and handed out at least 6 copies of this great resource to people involved in our recreation project.
It is a great general reference as well as an agricultural tour and cookbook.
GOOD FOOD
GREAT BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON FO0DS IN BIBLE TIMES. PICTURES ARE GREAT. I WANTED A BOOK TO HAVE A BIBLE FOODS PARTY FOR YOUNG TEENS. WELL PRESENTED IN A WAY THAT ALL COULD TAKE A PART. BROUGHT IT TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE AND THEY WOULDN'T LET ME TAKE IT HOME. I THINK THERE WILL BE MORE ORDERS FOR AMAZON.
 Depends on What You're Looking for
If you're a pastor or Bible studier, this is an excellent, fun, and interesting book. There are lots of illustrations, although the quality of some of the pictures is lacking.
If you're a cook or someone looking into healthier eating, it may not be exactly what you're looking for. There are a couple dozen recipes at the back of the book, but explanation on ancient food techniques related to the recipes leaves you wanting more information.
If you're just curious and interested in the way the Old World esteemed and prepared food this is probably just the book for you. Whatever your reason for considering it, it is a nice book, although a little thinner than I expected.
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