A Biblical Literacy Moment: Deuteronomy 8:3

The phrase Man does not live on bread alone is not only a classic, it’s biblical. The line is part of a theologically deep passage that was so significant that it was even referenced in later scripture. Additionally, the well-crafted English translation has taken a life of its own. It connotes a different meaning within popular culture. As such, people may have come across this phrase without knowing its biblical origin.

Given the phrase’s rooted theological message and cultural popularity, it constitutes an essential biblical literacy passage.

The Torah Source

Man does not live on bread alone comes from a Torah’s Book of Deuteronomy. See Deuteronomy 8:3. It is located in the Torah Portion Eikev.

The passage’s notoriety largely comes from its amplification. It is twice cited in the New Testament. The line has also been employed by non-theologians such as industrialist Andrew Carnegie.

The Theology

The passage speaks of God testing the Children of Israel. The bread’s reference is to manna; the special food that God provided the Children of Israel during their wilderness wandering post-Exodus. They essentially lived on it for forty years.

The passage expresses that humans do not merely rely on food. There are spiritual needs that they as well receive from God. [Note: “but a human lives by every product of the Lord’s mouth.” Deuteronomy 8:3.]

What comes out of the Lord’s mouth? Anything from commandments, wisdom, and blessings.

The New Testament Citations

In the New Testament, in a moment of spiritual testing, this passage is cited. The Book of Matthew states:  “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^” Matthew 4:4. The passage is also referenced in Luke. See Luke 4:4.

Thus, the Torah Portion Eikev was both known and valued even at the time of the New Testament.

The Translation

A passage’s sound matters. Tantalizing readers’ ears is part of good writing.

In this case, this blog’s favored reference translation differed from the popular translated phrase. The phrase, instead, was translated as “a human doesn’t live by bread alone.” Commentary of the Torah, Friedman, P. 592.

In comparing the two translations, an aesthetic judgment can be made. Man sounds better than human – less syllables. The contraction doesn’t is not as demonstrative as does not. Finally, on sounds better than by within the phrase.

While both translations convey the same message, one simply sounds better.

Sounding good, however, is not everything. In translating a larger work, standards may be set. Certain methods are meant to apply across the board. For instance, a translation might be dedicated to using the word human instead of man throughout for a particular word. Further, contractions might be something applied en masse.

Essentially, putting the translation or writing in a larger system of preferred words and punctuation, certain things may literally write themselves. In sum, a translation may have been a product following a consistent format. As such, employing the more popular version would not have been considered appropriate. Perhaps, a footnote of the more popular translation would be appropriate.

As such, one can appreciate a translator’s struggle.

The Life of Its Own

The beauty about language and specifically English is that words and phrases can take a life of their own. Man does not live on bread alone without taking within the scripture’s context means something else.

When gastronomically viewed, it speaks to humans’ need for a variety in life. Who can eat bread all the time? How about some pasta? This direction departs from the original passage’s spirituality.

Conclusion

Deuteronomy’s passage man does not live on bread alone is an essential biblical literacy phrase. It is not only a theologically important passage that was cited in the New Testament, it also resonates within popular culture.

In popular culture, however, this particular verse took on its own life; its meaning differs from the original intent.

The passage’s translation also brings insight as to how this skill can impact scripture. A skillful translation can make things memorable. In contrast, a larger scale plan for a consistent translation may dilute a previously popular line’s punch.

Be well!!

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