The Jewish Background to the Lord’s Prayer (Part V)
24 Sep 2023
Give us this day our daily bread (‘Et lechem chukenu ten lanu hayom’)
Perhaps surprisingly, this simple stanza is arguably the most controversial element of the Lord’s prayer.
Unique term
The Greek ‘epiousion’ - regularly translated ‘daily’ - sits at the root. The reason is that it is quite unusual in Greek. Origen (184-254CE) notes this is a word unique to the gospels. Some scholars have proposed it is actually ‘bread for the next day’, drawing on ‘epeimi’. However, the Latin translation is crystal clear – signifying bread needed for sustenance.
Jerome (342-420CE) cited a different version of this verse in the Hebrew language appearing in the 'Gospel of the Nazarenes' (synonymous with the 'Gospel of the Hebrews'), utilising the Hebrew word ‘machar’, which translates as ‘tomorrow’. Jeremias aligned with Jerome, claiming ‘tomorrow’ is the original reading.
This has significant impact both theologically and eschatologically. The approach is rendered problematic by way of there being no proof texts to support Jerome’s views. Equally, there is no link between ‘machar’ and ‘epiousion’. A straight translation would take ‘machar’ into ‘aurion’.
However, the Latin translation is crystal clear – signifying bread needed for sustenance.
Hebraic context
Applying a Hebraic context, both societally and grammatically, can propose a solution. Working on the premise that a rare Greek word would hint at a more complex Hebraic structure can point us to the Book of Proverbs, where an unusual Hebrew idiom can be found. Proverbs 30:8 states: ‘Remove me far from falsehood and lying, give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with the food that is needful for me’.
The key Hebrew here is ‘lechem chuki – ‘food that is needful for me’. ‘Lechem’, of course, translates as 'bread', which by way of biblical extension signifies all of man’s needs. The suggestion is that Jesus is conducting ‘remez’ – a Jewish teaching technique of cross-referencing larger Bible passages with one or two words to make a point around a whole complex of ideas.
In line with His plan
When a person petitions God, it would be remiss to ask for wealth; rather, the correct approach would be to request the portion allotted them by God. This would be what is needed for sustenance and constitutes neither extravagant wealth nor crushing poverty. It is what God’s plan for that person requires. It seems to me that this is the basic sense of the Greek ‘epiousion’, so the prayer if for God’s provision in line with His plan.
so the prayer if for God’s provision in line with His plan.
This makes eminent sense because it demonstrates how Jesus used Scripture; suggesting that a prayer of this nature is not the correct vehicle for a verbatim quote of Proverbs 30:8, so let’s make use of ‘remez’ and allude to it, just as Jesus did when questioned about Temple tax or when He was faced with the deaf and dumb demoniac. Reference the passage and then dig into it in any subsequent discussion.
To understand this approach, and to catch the nuance, requires biblical literacy. Jesus’ disciples and listeners had this ability. However, with the translation to Greek and re-interpretation into English, it is far harder for us. The good news is that whichever way you read it, the reference to ‘daily bread’ is a potent one. It corresponds to the Exodus and Wilderness years, where a daily amount was set for every day other than Shabbat, and the idea that He who created the day also created its portion.
Dependence on God
The sense of dependence that this brings is fully in accord with biblical teaching in general, and the notion of complete reliance to God. A Jewish sage asked his disciples whether they had ever seen a wild animal or bird labouring in a vocation to earn their sustenance? The answer is ‘No, they are provided for by the creator and were created to serve mankind’. Following on from this, man was formed to serve the creator and therefore how much more should man be provided for? Seen in this light, the imperative actually falls on ‘this day’, fully in accordance with Jesus’ deep concern around worries and anxiety.
man was formed to serve the creator and therefore how much more should man be provided for?
Matthew 6:25-26 (Luke 12:22-24) says:
‘Therefore I tell you; do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?’
Blessed be the Lord, day by day
We must depend on God for all of today’s requirements, and not worry about tomorrow. An appreciation of the Jewish background to this stanza can be incredibly enlightening. By comparison, the Talmud tells that the two sages ministering during the early years of Jesus had contrasting approaches. Shammai, the strict one, would examine his food every day to ensure that he was saving his best bits for Shabbat. Hillel, the liberal one, meanwhile, simply said ‘Blessed be The Lord, day by day' (Ps 68:19).
We must depend on God for all of our today’s requirements, and not worry about tomorrow.
Hillel emphasises today for the sake of heaven. Faith thanks God for today, Fear worries about tomorrow. Jesus‘ instruction, ‘Give us this day’ aligns with Hillel and focuses in on God.
The promise of God’s provision has to be seen in the light of Matthew 6:32-34a:
‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.’
Nick Thompson worked extensively in national newspaper marketing teams in the 80s and 90s. He currently lives in North Lincolnshire and works in software development and football. He is a Trustee of Prayer for Israel and a member of the Prophecy Today Editorial Board. The other parts of this series are available here.
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Nick Thompson