Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.
Word-by-Word Analysis
Analysis
Give us this day our daily bread. This petition addresses humanity's fundamental dependence on God for sustenance. The Greek artos (ἄρτος, "bread") represents basic nourishment, standing for all necessities of life. The qualifier epiousios (ἐπιούσιος, "daily") is rare in ancient literature, possibly meaning "sufficient for today," "for the coming day," or "necessary for existence."
This request acknowledges human dependence while modeling contentment with basic provisions rather than luxury or excess. The petition follows immediately after seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, suggesting that material needs, while legitimate, are secondary to spiritual priorities.
The present imperative "give" (dos, δός) indicates ongoing dependence rather than one-time provision. The plural "us" emphasizes communal concern—followers of Jesus pray not just for personal needs but for the community's welfare.
Historical Context
In ancient Palestine, daily bread was literally a daily concern for most people. Laborers were typically paid at the end of each workday (Leviticus 19:13), and families often lived from day to day without significant food storage. Bread was the staple food, representing up to 70% of caloric intake for ordinary people.
The wilderness wandering provided the theological background for this petition, where Israel learned to depend on God for daily manna (Exodus 16). They could not hoard manna—it spoiled if kept overnight (except on the Sabbath), teaching complete dependence on God's daily provision.
Jewish blessings over bread acknowledged God as the source of provision: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who bringest forth bread from the earth." Jesus' prayer reflects this understanding while emphasizing ongoing dependence rather than accumulated wealth.
Questions for Reflection
- How does praying for 'daily bread' challenge consumer culture's emphasis on accumulation and security through material wealth?
- What does it mean to depend on God for daily provision in developed economies where food security seems guaranteed?
- How should the plural 'us' in this petition influence Christian attitudes toward global hunger and economic inequality?
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