A family member recently started experiencing an abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation), so I decided to see if the Bible had anything to say about a proper diet for the heart.
Scripture never disappoints! Psalm 104:14-15 was loaded with wise advice:
“[YHVH] causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
And vegetation for the service of man,
That he may bring forth food from the earth,
And wine that makes glad the heart of man,
Oil to make his face shine,
And bread which strengthens man’s heart.”
I began studying these verses by looking up the meanings of the original Hebrew words used. Since I’m not a native Hebrew speaker, I used online study tools, such as the E-Sword and Jeff Benner’s Ancient Hebrew Lexicon.
My theory is that
(A) The Bible is true on every matter to which it speaks;
(B) It says these foods are good for man and, specifically, for his heart;
(C) Even if these foods contradict modern science, the Bible is true when it says that these are good for man and his heart.
So let’s take a look at the foods the Bible says are designed for man’s good:
Grass-Fed Beef
“He causes the grass to grow for the cattle.”
Cattle – behemah, Strong’s #929
בּהמה
(E-Sword) A large quadruped, a mute beast.
(Benner) Tall, high, or lifted-up creature; symbolic of wealth.
The lexicons and commentaries also gave the idea of cattle being an acquired (or owned) large beast that does its duty for man.
Note that God made grass to be the diet of cattle.
Green grass – #2628
חציר
(E-Sword) From the greenness of a courtyard; grass, hay, leek.
(Benner) Grass or herbage that grows in the yard.
Resources:
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/farm-ranch/splendor-from-the-grass/
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/food-features/its-the-beef/
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/farm-ranch/how-we-farmed-traditional-american-farming-techniques-and-what-we-can-learn-from-them/
Vibrantly Colored Vegetables
“…vegetation for the service of man.”
Vegetation – #6212
עשׂב
(E-Sword) to glisten or be green; grass or any tender shoot.
(Benner) The grasses and plants of the field used for their medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities.
I noted that the Hebrew word for vegetation is from a root meaning “do, work, to bring to pass or bring about; for the use of the house.”
Service – #5656
עֲבֹדַ֣ת
(E-Sword) Work of any kind.
(Benner) Service.
(BDB) Labor or service: in the field, in fine linen, in the erection of a building, in service of others (slave or free), in military service, in the work of a priest or singers or doorkeeper in the service of God.
Vegetables of all types should be eaten every 2-3 hours, preferably a minimum of 7 cups per day. Deep colors, the kinds that can stain your clothing, should be emphasized for heart health. Some should be eaten raw, many should be eaten fermented (see below), and some should be cooked and eaten with a good fat (such as butter or olive oil; see below).
Resources:
- https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/value_of_vegetables.htm
- https://youtu.be/P7fHYSyvxU0
- Nourishing Traditions, p. 366 (on the preparation of vegetables)
Bread from the Earth
“…That he may bring forth food from the earth”
I’ll talk about the definition of bread below, but please note that our food should come from the earth. In other words, the source of our food should be as close as possible to how the Creator gave it to us.
It also makes sense that health can be helped by spending time outside gardening and cultivating our own food.
Resources:
Wine to Make the Heart Glad
Wine – #3196
יין
(E-Sword) To effervesce, to ferment.
(Benner) From the mire, especially from the fermented juice of fresh grapes.
(Webster) From the deep mud, soft and wet, matter into which one can sink.
Make glad – #8055
שׂמח
(E-Sword) To brighten up, to cause to be blithe or gleesome.
(Benner) A spontaneous expression of excitement and cheer; a state of great happiness.
Heart – #3824
לבב
(E-Sword) The most interior organ; to be enclosed.
(Benner) The authority inside.
My hunch is that the resveratrol is one of the reasons why wine is good for heart health. However, the word for wine means to “effervesce” or “ferment,” and it seems that the health benefits of wine also come from many times of fermented fruits and vegetables. We may not fully understand the benefits of these foods yet.
Of course, it should be noted that the fermented foods referenced in this verse made the heart glad, or give it great cheer, spontaneous excitement, or great happiness. This word is only translated in the Bible as wine or banquet. Regardless of our opinions, the Bible says this food is good for the heart.
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/150470-the-best-wines-for-resveratrol/
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/red-wine-resveratrol-health-benefits-3511275
- https://www.livescience.com/39125-foods-good-sources-resveratrol.html
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/food-features/lacto-fermentation/
Oil to Make the Lungs Strong
“…oil to make his face shine”
Oil – #8081
שָּׁ֑מֶן
(E-Sword) Grease, liquid as from the olive, often perfumed; figuratively, richness.
(Benner) olive oil, or oil used as medicinal ointment; fat or rich; that which defines breath or character (from the word shem, or name).
Face – #6440
פּנים
(E-Sword) Face, that which turns.
(Benner) The face, the outward appearance, that which is present.
Shine – #6670
צהל
(E-Sword) To gleam, to be cheerful, to sound clear (bellow, neigh, shout, etc.)
(Benner) The shouting of a voice in joy or singing. The neighing or a horse or bull as a shouting.
The word oil commonly refers to olive oil, but it also refers to any oil that is “greasy” or “rich,” which would includes fats such as butter (from the cattle mentioned above) or from other plant-based oils, even including medicinal ointments.
Note that the word shine means to be cheerful or to have a clear sounding shout, to to be able to shout in joy or song. This reminds me of having strong lungs, such as a neighing horse or strong bull.
It is known that good fats strengthen the cell walls, especially of the heart and lungs, so that they do not collapse. Strong cell walls are needed for good communication of cells with other cells in the body and for the transfer of hormones, as well as for structural integrity of valves, arteries, and veins.
Rancid, man-made oils would obviously have the opposite effect, since they are not “from the earth.”
Resources:
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/saturated-fat-body-good/
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/know-your-fats/cholesterol-and-stroke/
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/ask-the-doctor/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/
Bread to Strengthen the Heart
“…and bread which strengthens man’s heart.”
Bread – #3899
לחם
(E-Sword) Food, especially bread or grain.
(Benner) Flour and water are mixed together and kneaded. Also war in the sense of fighting with the bread when kneading.
(Anne) Comes from a root meaning fermented food that separates, such as curds & whey, heat from the sun warming the contents of a bag. (חם)
Strengthen – #5582
סעד
(E-Sword) To support, to hold up.
(Benner) To hold up; To continue in the same condition without failing or losing effectiveness or force. Be a support or aid for strength or rest.
Heart – #3824
לבב
(E-Sword) The most interior organ; to be enclosed.
(Benner) The authority inside.
The bread mentioned in this verse is clearly a gluten-containing food substance that contains flour and water which are mixed together and kneaded. This is not a low-carb, gluten-free substance.
However, it should be noted that whole grains contain substances that are good for the heart, that they needed to be prepared with a fermented process (which reminds me of sourdough and traditional breads), and that the grains should come from the earth (see above). Bread traditionally contains grain, water, salt, and something that contains a yeast so that it can rise. Many breads also contain oils, and my personal opinion is that this is where the problem arises with many store-bought breads, which contain rancid and trans-fats. Natural sourdough and slow-rise artisan breads, on the other hand, seem to fit the description of bread used in this verse.
Resources:
- https://creationtoday.org/bread-can-strengthen-your-heart/
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/food-features/our-daily-bread/
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/food-features/be-kind-to-your-grains-and-your-grains-will-be-kind-to-you/
- https://youtu.be/2FVfJTGpXnU
In Summary
These two verses list healthy foods to help mankind labor and enjoy a cheerful disposition, strong lungs, and a strong heart:
- Grass-fed beef and dairy products
- Vegetables eaten multiple times a day, from a variety of sources and colors
- Food grown as close to home and the earth as possible
- Fermented foods of all sorts, including wine
- Foods eaten in a happy atmosphere of friends and family
- Healthy oils, such as olive oil, butter, animal fats, and medicinal oils
- Properly prepared bread products, such as sourdough bread, made with healthy oils and fats
It should be noted that these are not the only verses in the Bible on the heart, and those should be studied and applied as well. However, this is a good starting point.
