Also to be noted is the established tradition of giving thanks to God* before a meal (Deut 8:10), carefully regulated at Qumran (Josephus J.W. 2.131; 1QS 6:4–5) and in the Mishnah (m. Ber. 6–8), and followed both by Jesus (Mk 6:41 par.; 8:6–7 par.; 14:22–23 par.) and by the first Christians (Rom 14:6; 1 Cor 10:30; 1 Tim 4:4). The typical thanksgiving over the bread would be: “Blessed are you, Lord, who brings forth bread from the earth.” We do not know for certain but
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