CategoryArchaic Word / Food Term
Modern Equivalentfood; nourishment.
KJV Word TypeNoun / food term
DefinitionFood in general, not only animal flesh. In KJV usage, “meat” can refer broadly to nourishment or provisions.
Key Verses"And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey." (Matthew 3:4); "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." (John 4:34)
KJV Usage NoteOften means food generally rather than specifically animal flesh. Context determines whether it means ordinary food, provisions, or spiritual nourishment.
Common MisunderstandingIt does not always mean modern “meat” as animal flesh; in KJV English it commonly means food in general.
EtymologyFrom Old English mete ("food, nourishment").