עָדָשׁ

a lentil

Definition

The Hebrew noun עָדָשׁ (ʻâdâsh) refers specifically to the lentil, a small, edible legume. In the Bible, it consistently denotes this type of bean, which was a staple food in the ancient Near East. The word appears in contexts describing basic sustenance, such as in the stew for which Esau traded his birthright (Genesis 25:34) and in the provisions brought to David's forces (2 Samuel 17:28). It is also listed among the grains and legumes used in Ezekiel's symbolic bread (Ezekiel 4:9).

Biblical Usage

The word is used exclusively as a common noun for the lentil in four Old Testament passages. It appears in narrative contexts related to food and provision: in the patriarchal story of Genesis 25:34, in accounts of supplying armies in 2 Samuel 17:28 and 2 Samuel 23:11, and in the prophetic object lesson of Ezekiel 4:9. Its usage is straightforward and literal, with no figurative or symbolic applications in the biblical text.

Etymology

The word עָדָשׁ (ʻâdâsh) is derived from an unused Hebrew root of uncertain meaning. It is a primary noun for the lentil plant and its seed. Cognates exist in related Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic ʻdṯ and Arabic ʻadas, confirming its ancient origin as a specific term for this common legume.

Semantic Range

Lentils were a fundamental, protein-rich food source in the ancient Israelite diet, often cooked into stews or pottages. The story of Esau selling his birthright for a meal of lentil stew (Genesis 25:34) highlights the bean's role as a basic, hearty sustenance, contrasting sharply with the immense spiritual value of the birthright. This cultural context makes Esau's choice a powerfully relatable image of impulsively trading a lasting privilege for immediate, mundane satisfaction.

While there is no direct synonym for 'lentil,' it is grouped with other staple foods: שְׂעֹרָה (sᵉʻōrâ, H8184) — barley, a grain; and חִטָּה (ḥiṭṭâ, H2406) — wheat, another primary grain.

Word Details

Scripture References