פּוֹל
a bean (as plump)
Definition
פּוֹל (pôwl) refers to the common bean, a type of legume cultivated in the ancient Near East. The word specifically denotes the plump, edible seeds of the bean plant. In its two biblical occurrences, it is listed among other staple foodstuffs, indicating its role as a basic dietary component. There are no distinct metaphorical or alternative meanings for this word in the biblical text; it consistently refers to the literal bean.
Biblical Usage
This noun is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in lists of provisions. In 2 Samuel 17:28, beans are among the supplies brought to David and his weary army at Mahanaim, highlighting them as practical sustenance. In Ezekiel 4:9, God instructs the prophet to take beans, along with wheat, barley, and other grains, to make a bread that symbolizes the scarce and besieged diet of Jerusalem. Its usage is strictly literal and culinary.
Etymology
The word פּוֹל (pôwl) derives from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to be thick' or 'plump,' a direct reference to the bean's shape. It is a cognate with similar words in related Semitic languages like Arabic (fūl) and Aramaic, all referring to beans. This stable etymology across languages confirms its long-standing identification as a specific, well-known food item.
Semantic Range
Beans were a vital, protein-rich staple in the ancient Israelite diet, especially for common people and soldiers. They were often dried and stored, making them a reliable food source. The inclusion of beans in Ezekiel's bread recipe (Ezekiel 4:9) underscores their association with hardship and siege conditions, as they were a basic, filling food used when supplies were limited. This contrasts with modern perceptions where beans are one choice among many diverse foods.
While no direct synonyms for 'bean' exist, it is grouped with other staple grains: חִטָּה (chittah, H2406) — wheat; שְׂעֹרָה (se'orah, H8184) — barley; דֹּחַן (dochan, H1698) — millet; and כֻּסְּמִים (kussemim, H3698) — spelt.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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