כֻּסֶּמֶת

כֻּסֶּמֶת

spelt (from its bristliness as if just shorn)

Definition

כֻּסֶּמֶת refers to a type of cereal grain, generally understood to be spelt, a hardy variety of wheat. It is distinguished by its bristly husk, which gives it a 'shorn' or rough appearance, as noted in its etymology. In the biblical context, it is consistently grouped with other grains like wheat and barley, indicating its role as a staple crop (Exodus 9:32, Isaiah 28:25). In Ezekiel 4:9, it is included in a recipe for bread during a siege, highlighting its use as a basic, sustaining food.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only three times in the Old Testament, always in agricultural contexts. In Exodus 9:32, it is mentioned as a crop that survived the plague of hail in Egypt, distinguishing it from the destroyed flax and barley. In Isaiah 28:25, it is listed among grains (like wheat and barley) that a farmer sows in their proper place, illustrating God's orderly wisdom in agriculture. Finally, in Ezekiel 4:9, it is one of several grains and legumes used to make a coarse 'siege bread,' symbolizing scarcity and judgment.

Etymology

The noun כֻּסֶּמֶת is derived from the root verb כָּסַם (H3697), meaning 'to shear' or 'to cut off.' This connection likely refers to the grain's bristly, rough husk that appears as if it has been shorn. Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian 'kusimmu,' also point to a type of grain, confirming its identification as a specific cereal crop.

Semantic Range

While primarily an agricultural term, כֻּסֶּמֶת contributes to theological themes of God's provision, judgment, and wisdom. In Exodus 9:32, its survival underscores God's selective control over nature in the plagues. Isaiah 28:25 uses it to illustrate divine wisdom in the natural order, a metaphor for God's guidance. In Ezekiel 4:9, its inclusion in siege bread symbolizes the hardship of God's judgment, making the word a subtle marker of both sustenance and scarcity in biblical narratives. In ancient Israel, spelt was a secondary but important grain, less prized than wheat but valued for its hardiness in poor soils and harsh conditions. Its mention alongside primary crops like wheat and barley (Isaiah 28:25) shows it was a recognized part of the agricultural economy. The use of spelt in Ezekiel's siege bread (Ezekiel 4:9) reflects its role as a famine food—a coarse, less desirable grain consumed in times of extreme scarcity, which would have been culturally understood as a sign of severe deprivation. חִטָּה (chittah, H2406) — wheat, the primary and more valued grain. שְׂעֹרָה (se'orah, H8184) — barley, a common grain often used for animal feed and bread. דָּגָן (dagan, H1715) — a general term for grain or cereal.

Word Details