Lentiles, also spelled "lentils," are small, lens-shaped legumes that have been cultivated since ancient times. They are a staple food in the Middle East and are mentioned several times in the Bible, indicating their significance in the diet and culture of biblical peoples.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 25:29-34: The most notable mention of lentiles in the Bible is in the account of Esau and Jacob. Esau, returning famished from the field, sells his birthright to his brother Jacob for a meal of bread and lentil stew. The passage reads: "Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. He said to Jacob, 'Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.' (That is why he was also called Edom.) 'First sell me your birthright,' Jacob replied. 'Look,' said Esau, 'I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?' But Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright. Then Jacob gave him some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank, and then got up and went on his way. So Esau despised his birthright" .

2. 2 Samuel 23:11-12: Lentiles are also mentioned in the context of a battle. Shammah, one of David's mighty warriors, defended a field of lentiles against the Philistines. The passage states: "And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentiles, and the people fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the middle of the plot and defended it, and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory" .

3. Ezekiel 4:9: Lentiles are included in the list of ingredients for a symbolic bread that the prophet Ezekiel is instructed to make. The verse reads: "Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a single vessel and make them into bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side" .

Cultural and Nutritional Significance:

Lentiles were a common food in the ancient Near East, valued for their nutritional content. They are rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making them an important part of the diet. The biblical references to lentiles highlight their role as a basic and sustaining food source.

In the account of Esau and Jacob, the lentil stew represents a moment of impulsive decision-making, where Esau prioritizes immediate physical hunger over his long-term spiritual inheritance. This narrative underscores the importance of valuing spiritual blessings over temporary, earthly needs.

The account of Shammah defending a field of lentiles illustrates the significance of agricultural produce in sustaining a community and the valor associated with protecting one's resources from enemy forces.

Overall, lentiles in the Bible serve as a symbol of sustenance, cultural heritage, and the choices between spiritual and physical priorities.(Hebrews `adashim), a species of vetch (Genesis 25:34; 2 Samuel 23:11), common in Syria under the name addas. The red pottage made by Jacob was of lentils (Genesis 25:29-34). They were among the provisions brought to David when he fled from Absalom (2 Samuel 17:28). It is the Ervum lens of Linnaeus, a leguminous plant which produces a fruit resembling a bean.

Jacob and Esau
... Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and
rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon vi jacob and esau.htm

A Bad Bargain
... Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and
rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.' GENESIS xxv.27 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a bad bargain.htm

Rule for Interpreting those Sayings and Actions which are Ascribed ...
... And any sane man would prefer eating fish after the manner of our Lord, to eating
lentiles after the manner of Esau, or barley after the manner of oxen. ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 12 rule for interpreting those.htm

A Revelation on the Trial of Perfect Chastity.
... demons with whom he had fought openly and for a long while; and when some holy men
had come to him, he was preparing for them a porridge of lentiles which they ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter x a revelation on.htm

Of the Things Mystically Prefigured in Esau and Jacob.
... primacy of the elder was transferred to the younger by a bargain and agreement between
them, when the elder immoderately lusted after the lentiles the younger ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 37 of the things mystically.htm

There is Another Evil of the Day, which I Would were Sufficient ...
... I know also that Esau was deceived by lusting for lentiles; and that David blamed
himself for desiring a draught of water; and that our King was tempted, not ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxxi there is another.htm

About to Speak of the Temptations of the Lust of the Flesh, He ...
... I know, too, that Esau was deceived by a longing for lentiles, [913] and that David
took blame to himself for desiring water, [914] and that our King was ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxxi about to speak of.htm

He Compares the Doctrine of the Platonists Concerning the Logos ...
... Egyptian food, lost his birthright; and so the Jewish people, of whom it is said
they turned back in heart to Egypt, in a manner craved for lentiles, and lost ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ix he compares the doctrine.htm

Lentiles (4 Occurrences)
... It is the Ervum lens of Linnaeus, a leguminous plant which produces a fruit resembling
a bean. Multi-Version Concordance Lentiles (4 Occurrences). ...
/l/lentiles.htm - 8k

Lentils (4 Occurrences)
... len'-tilz ('adhashim; phakos; Genesis 25:34 2 Samuel 17:28; 2 Samuel 23:11; Ezekiel
4:9; the King James Version Lentiles): These are undoubtedly identical with ...
/l/lentils.htm - 9k

Lentil (1 Occurrence)

/l/lentil.htm - 6k

Fitches (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 4:9 Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles,
and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread ...
/f/fitches.htm - 9k

Riseth (165 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:34 and Jacob hath given to Esau bread and pottage of lentiles, and he
eateth, and drinketh, and riseth, and goeth; and Esau despiseth the birthright ...
/r/riseth.htm - 37k

Roasted (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 17:28 couch, and basin, and earthen vessel, and wheat, and barley, and
flour, and roasted 'corn', and beans, and lentiles, and roasted 'pulse', (YLT ...
/r/roasted.htm - 10k

Eateth (81 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:34 and Jacob hath given to Esau bread and pottage of lentiles, and he
eateth, and drinketh, and riseth, and goeth; and Esau despiseth the birthright ...
/e/eateth.htm - 31k

Drinketh (33 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:34 and Jacob hath given to Esau bread and pottage of lentiles, and he
eateth, and drinketh, and riseth, and goeth; and Esau despiseth the birthright ...
/d/drinketh.htm - 16k

Despiseth (23 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:34 and Jacob hath given to Esau bread and pottage of lentiles, and he
eateth, and drinketh, and riseth, and goeth; and Esau despiseth the birthright ...
/d/despiseth.htm - 13k

Birth-right (9 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he
ate and drank, and rose and went his way: thus Esau despised his birth-right. ...
/b/birth-right.htm - 9k

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